4 DENTAL HYGIENE MISTAKES THAT CAN HARM YOUR ORAL HEALTH

Home dental hygiene serves as your first line of defense against common dental and oral diseases. Between those important professional dental

exams and cleanings, your home care practices can minimize plaque accumulation and help maintain strong tooth enamel.

However, even the most careful and concerned individuals can do more harm than good if they pursue their dental hygiene regimen incorrectly. If you want to get the most out of your everyday oral wellness efforts, eliminate these four dental hygiene mistakes from your routine and replace them with healthier alternatives.

1. Tooth Brushing Technicalities

Many people think of tooth brushing as a mundane activity that doesn't merit any special thought, brushing their teeth in whatever manner they learned in childhood or using whatever technique seems to remove food particles. Unfortunately, incorrect tooth brushing can make you more vulnerable to dental problems.

Aggressive brushing can harm your mouth in multiple ways, especially if you compound this error by using a firm-bristled toothbrush instead of a gentler soft-bristled model. The excessive force can contribute to enamel loss, making your teeth hypersensitive, while also causing your gums to recede and expose the tooth roots.

If you scrub your teeth with a simple back-and-forth motion, you may clean the tooth surfaces without also removing plaque from the gum line. This error allows bacteria to trigger inflammation and periodontal disease. Placing the toothbrush at an angle and gently sweeping vertically, away from the gum line, yields better results.

2. Flossing Errors

Flossing complements brushing in your dental hygiene regimen by removing debris between teeth and near the gum line that a toothbrush can't easily reach. However, this practice can be ineffective or even destructive if the wrong technique or product fails to remove food particles and/or irritates your gums.

Start by making sure that your choice of dental floss suits you. For example, if you have unusually tight spaces between your teeth, you may miss certain spots, which then develop tooth decay or gum disease. Ask your dentist whether you should purchase a particular type of extra-thin floss.

Don't make the mistake of scrubbing your teeth with the floss or jamming the floss down into your gums. A rough flossing technique can cause gum irritation and bleeding without providing any special benefits. Always floss gently and carefully, moving the plaque away from the gum line and out of the teeth without pressing on the gums.

3. Mouth Rinsing Problems

You'll find a wide range of mouthwashes available to help you rinse out your mouth and freshen your breath. Some mouthwashes boast ingredients known to kill oral bacteria, giving you additional protection against gum disease and tooth decay. Even so, you should choose your products carefully and use them wisely.

Some mouthwashes include alcohol as their antibacterial ingredient. Although the American Dental Association has deemed alcohol-based mouthwashes safe and effective, alcohol can also raise your risk for oral cancer. Consider alternating an alcohol-based mouthwash with non-alcoholic alternatives to minimize this risk.

Even water can rinse out your mouth to a useful degree by helping to dislodge or dissolve bits of food debris. If you have just brushed your teeth, however, you may want to wait a few minutes before rinsing with water. If you rinse immediately after brushing, you'll remove beneficial traces of fluoride from the toothpaste prematurely.

4. Insufficient Fluoride

Speaking of fluoride, your choice of toothpaste, oral rinse, and even everyday water can either help or hurt your dental hygiene. Cities typically add fluoride to tap water due to its ability to help support strong bones and teeth. However, not every toothpaste or other oral care product includes this vital ingredient.

Always read the label to make sure you buy a toothpaste that includes sodium fluoride as its active ingredient. If you prefer a toothpaste that doesn't contain fluoride, accompany it with an oral rinse that does. When you rinse your mouth with water, use tap water instead of bottled water.

Carlino & Paton DDS PC can offer a wealth of guidance to help you improve your dental wellness. Contact them today for more information.