Your dentist wants nothing more than for your teeth to stay clean, healthy, beautiful, and well-aligned for a lifetime, so it’s particularly heartbreaking when a dedicated and well-meaning patient makes unfortunate mistakes in their oral hygiene routine that can lead to serious health problems down the road. Thankfully, knowing these mistakes can help you catch yourself in the act and create better oral health habits over time. Here are a few dental cleaning errors that your dentist may notice and a few tips for developing better hygiene practices.
Brushing Only Once a Day Can Lead to Tooth Decay
Pretty much everyone in America knows that brushing is a crucial part of keeping your teeth in great shape, but many people do not realize how much they need to do it each day. While some people are in the habit of only brushing once a day, this is not enough to keep their teeth clean and healthy. The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice, once in the morning and once before bed. Ideally, you’ll also floss between meals after waiting at least thirty minutes so your enamel has time to recover.
Skipping Flossing Makes Teeth Mossy
Even if you are brushing twice a day, neglecting to floss is an excellent way to set yourself up for dental disaster. A toothbrush is simply incapable of reaching into the narrow spaces between teeth, making using floss necessary to eliminate plaque and food debris accumulating there. Flossing also stimulates blood flow in the gums, which helps them heal and fight infections. Inadequate flossing habits will lead to gum disease that can cause permanent damage such as tooth loss.
Too Much Teeth Whitening Can Be Frightening
Many people are eager to achieve a whiter smile, but abusing store-bought teeth whitening products by using them too frequently is a great way to erode your enamel and make your teeth more vulnerable to injury and infection. Too much exposure to the bleaching agents in these products can deplete the minerals your teeth need to stay healthy and strong, and the one-size-fits-all dental trays they use can also lead to uneven whitening or even soft tissue injuries due to chemical exposure.
Luckily, professional teeth whitening treatments from your dentist can lift unsightly stains and discoloration and leave your smile up to eight shades whiter in as few as one appointment. Since these treatments are customized to fit the patient and administered by a trained professional, they maximize your chances of achieving amazing results with minimal risk of injury.
Good oral health habits make a massive difference in your comfort and your appearance. By attending regular dental appointments and listening to your dentist’s recommendations, you can enjoy a beautiful smile for life.
About the Practice
Dr. Andrew Nawrocki earned his dental degree and received prosthodontic specialty training at the University of Florida. He is proud to hold memberships with the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association, and his office in Ormond Beach offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about keeping your teeth in great shape, contact his office online or dial (386) 677-1046.