4 Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes That People Make

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Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes

Did you know that according to the CDC over 80% of people end up having had at least one cavity by the time they’re 34? That may sound shocking, but it is indicative of a very real problem: People make a lot of mistakes when it comes to their oral hygiene.

Assuming you’d rather not end up in the same boat, a good first step is to look at some of the more common oral hygiene mistakes and make sure that you avoid them:

  • Not brushing for long enough

Brushing too quickly is definitely a bad thing, and if you rush through it odds are you won’t be thorough and will end up leave lots of plaque and food particles on your teeth. The back teeth and other problem areas are likely to suffer the most.

As a rule you should always brush for at least 2 minutes during each session. It may help to set up a timer so that you make sure that you are strictly following that guideline and cleaning your teeth effectively.

If you want you could break it down so that you spend a minute on the upper teeth, and a minute on the lower teeth.

  • Scrubbing teeth too hard

As counterintuitive as it may seem, using more force and scrubbing your teeth is not going to help make them any cleaner. Instead all that it will do is actually help to erode the enamel of your teeth, and potentially injure your gums as well.

The goal when you brush should be to gently clean the surface of your teeth. It does not require force, and you should make sure that you use a soft brush as opposed to a hard one too.

  • Drinking too little water

Staying hydrated is important to your general health, and it can have a big impact on your oral hygiene too. It can help to wash away leftover food residue, ensure that you don’t end up with dry mouth, and in most countries drinking water contains fluoride that is good for your teeth.

Suffice to say you should take steps to make sure that you’re drinking enough water every day. Try to make sure that you’re taking in at least 2 liters a day, and you should be off to a good start.

  • Skipping regular dental appointments

Have you ever skipped one of your regular dental appointments? Do you normally postpone some of them because you feel that there’s nothing wrong and no reason to go for a checkup?

The reason why regular dental appointments are so important is because they will let your dentist check the condition of your teeth and catch any issues early. If you start to skip or delay them, it will mean that issues will only be identified later on when they start to worsen.

To put it simply, you need to make sure you go for your regular appointments – at least once every six months.

Keep in mind that the mistakes listed above are the most common oral hygiene mistakes that people generally make. If you want more specific advice you should talk to dentists in Bristol or in a location nearby, as they’ll be able to pinpoint any of your mistakes after giving you a checkup.

In the long term taking good care of your oral hygiene is definitely more than worthwhile. Not only will it ensure that you are able to maintain your pearly white smile, but it will also help you to avoid the many other health issues that are linked to it.

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