It's not exactly a newsflash that one of the most important reasons to brush your teeth is to fight off cavities (not to mention prevent bad breath). But what if the way you brush your teeth actually makes you more susceptible to cavities, tooth decay and gum disease? Scary.

　　刷牙的最重要原因是拒绝虫牙(别再说是预防口臭)，这已经不是新闻了。但是要是你刷牙的方式实际上更容易让你的牙齿蛀牙，产生牙齿蛀蚀和得牙龈疾病呢?这就很可怕了。

　　Turns out, there are a host of common mistakes that many of us make morning and night that can damage teeth and turn a healthy smile upside-down. Find out what you're doing wrong -- and how to break these bad habits for better teeth.

　　事实证明，我们在早晚刷牙中会犯很多普遍的错误伤害我们的牙齿，让我们的微笑都打上了不健康的记号。找出你错在哪里—然后为了让牙齿更健康，应该怎么丢掉这些恶习。

　　1.You don't brush for long enough.

　　1.你刷牙时间不够。

　　Most dentists recommend brushing for two or three minutes, but few people ever make it to that. Next time, check your watch to see how long your routine takes.

　　大多数的牙医都建议人们刷牙要刷两到三分钟，但是很少有人能做到。下一次，盯着手表看看你花了多少时间。

　　2.You're not watching what you're doing.

　　2.并未专注自己在干什么

　　Make a point to look in the mirror while you brush your teeth and see where the brush is actually going. It's easy to miss the area right at the gum line, which is the most important part.

　　在刷牙的时候，对着镜子注意一下你的牙刷刷在了什么地方。我们很容易漏刷牙龈那一部分，这是最重要的一部分。

　　3.Your technique needs a major makeover.

　　3.你的刷牙方法需要有大改变。

　　Hold the brush so the bristles are at a 45-degree angle to the surface of the teeth and brush in small circles. Focus on a few teeth at once, then move on to the next set, continuing around from one side to the other, top and bottom, front and back. It's okay to brush in straight lines on the chewing surfaces. After completing your circles, brush away from the gum line to clear off loosened plaque and bacteria.

　　手握着牙刷，让其同牙齿表面成45°角，以打小圈的方式刷。起先小范围的刷，然后移动到下一个区域，继续从一边移到另一边刷，上下，前后。在牙齿的咀嚼面成直线刷也是可以的。在完成循环刷以后，刷掉分布在牙龈线上的牙龈斑和细菌。