Here at Georgian Shores Dental Centre, we want to help you take the best possible care of your teeth and gums, and that starts with good dental hygiene habits. In our experience, even when people try their best to follow their dentists’ recommendations, there’s still a chance that mistakes will creep into their hygiene routine. In this article, our team will go over three of the most common mistakes that we see people make when it comes to dental hygiene, and what you should be doing instead.
- Not Brushing Enough. Most people know that they should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day, and most also manage to do that. What fewer people are aware of or stick to, however, is the recommendation that they brush for at least two minutes each time. Failing to brush for long enough is likely to leave a lot of bacteria on your teeth, which in turn can easily lead to decay and gum problems. If you want to make sure that you are brushing for the full two minutes, we recommend using a timer.
- Brushing Too Hard. Another mistake that we see a lot is people brushing their teeth too forcefully. While it may seem like you need to scrub hard at your teeth to remove as much plaque as possible, in reality a light touch is perfectly able to get the job done. On top of that, brushing too harshly has been linked to an increased risk of gum recession, even if your gums are otherwise healthy. To ensure that you aren’t overdoing it, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush, and you can even try brushing with your nondominant hand if you are really concerned about scrubbing too hard.
- Not Flossing. While it can be challenging to get into the habit of flossing your teeth, you really should be doing it every day. Flossing is an essential part of your dental hygiene routine, as it is the most effective and reliable way to get rid of bacteria that are hiding between your teeth and under your gum line. If you want to take the best possible care of your teeth, we encourage you to make flossing a habit.