10 Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes, According to Dentists

Do you know how to take care of your teeth? If you’re like most people, you probably believe that you have it all under control. If you’re guilty of any of the common mistakes on this list, though, you may need to rethink your oral hygiene routine.

  • Mistake #1: Brushing only once a day. Often, people only brush in the morning, when they want to face the day with fresh breath. Night brushing is important, though, to remove the debris of the day from your teeth and prevent the growth of tooth-decaying bacteria.
  • Mistake #2: Brushing too hard. Harder isn’t better: experts recommend gentle brushing with a soft-headed toothbrush. If you brush too hard, you can damage your gums and wear down your enamel.
  • Mistake #3: Brushing too briefly. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes to thoroughly remove tartar and biofilms that can lead to plaque, cavities, and bad breath. Having trouble remembering to brush so long? Buy a toothbrush with a built-in timer, or set a timer on your phone.
  • Mistake #4: Skipping the floss. Some people think mouthwash is an adequate substitute for flossing, but it’s not. Mouthwash is a great addition to your oral health routine and does a good job of disinfecting the oral cavity, but floss is needed to rid the mouth of oral debris.
  • Mistake #5: Using only floss picks. Floss picks are convenient, but they’re not as effective as string floss or water flossers at removing bacteria from the mouth.
  • Mistake #6: Avoiding floss for fear of blood. If your gums bleed when you floss, it means you need to floss more, not less. If you floss more, your gums will bleed less and you’ll see improvement in your oral health.
  • Mistake #7: Consuming sugary drinks. Skip the sodas and energy drinks. If you need a boost of caffeine, opt for green or black tea to avoid the sugar that feeds bacteria.
  • Mistake #8: Buying cheap toothpaste. Make sure you’re buying toothpaste with the American Dental Academy (ADA) seal of approval.
  • Mistake #9: Using unapproved whiteners. Whiteners that aren’t approved by the ADA can cause issues like sensitivity and damage, or they might not work at all.
  • Mistake #10: Avoiding the dentist. Seeing the dentist every six months can help you catch small problems before they become major issues.

If you’re looking for a reliable dentist, look to Glenwood Premier Dental, where we believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Our staff of caring professionals offers a wide range of dental services, working to exceed our patients’ expectations, and provide the best possible service. We offer dental exams and teeth cleanings, implant dentistry, Invisalign, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, and more, using state of the art technology in a comfortable and friendly environment. If you’re looking for dental care in Hazlet, contact us through our website or call 732.264.4477.