Most people are taught from a young age about the benefits of brushing their teeth on a regular basis. Still, even if you know that you should brush your teeth twice a day, some people make mistakes when it comes to the proper use of their brush without even knowing. Here are three common mistakes people make while brushing and what you can do to improve your own oral care.

Not Brushing Long Enough

Brushing twice a day is great, but it doesn't count if you just put the brush in your mouth for 30 seconds and then move on. You should take the time to make sure that every tooth gets the attention it needs. Three minutes is generally a good amount of time to spend brushing.

Brushing Flat Against The Gumline

A lot of bacteria often develops along the gumline. In order to make sure you are handling this problem spot, make sure you angle your toothbrush towards you gums in order to get the most effective results. Holding your brush flat will not remove as much plaque and bacteria from this spot in your mouth.

Not Replacing Your Brush Often Enough

When your dentist tells you to replace your brush every three months, he or she is not just trying to push product. Over time, your toothbrush will retain a certain amount of all of that bacteria that its removing from your mouth. Eventually, if you wait too long before replacements, you are essentially putting a brush covered in bacteria back inside your mouth every time you brush. Yuck.

Taking It Too Hard

A mistake people often make when they decide they want to start brushing better is to go in with a little too much zeal. You want to use a soft bristle brush and brush gently. Pushing too hard can actually hurt your tooth enamel and gums. Don't worry, the bacteria is still be removed even if you're not murdering your mouth with your brush.

Brushing twice a day is a great idea, but make sure you're not making another one of these mistakes that could undo the benefits of your regular oral care routine. Brush for at least three minutes each time, angle the brush against the gumline to get rid of the most plaque, brush gently, not hard and don't forget to replace your brush every three months or so. For more toothbrush tips, contact your local dentist for advice.