5 Common Dental Hygiene Mistakes People Make

5 Common Dental Hygiene Mistakes People Make

You may know that you should brush twice a day and floss daily, but do you do so in actuality? According to a 2008 survey sponsored by the American Dental dental equipment Association, only 49% of Americans stated that they flossed and 10% stated that they never flossed at all. Not only does practicing proper dental hygiene daily prevent gum disease, cavities, and other dental complications that could be painful and expensive to fix in their advanced stages, it can actually lengthen your life! Dr. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic once said, "If a person can dental handpiece take care of their teeth and gums, they can extend their life by at least 10 years." That is why it is imperative that people nip improper dental hygiene habits in the bud by avoiding common mistakes.

Rushed brushing - A proper tooth brushing session is at least two minutes long. Any shorter than that, and people run the risk of not thoroughly brushing the back of the teeth. Additionally, shorter teeth brushing sessions can cause you to rush, brushing your teeth harder than you should. Brushing too hard can irritate the gums and cause them air syringe to bleed. You should be making short back-and-forth motions at a 45 degree angle when you clean your teeth.

Incorrect flossing – Just as it's important not to brush too hard, it is equally important not to "snap" floss to your gums. Snapping floss can injure the gum and dental articulator cause soreness. You should gently slide the floss between your teeth to get under the gums. To ensure you get to hard-to-reach areas, it is advised that you wrap floss around your middle fingers, not your index fingers, for better control.

High sugar and acid intake – A common problem for many people is the presence of cavities despite brushing and flossing properly and not smoking. While there is a genetic component to cavity vulnerability, foods containing large amounts of sugar and acid dental lab equipment are also a big factor in tooth decay. Limiting sugar intake and chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help prevent tooth decay in people who are otherwise faithful to a good dental hygiene routine.

Smoking – A common staple on every dentist's no-no list, smoking can seriously harm your gums and teeth (not to mention the rest of your body). Smoking can cause tooth decay, gum disease, receding gums, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Cosmetically speaking, smoking also stains teeth and promotes halitosis. If you wish to quit, talk to your dentist: he or she dental apex locator will be able to provide you with resources and/or possibly connect you to a general physician who can help you quit.