4 Mistakes You're Probably Making When It Comes to Oral Health

The way you take care of your teeth and mouth will have a great impact on your overall oral health. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing every day will usually result in teeth that are strong and healthy; however, it's easy to make some simple mistakes in your oral care routine, or even with your everyday diet, that affect your oral health and damage your teeth and gums. Note a few of those mistakes here so you can avoid them at home and ensure that your oral health is protected:

Drying agents

Many oral care products will cause severe dryness in the mouth, and this can be dangerous and damaging to your teeth and gums; the mouth needs moisture and saliva to rinse away germs, bacteria, and food particles. In fact, you should be doing what you can to stimulate saliva production and keep your mouth moist, not dry it out! Products with alcohol, such as mouthwashes and rinses, or harsh scrubbing products will all dry the mouth and allow plaque to build up. Drinking too much alcohol can do the same; consider always brush your teeth after having a few drinks, to help keep the mouth properly hydrated.

Picks

Sharp picks can actually puncture the gums and cause them to bleed, or to separate from the teeth. Even picks meant for dental care can be too sharp and difficult to use correctly and safely. Avoid using toothpicks and items not even meant for cleaning the teeth, such as table knives or silverware, and only use floss to remove food particles from the teeth.

Harsh scrubbing

Doing a thorough job of brushing and scrubbing your teeth is recommended, but some people take this part of their oral care routine too far and scrub their teeth too harshly. This can erode the protective enamel of the teeth and irritate your gums. Use a toothbrush with medium bristles, not hard bristles, and don't brush for more than a few minutes, to avoid this irritation.

Seeing the dentist

One major mistake that many people make when it comes to their oral care routine is not seeing their dentist regularly, perhaps reasoning that their teeth look and feel fine, so there's no reason for such an appointment. However, a dentist can examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer or other health issues and can x-ray the teeth to find any developing cavities that are not readily visible. He or she can also note if you're making mistakes to your oral care routine, such as scrubbing away your enamel, as mentioned above.

About Me

Dealing with Dental Braces

Yo! My name is Sarah. I live in Syndey, Australia. A couple of years ago, I was fitted with dental braces. I was 21 years old at the time and I hated the idea of wearing braces. However, my dentist was really good at explaining why it was a good idea to have the treatment. It felt a little strange at first but as time went by, I got used to wearing my braces. On follow-up visits, my dentist would check that I had been properly cleaning and caring for my braces. I decided to start this blog to offer advice to other brace wearers.

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