Having strong teeth and healthy gums is important in maintaining excellent overall well-being. Fortunately, taking good care of your oral health isn’t difficult, particularly if you take several important steps. One of these is to avoid committing mistakes that can expose your gums and teeth to damage, such as the following:
Not brushing frequently
Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day to keep them cavity-free. If you brush less frequently than this, or if you tend to skip your brushing regimen for several days, you’re putting yourself at risk for tooth decay and gum diseases. Prevent this from happening by brushing your teeth twice a day or even after every meal.
Brushing your teeth vigorously
You might not realize it, but it is possible to overdo tooth brushing. Excessively vigorous brushing isn’t recommended since it can lead to tooth abrasion, which can wear down the tooth enamel while damaging your gums and exposing their root area.
Forgetting your gums
People usually focus on protecting their teeth from cavities and keeping them strong. But, while having tooth care is important, remember that oral health isn’t just about your teeth—it also includes your gums! Because of this, you must take the right steps to keep your gums healthy and protect them from infections and diseases. Start by flossing regularly to prevent tartar from building along your gums (which is an early sign of gingivitis). If you currently smoke, try to quit as soon as you can. Remember: smoking increases your chances of producing bacterial plaque, which can pave the way to gum disease and prevent your gums from completely healing.
Thinking that mouthwash can replace brushing
With how most mouthwashes are marketed, it’s easy to believe that they’re enough to remove bacteria from your mouth and keep your gums and teeth healthy. However, this isn’t the case since swishing and gargling mouthwash won’t remove food debris that has stuck in between your teeth, and it’s not enough to get rid of sticky plaque and prevent tartar buildup.
Failing to improve your diet
The food that you eat won’t only affect your weight and overall well-being; it also has a huge effect on your oral health! Eating foods that are high in sugar, for example, encourages the growth of bacteria in your mouth and puts you at risk for developing tooth decay, while snacking on too-hard treats can lead to a chipped tooth. Drinking too much tea, coffee, and wine, on the other hand, exposes your teeth to too much tannin and causes them to become stained. Coffee is an even bigger culprit since it’s acidic and can wear away enamel over time, making your teeth even more stained. With these in mind, you’ll want to adjust your diet and ensure that the food and drinks you enjoy won’t harm your teeth and gums.
Allowing too much time to pass between dentist visits
When was the last time you visited a Cronulla dental clinic? If it was too long ago, or if you can’t remember when, you must schedule an appointment ASAP. Getting routine checkups since it catches dental issues in their early stages, means you can have them treated ASAP before they can worsen and start to affect your oral health (or even your general health). Schedule dental check-ups at least every two years—unless you’re at a higher risk for oral diseases, then you should see your dentist at least every six months.
Maintaining good oral health doesn’t have to be rocket science. By avoiding these mistakes, you can keep your gums and teeth in good condition and stay away from various oral health problems.
