Habits like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing every day, limiting sugar intake, avoiding tobacco, and scheduling routine examinations will protect your teeth from unwanted plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay and other painful problems. But did you know that brushing your teeth regularly will only be effective if your toothbrush is in good condition? Here are our answers to common questions that ensure your toothbrush is doing its job and your mouth stays healthy.

You may be taking great care of your oral health—or so you think. You brush every day, you floss your teeth, you get your teeth cleaned regularly, so you’ve got it made. But what if your oral hygiene practices were actually harmful? At Anderson and Atkins Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we want you to know how to take care of your mouth correctly, which includes avoiding common mistakes. Below are the top five mistakes most people make when it comes to dental hygiene.

You use your toothbrush twice a day every day, but do you give it much thought? Do you browse the toothbrush aisle in the same way you browse for a new pair of shoes? Probably not. In most cases, we grab a toothbrush, use it every day, but don’t consider whether or not it’s effectively cleaning our teeth.