What are your goals for 2018?
For most of our patients here in Vincennes, their resolutions for the new year are probably related to fitness or finances. However, this new start is also a great opportunity to improve the state of your smile. One simple way to improve your dental health is to take a look at your oral hygiene routine.
To kick off the new year, we encourage our Herman Family Dentistry patients to avoid common brushing mistakes that may be hindering their dental health.
Five Common Brushing Mistakes to Quit in 2018
Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes is crucial for removing food particles and cavity-causing bacteria. Without properly removing leftover food debris and plaque, problems like gum disease and tooth decay can develop.
What’s worse, even if you’re brushing your teeth regularly, you could still be making mistakes that harm your dental health. Some of the most common brushing mistakes include:
Brushing Too Hard: Applying more pressure to your toothbrush doesn’t remove plaque more effectively. In fact, it can actually end up harming the outer protective layer of the tooth, which is known as the tooth enamel. Without the protection of the enamel, your smile can become more susceptible to tooth decay, tooth fractures, and other dental problems.
Using a Toothbrush with Hard Bristles: A hard-bristled toothbrush can end up harming your dental health rather than helping. As with the case of brushing too hard, using a hard-bristled toothbrush can be too harsh on your teeth and end up damaging the tooth enamel.
Using Back-and-Forth Motions: Using a back-and-forth motions is another habit that will be too rough on the tooth enamel and can also irritate the sensitive gum tissue. Instead, we recommend using gentle circular motions to remove plaque while being gentle on your teeth and gums.
Not Brushing for Two Minutes: According to the American Dental Association, patients should brush for at least two minutes to cover every part of your smile. Failing to use the entire two minutes can allow for bacteria to flourish in areas that you skipped.
Forgetting to Brush the Tongue: The tongue is an area that can often be neglected by patients. Unfortunately, the large surface area of the tongue can harbor a lot of bacteria that contribute to chronic bad breath and dental infection. Be sure to use the back of your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to remove bacteria.
Contact our Office in Vincennes
Make 2018 the year you achieve a healthier smile! While at-home care is critical to enjoying great dental health, it’s also important to see your dentist for routine appointments every six months. If you’re due for a dental appointment, contact our office today to schedule your next cleaning with Dr. Herman and our talented team at Herman Family Dentistry.