Dental Habits that are Surprisingly Bad for Teeth

Dental Habits that are Surprisingly Bad for Teeth

Dental Habits that are Surprisingly Bad for Teeth

teeth-brushing

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You may think that you’re taking the best possible care of your teeth. Perhaps you visit your dentist twice each year for an examination and cleaning. You may avoid enamel damaging foods or drinks and brush and floss regularly. Yet, there are likely some dental habits you still have that you weren’t even aware could damage your pearly whites. Even products specifically designed for the health of teeth and gums can have a much different effect if used improperly.

Below, you’ll find four of the most common dental habits that may also be wreaking havoc on your oral health. Fortunately, most of these require only a small change on your part in order to prevent future damage, and by making some simple adjustments, you can feel completely confident in your smile!

Brushing Incorrectly

Brushing twice daily is the single most important step in maintaining oral health and hygiene. However, brushing incorrectly can be harmful and may not effectively ward off issues such as bad breath and tooth decay.

  • What Should You Do?
    Take care not to brush too vigorously, and use proper form. Rather than using back and forth strokes, brush teeth in a gentle, circular motion to preserve the base of the tooth and gum line. Additionally, you should take care to ensure that you are focusing adequate time on all areas of the mouth. Do this by dividing the mouth into four sections and brushing each for 30 seconds. Finish up by scraping your tongue and rinsing with cool water.

Using the Wrong Toothbrush

Just as brushing too forcefully can be harmful to teeth, using the wrong kind of toothbrush may be as well. Furthermore, not replacing your toothbrush frequently enough may result in exposure to any number of harmful bacteria.

  • What Should You Do?
    Choose a soft or extra soft toothbrush that will clean effectively without being unnecessarily abrasive to your teeth and gums, and find one with a smaller head to make cleaning in difficult to reach places easier. You should also replace your toothbrush about every three months to ensure that it remains sanitary.

Using Toothpicks

Toothpicks can be an effective tool for removing food from between teeth after a meal. However, it’s also easy to use these too aggressively, resulting in gum damage.

  • What Should You Do?
    Carry dental floss with you as an alternative to toothpicks after eating. Floss will efficiently remove any particles stuck between teeth and is less likely to result in damage. If you do decide to use a toothpick, do so by holding it lightly, thereby preventing your ability to use it too forcefully.

Whitening With Baking Soda

It’s an old trick that many people have tried at some time or another, and while it can be effective, baking soda can also be abrasive on tooth enamel. Using this trick too often can have adverse side effects.

  • What Should You Do?
    If you must use baking soda, do so sparingly. However, ADA recommended toothpastes and professional whitening treatments are a preferable means by which to keep your smile bright.

Keeping your teeth and gums as healthy as possible not only requires proper oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing, but it also calls for avoiding potentially harmful practices. Habits such as smoking and drinking coffee are well known culprits of some common dental concerns. However, as these examples show, there are some recommended practices which can also be damaging when not performed correctly.

Ask your dentist for his or her advice on best practices for keeping your smile healthy, and be sure to visit them at least twice a year. If you are in the Baton Rouge area, contact Dr. Aimee Russo at The Smile Spa to schedule a consultation to address any concerns that you may have. Simply click here, or call us directly at (225) 292-7645.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]