Although many of us think that we maintain good oral hygiene at home, we may not be even aware of some of the things that can render oral care less effective. Here are some of the dental oral health pitfalls that you need to avoid.
INSUFFICIENT BRUSHING
An estimated 31% of Americans fail to brush their teeth twice a day. Out of these, many do not even brush their teeth once a day. When brushing your teeth, it is important that you brush long enough to adequately remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
At Geelan Dental Care, Aron Geelan, DMD and recommend that you should brush your teeth for about two minutes twice day.
INPROPER BRUSHING
Even if you diligently brush your teeth twice a day, it may not be very effective if you are doing it wrong. When brushing your teeth, you need to make sure you clean 100% of the surface of your tooth. Angle your brush at 30 to 40 degrees angle so that the bristles can clean every nook and cranny of your teeth.
Quickly brushing your teeth can leave plaque on your teeth. On the other hand, prolonged and aggressive brushing can damage your gums and enamel.
NOT USING THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH
Toothbrushes come in a range of sizes, thickness, and bristles. We recommend using a toothbrush with small heads and soft bristles. It is also important to replace your toothbrush every three months and to replace it when you have recovered from a sickness.
NOT FLOSSING
Only about 30% of Americans remember to floss their teeth every day. Flossing once a day is necessary as it gets rid of food debris and plaque in between your teeth, beneath the gumline and other places that a toothbrush is too big to reach.
That is why it is important to floss at least once a day.
CONSUMING SUGARY FOOD
The American diet is filled with sugars and starches, especially sugary drinks like sodas can wreak havoc on your teeth. In order to maintain good dental health, you should limit the intake of soda and reduce the consumption of other sugar-laden foods.
Even if you exercise excellent oral care at home, it is just as important to go for a routine dental checkup every six months. Regular dental checkups can identify red flags and nip them in the bud before they have a chance to grow into bigger issues that may require expensive, more invasive treatments.
To schedule a dental checkup appointment with us, call us at (503) 223-1322 today.