Turns out we've been brushing our teeth wrong
A dentist has just informed us that we've been brushing our teeth wrong this whole time and people can't believe it.
Regular dentist appointments can be pretty costly but, thanks to the power of TikTok, we can pick up some top tips directly from London's Chelsea Dental Clinic (@chelseadentalclinic).
Most recently, one dentist from the clinic has shared the 'common mistakes' that people make when brushing their teeth. Watch the video here:
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Among the list of tooth-brushing errors, the dentist noted that running your toothbrush under the tap before brushing was a no-no.
It turns out that we should all be brushing our teeth with a dry toothbrush, so as not to dilute the toothpaste and reduce its effects.
When you've loaded your dry brush with toothpaste, the next key step is to remember to brush the gum line rather than focusing on just the teeth.
It's an essential step to reduce plaque and food debris from the gumline, and prevent a build-up of bacteria that could cause gum disease or tooth decay.
Another major mishap to avoid if you want to keep your pearly whites looking, well, pearly white, is to avoid rinsing our your mouth straight after brushing.
The same advice can be found on the NHS website.
They advise: "After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects."
Better get used to that minty fresh feeling in your mouth.
And finally, the London-based clinic advised that people aren't 'regularly changing their toothbrush.'
Dental experts Colgate can elaborate on that advice, explaining on their website that we should be replacing our toothbrushes every three to four months.
The household toothpaste brand also suggests: "Consider getting a new toothbrush sooner if you have been sick, especially if the toothbrush is stored close to other toothbrushes.
"When in doubt, look at the bristles. If they are frayed, they won't clean teeth as thoroughly. Because children often brush more rigorously than adults, they may need their toothbrushes replaced more often."
If you were looking for more dental advice, look no further than dentist Anna Peterson.
The expert shocked TikTok users when she warned them that brushing their teeth after breakfast is a habit your should kick ASAP.
"Did you know you shouldn't brush your teeth after breakfast, always before?" she asked in the video.
She went on to explain that this is firstly because when you eat breakfast, your mouth becomes acidic.
"So, what you're doing when you brush your teeth after breakfast is brushing the acid into the tooth," she told viewers. "And this wears away the enamel."
Sounds like we've got a lot of re-learning to do.
Ali Condon