Dental Hygiene Mistakes You May Be Making

Practicing good dental hygiene is an important part of taking care of your overall health.

Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, you could be making some dental hygiene mistakes that might increase your chance of developing cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. Read on to find out how you can make a positive change in your routine!

Brushing Too Hard

Using too much pressure when you’re brushing can damage the enamel of your teeth and harm your gums, weakening teeth, increasing tooth sensitivity, and receding gums. Use a soft toothbrush with just enough pressure to remove food particles and plaque.

Brushing Frequency

Many people brush their teeth too often, infrequently, or not at all. Too much brushing can wear away tooth enamel and gums just like brushing too hard or with a brush that’s too firm. Not brushing at all is even worse. Ideally, you should brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and evening, for two minutes per session.

Not Using Floss

Flossing is an important part of proper dental hygiene. It’s needed to clean the food debris and plaque from areas that you can’t reach with a toothbrush. It’s best to use traditional string floss or a quality water pic rather than plastic floss picks as they do a more thorough cleaning job and are less likely to transfer bacteria from one place to another.

Using The Wrong Toothpaste

Look for toothpaste brands that carry the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval to ensure acceptable standards. You should also ask your dentist for their recommendation of which products you should use.

Brushing Right After Eating

When you’ve eaten foods with a high acid content, that acid remains in your mouth for a certain amount of time, and brushing right forces the acid deeper into your enamel. It’s best to wait at least 30 minutes to allow the acid to dissipate.

Not Getting Routine Checkups

Too many people wait until they’re in pain before going to their dentist, by which time the damage is done. It’s important to have a dental checkup every six months to discover problems early before they get worse.

Stay On Top of Your Oral Health

Dr. Egger of Mount Pleasant Dentistry brings decades of experience to his practice. You can turn to him for all types of care, including tooth-colored fillings, periodontal treatment, and restorative dental bridges and implants.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Egger in Mount Pleasant, MI, contact our office at 989-773-3560.