Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes

For your smile to be its best, you have to stay on top of both at-home care and your regular visits to a dentist office like ours at Gateway Dental Care here in Pleasanton, CA. Daily dental hygiene is important, but there are some common oral care mistakes that patients frequently make. We want to help you avoid them.

Avoiding Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes

Your dental health is our number one priority. As your family dentist, we want to point out some mistakes to avoid when it comes to your oral health.

• Not Brushing At Night
• Brushing Too Hard
• Not Brushing Long Enough
• Not Using Quality Toothpaste
• Not Flossing Or Not Flossing Correctly
• Over The Counter Teeth Whitening Products
• Missing Routine Dental Visits

Proper Brushing Techniques

For optimal results when brushing, there are some key points to remember. It’s important to brush two times daily, once in the morning and at night before bed. Most people do their daily morning brushing but end up skipping the evening brushing.

Chase Away Tooth Decay

Throughout the day, food accumulates on and between your teeth. When you sleep, your saliva production decreases dramatically. Bacteria starts to thrive with an ample food supply. The result is an acid secretion that leads to tooth decay.

A Lighter Touch On Those Teeth

A common misconception is that the harder you brush, the better your results. That is actually false. Aggressive brushing can lead to enamel abrasion and gum recession. You can start to experience tooth sensitivity and loss of tooth structure.

If you often brush too hard, you should use a soft head toothbrush or an ADA-approved electric toothbrush which comes standard with a soft head. You might also consider switching to an electric toothbrush that alerts you when you are using too much pressure.

Two Minutes To Get All That Tartar

Proper brushing technique also means brushing for a minimum of two minutes. When you skimp on the time you spend brushing, you can miss teeth. You also don’t adequately remove tarter and film, which can lead to plaque, inflammation, bad breath, and even potentially cavities.

Using an ADA approved toothpaste is essential as well. Remember, although it can be, the cheaper toothpaste or more “natural” option may not always be your best option. Feel free to ask us for recommendations for your unique needs.

Good Flossing Techniques Keep Teeth Healthy

Flossing is non-negotiable when it comes to your oral health. Mouthwash is not an acceptable replacement for flossing, even if the bottle says that it is. Mouthwash is a great tool, and it does a great job of disinfecting, but it doesn’t remove food debris, especially between the teeth in those tight, hard-to-reach places.

Some patients become concerned because they see blood when flossing. Try to remember that if you continue to floss daily, your gums will become healthier. You will eventually stop bleeding every time you floss.

The Professional Touch

When it comes to oral hygiene mistakes, skipping routine dental visits is at the top of the list. Waiting until there is a problem, and you are in pain, to see us is never the best option for a healthy mouth.

Making time for routine dental exams and cleanings, ideally, every six months, is vital for your oral health. Getting a good look over and deep clean ensures that your teeth and gums are healthy. This helps us catch dental problems sooner when they are easier and less expensive to deal with.

Don’t Delay. Schedule Your Next Visit Today.

We have the best dentist and staff on hand to help you keep your smile bright and healthy. Contact us at Gateway Dental Care today to schedule your next dental checkup in Pleasanton, CA. We’ll get your teeth healthy and teach you the skills you need to keep them that way.