Oral hygiene is a significant part of a healthy lifestyle. Brushing your teeth twice daily is essential to prevent plaque buildup and maintain good oral health. However, even with daily brushing, most people miss some crucial spots in their mouth.

Here are the critical things people usually miss while brushing their teeth.

1. Tongue Cleaning

While brushing, most people neglect their tongue, leaving behind bacteria that cause bad breath. Cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper or toothbrush is essential to prevent bad breath and other oral health issues.

Brushing your tongue gently in a back and forth motion will remove the bacteria and improve your breath.

2. Inner Surfaces of Teeth

Typically, people focus on brushing the chewing surfaces and outer surfaces of their teeth. However, the inner surfaces of teeth are just as important. Not cleaning the inner surfaces can cause plaque buildup and tooth decay.

To clean your inner surfaces, angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees and stroke the brush up and down, making sure to clean the upper and lower teeth.

3. Gum Line

The gum line is where the teeth and gums meet. It’s essential to clean this area since it’s where plaque and bacteria build up, leading to gingivitis and other gum diseases.

To clean your gum line, angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees and place the bristles under the gum line, gently brushing back and forth.

4. Back Teeth

Back teeth or molars are often missed while brushing, leading to plaque buildup and other oral health issues. The best way to clean your back teeth is by angling the toothbrush at 45 degrees and brushing back and forth in small circular motions.

5. Brushing for the Right Amount of Time

Most people do not brush their teeth for the recommended two minutes. The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends that you brush your teeth for two minutes, twice daily.

Brushing for the right amount of time ensures that you remove all the bacteria and food particles from your teeth and gums.

6. Using the Right Amount of Pressure

Applying too much pressure while brushing can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Brushing too hard can cause receding gums and tooth sensitivity. Similarly, not applying enough pressure while brushing can leave bacteria on your teeth.

Brush your teeth gently but with enough pressure to remove food particles and bacteria.

7. Not Rinsing Your Mouth After Brushing

Rinsing your mouth after brushing may seem like a good idea, but it can reduce the effectiveness of your toothpaste.

The reason is that rinsing washes away the fluoride and other active ingredients in your toothpaste, which helps fight tooth decay and strengthens your teeth. Instead of rinsing, spit the toothpaste into the sink and leave the rest on your teeth and gums to keep working.

8. Using the Right Toothbrush

Using the right toothbrush is critical for effective cleaning. A toothbrush with bristles that are too hard can damage your teeth and gums, while a brush with bristles that are too soft may not clean properly.

The ideal toothbrush has soft bristles that can reach all the surfaces of your teeth and gums.

9. Not Replacing Your Toothbrush Often Enough

Replacing your toothbrush is essential to maintain good oral hygiene. Toothbrushes that are more than three months old may harbor bacteria and other germs. The bristles may also become frayed and less effective in cleaning your teeth.

It’s recommended to replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

10. Using the Right Brushing Technique

Using the right brushing technique while brushing your teeth is critical for effective cleaning. The ADA recommends that you place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Then, gently brush back and forth in short strokes.

Be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth and gums, including the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces.