Taking care of your teeth should be an important part of your daily routine, but if you’re not doing it right, it could have adverse effects on your dental health. This is why your dentist in McMinnville wants you to know the dos and don’ts of dental care so you can correct any bad habits before they do more harm than good.
Avoiding Floss
Flossing is one of the most important parts of good dental care. However, one study showed that more than 45% of people floss only weekly, and 58% of people don’t floss at all! That’s a whole lot of missed bacteria that can increase the risk of cavities and other dental problems. In fact, when you don’t floss your teeth, you miss out on cleaning nearly 40% of tooth surfaces. This is why it’s so important to floss in between each and every tooth every day.
Snapping Your Floss
When it comes to flossing, there’s a proper technique that should be followed to not only clean your teeth but to do so in a way that doesn’t cause damage. One of the main things patients do that can cause damage is snap floss between teeth instead of gliding it gently in and out. While snapping floss might be a convenient way to get the floss in between each tooth, it can cause micro-tears in the gum tissue. Over time, these tears can lead to pockets of infection within the gums.
Brushing Then Flossing
It’s not uncommon for patients to floss after they brush their teeth. But research published by the Journal of Periodontology suggests that flossing then brushing may be the best way to remove plaque and bacteria. If you brush your teeth first and get a squeaky-clean mouth, then decide to remove bacteria from between teeth by flossing, you might just put bacteria from your mouth back onto your teeth.
Brushing Too Hard
Outside of flossing mistakes, there are some definite brushing mistakes that your dentist in McMinnville sees every day. One of the most common is brushing your teeth too hard. For best results, don’t brush with pressure, and there’s no need to scrub. Simply hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently move it in circular motions over your teeth. This will thoroughly clean your teeth without damaging the enamel or gums.
Brushing Too Often
You should brush your teeth twice a day, ideally in the morning and before bed. While there may be times where you feel like you need to brush more, know that brushing too much can actually harm dental health by causing enamel erosion and leading to teeth sensitivity. Stick to brushing twice a day for two minutes each time.
Skipping Dental Appointments
Besides taking care of your teeth at home, you also need to see your dentist in McMinnville twice a year for preventive checkups and professional dental cleanings. Missing regular dental checkups not only puts your teeth at risk but can also increase your chances of developing gum disease.
It’s important to take care of your teeth in order to prevent dental problems such as cavities and gum disease. The best way to do that is by brushing properly twice a day, flossing thoroughly once a day, and seeing your dentist in McMinnville every six months. If you’re overdue for a dental appointment, schedule an appointment today!
