During your initial visit, your dentist in Wilson will ask you questions about your oral health, including your dental hygiene practices. Unfortunately, many patients lie about their lifestyles to avoid embarrassment. But, if you’re not being honest, your dentist won’t be able to correct your mistakes. You could unknowingly jeopardize your oral health if you continue to observe unhealthy habits.
The best way to protect yourself against tooth decay, infection, gum disease, and tooth loss are to ensure that what you’re practicing at home is ideal and is based on the standards set by the American Dental Association. Knowing your mistakes is the first step toward achieving your dental goals. 
Oral Care Mistakes You Should Avoid
You Don’t Value Good Oral Health
The saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” holds true once you experience it yourself. Like your teeth, for example. Even though they call them “permanent teeth,” it doesn’t mean they’ll permanently stay where they are until you’re old. You could lose them forever if you don’t practice good oral hygiene.
Without your teeth, you won’t be able to chew foods properly. Pronouncing certain words can be difficult, if not impossible, and your smile will never be the same. You can avoid the ugly consequences of tooth loss if you follow your dentist’s recommendation by establishing an oral care routine and incorporating it into your day-to-day life.
You’re Using the Wrong Brushing Technique
Are you guilty of brushing too hard because you think it will make your teeth cleaner? On the contrary, vigorous brushing is counterproductive, especially if you use a toothbrush with stiff bristles. These two are recipes for disaster. Studies show that it can result in bleeding gums, premature enamel erosion, gum recession, and tooth sensitivity.
The purpose of brushing is to remove plaque and food debris on your teeth’s surface. Unless plaque is calcified, mild brushing is enough to remove them. You don’t need to go all out and scrub like there’s no tomorrow.
When you brush, angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees – at the point where your gums and teeth meet. Then gently move your brush in a circular motion, ensuring you cover all areas of your teeth. The ideal brushing duration is two minutes. Make sure to divide the time into all four quadrants equally.
You’re Using the Wrong Toothpaste
With so many brands available, which one should you choose? Ads can greatly influence consumers’ buying behavior, but dentists suggest research will go a long way when it comes to your teeth. Dental health experts prefer you check if that particular brand is approved by the FDA and has the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. These validations will assure you that the product is safe and effective in keeping cavities away.
If you’re still confused, you can consult your dentist on what toothpaste to use based on your needs. Patients with cavities are advised to choose a fluoride-based toothpaste, while those with gingivitis should select a toothpaste to reduce gum inflammation.
You Don’t Like to Floss
Trust us; many aren’t fans of flossing too! Flossing is more complicated and tedious than brushing, which is why people skip this part of their oral care. Unfortunately, brushing alone will not eliminate bacteria and plaque hiding in the narrow spaces between your teeth. The bristles can’t reach that far.
The best way to remove them is to floss all your teeth so you won’t have to deal with oral issues later.
You Rush Brushing
We get you’re busy, but no matter how crazy your schedule is, it won’t hurt to spend two minutes brushing your teeth. If you brush too fast, you will not be able to clean your teeth thoroughly, which means your efforts are pretty useless because you’ll still be at risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
When you brush, make it count. Besides ensuring that your strokes are correct, you should also time yourself. The ideal brushing time is a full two minutes. When you brush long enough to reach two minutes, you’ll be able to get rid of bacteria and plaque that could potentially cause major oral issues.
Tooth Pain Is the Only Reason Why You Should See the Dentist
When was the last time you saw your dentist? One misconception about dental appointments is that you only visit once you start experiencing oral problems like tooth pain or bleeding gums. The truth is you should regularly see your dentist. Regular dental visits are an integral part of maintaining good oral health.
How often should you visit your dentist? Usually, it should be once every six months, but that depends on the state of your oral health.
If you have a high risk for cavities or exhibit early signs of gum disease, your dentist may request more frequent visits to control the problem. During these visits, your dentist can thoroughly examine your mouth and look for signs of cavities, tooth decay, periodontal disease, vitamin deficiencies, acid reflux, teeth grinding, and oral cancer.
Looking for a Dentist in Wilson?
When you avoid these mistakes, the only reason why you need to see your dentist is for preventive maintenance. At Tyron Family Dentistry, we offer comprehensive dental treatments tailored to your needs. We enjoy building long-term relationships with our patients, and you will love the personalized attention you receive. Contact us today for an appointment.
