Toothbrushing is such an ingrained habit, few people think twice about it. But as with any habit, you can get sloppy, and that can lead to cavities and gum disease.

Here, dentists and oral health experts point out 10 common toothbrushing mistakes and how to fix them.

Toothbrushing Mistake No. 1: Not Using the Right Toothbrush

Consider the size of your mouth when picking a toothbrush, says Richard H. Price, DMD, the consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. "If you are straining to open wide enough to let the brush in, the brush is probably too big," he says.

''The handle has to be comfortable," he says. It should feel as comfortable as holding a fork when you eat.

"The more comfortable it is in your mouth and your hand, then the more likely you will use it and use it properly," he says.

Which is the better toothbrush: Electric or manual?

"It's an individual preference," says Michael Sesemann, DDS, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an Omaha dentist.  "A person who brushes well with a manual will do as well as a person who brushes well with an electric."

Price agrees. "It's not the toothbrush, it's the brusher."

Toothbrushing Mistake No. 2: Not Picking the Right Bristle

Some toothbrushes have angled bristles, others straight. So is one type better? Dentists interviewed by WebMD say no.

''It's more related to technique than the way the bristles come out," says Sesemann.

What is important when buying a toothbrush? Bristles that are too stiff can aggravate the gums. The ADA recommends a soft-bristled brush.

''Bristles should be sturdy enough to remove plaque but not hard enough to damage [the teeth] when used properly," Price says. He doesn't recommend "natural" bristles such as those made from animal hair or boar bristle.

Toothbrushing Mistake No. 3: Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough

Softly brushing your teeth at least twice a day is recommended, ''Three times a day is best," Sesemann says.

With too much time between brushings, he says, bacterial plaque will build up, boosting the risk of gum inflammation and other problems.

Brushing should last at least two minutes, Sesemann tells WebMD. Three minutes is even better, Price says.

Most people fall short of both time lines, Sesemann says. "It's an arbitrary number, but it's just so people take the time to clean all the surfaces." He often recommends people divide the mouth into quadrants and spend 30 seconds a quadrant. Some toothbrushes include built-in timers.  

To make the two minutes go faster, Sesemann says he ''multitasks,'' fitting in a little TV viewing as he brushes.

Toothbrushing Mistake No. 4: Brushing Too Often or Too Hard

While brushing your teeth three times a day is ideal, more may not be, Sesemann says. "More than four toothbrushings a day would begin to seem compulsive," he says.

Excessive brushing could expose the root of the tooth to irritation, and that could in turn irritate the gums. Brushing vigorously can also erode tooth enamel. The trick is to brush very gently for two to three minutes.