By now, the art of brushing your teeth should be perfected as it's done every day.
But it turns out that many of us are still making errors when polishing our gnashers, with one being confused for a step in the cleaning process. According to one cosmetic dentist, wetting your toothbrush before adding toothpaste is a big no-no and may impact your teeth health.
Dr Sahil Patel, founder of Marylbone Smile Clinic explained that toothpaste is already wet enough and adding extra moisture may make it less effective. The professional explained another dental hygiene mistake and you may be guilty of it too, reports the Mirror.
"If you wet the toothbrush before you put the toothpaste on, you're diluting it," said Dr Patel. "Toothpaste already has the right amount of moisture. If it's wet, it makes it foam up faster and makes you spit it out sooner."
He went on to say that he recommends starting your clean from the back of your teeth. "I'd recommend starting at the back first, which is often the hardest part to clean," he said.
"If you start at the front and do the back last, you're more likely to stop and put it down, missing the back or not cleaning the back properly."
And if you were thinking of stocking up on dental floss, the pro urges you to think again and opt for interdental brushes instead.
He explained: "The bristles that clean between the teeth can get to corners and tricky areas that the toothbrush can't get to clean our plaque, this makes them more effective than floss and they come in many shapes and sizes to ensure a good fit," he added.
This comes after Dr Patel told The Mirror that there are certain outfits you should never wear to dentist appointments. "Try to avoid clothes that are valuable or sentimental as they can be damaged/stained with the water and/or coloured dental materials," he said.
"Try to wear patterned or dark colours, and avoid wearing your work shirt if you're on your lunch break! Avoid turtle necks and high-collared shirts." According to the expert, gym, and loungewear clothes are ideal for dentist appointments.
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