{"id":3968,"date":"2021-08-03T21:08:12","date_gmt":"2021-08-03T21:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/?p=3968"},"modified":"2024-03-07T01:18:27","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T01:18:27","slug":"do-you-make-these-common-dental-care-mistakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/dental-blog\/do-you-make-these-common-dental-care-mistakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Make These Common Dental Care Mistakes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re all human; we\u2019re bound to mess up. But avoiding these 11 common dental care mistakes can save you a lot of time, money, and toothaches<\/span><\/h1>\n

With all the dental care products and information out there, knowing right from wrong can be challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What toothpaste should you use? Is it okay to brush right after you eat? Is mouthwash a proper substitute for flossing?<\/span><\/p>\n

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There are a lot of little nuances that can adversely affect your dental health if you\u2019re not careful.<\/span><\/p>\n

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But today, we\u2019re going to clear up the confusion once and for all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Read on to see if you\u2019re making any of these eleven common dental care mistakes and, if so, learn how to fix them.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Brushing too vigorously<\/span><\/h1>\n

You would think that the harder you brush, the better you can clean and remove teeth stains, but this isn\u2019t the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In fact, brushing too hard can wear down your enamel and damage your gums, causing them to recede. If you don\u2019t let up, your gums may recede enough to expose the nerves in your teeth, causing <\/span>tooth sensitivity.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

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If you find that you a lot of force when brushing or you notice your gums are receding, try using these two simple tips to ease up and give your teeth a break:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Use gentle movements – <\/b>Lightly press the brush against your teeth and move it back and forth in short strokes (about the width of one or two of your teeth). Make sure to clean both the outer and inner parts of your teeth, as well as the surfaces!\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Take it slow –<\/b> Slowing down a bit can help you focus on the pressure you put into brushing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    2. Brushing for less than two minutes<\/span><\/h1>\n

    We all know we should be brushing twice a day for at least two minutes. But come on\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Two minutes takes forever!<\/span><\/p>\n

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    According to recent <\/span>research<\/b><\/a>, the average person brushes their teeth anywhere from thirty to sixty seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    But while you may be saving yourself a minute or so of precious time, you\u2019re also leaving much more harmful plaque on your teeth than you would if you stuck it out for the full two minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    One study in the <\/span>Journal of Dental Hygiene<\/b><\/a> demonstrated that <\/span>\u201c…brushing for 120 seconds removed 26% more plaque than brushing for 45 seconds.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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    And if you have the patience to brush for another minute, going for a full 180 seconds was shown to remove 55% more plaque than brushing for just 30 seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    3. Waiting too long to replace your toothbrush<\/span><\/h1>\n

    Do you find yourself wearing out your <\/span>toothbrushes<\/b><\/a> until the bristles become frayed and bent out of shape?<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Then chances are you\u2019re not replacing them often enough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The <\/span>American Dental Association (ADA)<\/b><\/a> recommends getting a new toothbrush every three to four months. If you notice yours starts to fray sooner than that, then it\u2019s best to go ahead and replace it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The more beat up the bristles look, the less effective the brush is at cleaning your teeth. So, keep a close eye on your toothbrush\u2019s health. Your dental health depends on it!<\/span><\/p>\n

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    4. Not storing your toothbrush properly<\/span><\/h1>\n

    Do you lay your brush down when you\u2019re done using it or store it in an enclosed space? Or perhaps both?<\/span><\/p>\n

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    These are two dental care red flags.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Per the <\/span>ADA<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>\u201cStore toothbrushes in an upright position after use and allow them to air dry.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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    Putting your damp toothbrush in a container or drawer in between uses encourages the growth of bacteria far more than keeping it out in the open.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    5. Using a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush<\/span><\/h1>\n

    Similar to number one, you\u2019d think that a toothbrush with harder bristles would remove more plaque and bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Unfortunately, these types of brushes can damage your teeth and lead to gum recession.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    To stay on the safe side, always stick to soft-bristled brushes. They\u2019re tough enough to get the job done, and they don\u2019t come with the risk of any adverse effects on your dental health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    6. Avoiding flossing because your gums bleed<\/span><\/h1>\n

    If you notice your gums bleed whenever you floss (or even when brushing), it may mean you have gum disease or gingivitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    It might look scary, but these dental health conditions don\u2019t mean you should stop flossing. Quite the opposite, actually!<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Aside from setting up an appointment with your <\/span>San Diego dentist<\/b><\/a> asap, it’s best to keep your teeth and gums as clean as possible in the meantime.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    That means brushing twice and flossing once daily to prevent the further development of plaque and tartar in your mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    7. Not brushing your tongue<\/span><\/h1>\n

    Do you leave your tongue unbrushed whenever you clean your teeth?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Believe it or not, your tongue is just as big a target for harmful oral bacteria as your teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Brushing your tongue every time you brush can help fight plaque buildup and prevent gum disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    And although it may seem like a practical alternative, rinsing with mouthwash doesn\u2019t actually get the job done.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    You can learn why and other fun facts about your lingual \u201cmuscle\u201d in our recent article: <\/span>6 Things You Never Knew About Your Tongue<\/b>.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

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    8. Using fluoride-free dental care products<\/span><\/h1>\n

    If you use fluoride-free toothpaste, you\u2019re still removing plaque from your teeth when you brush, but you\u2019re missing out on a crucial benefit.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Fluoride<\/b><\/a> toothpaste, unlike its non-fluoridated counterparts, strengthens your enamel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The stronger your enamel, the more resistant it is to decay. This extra line of defense helps protect your teeth from cavities, providing you with an advantage that fluoride-free products can\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Community-fluoridated water certainly helps reduce the incidence of cavities, but this method alone isn\u2019t enough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Fluoride toothpaste and other fluoridated dental care products offer a complete solution to shielding your teeth from decay.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    If you\u2019re currently using fluoride-free products, we strongly recommend making the switch to improve your dental health.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    9. Using mouthwash as a replacement for flossing<\/span><\/h1>\n

    \u201cIf I swish hard enough, I should be able to clear out those hard-to-reach places, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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    We wish it were that easy, but unfortunately, it\u2019s not.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Mouthwash<\/b><\/a> is a great way to fight bad breath and clear out some oral bacteria from your mouth, but it\u2019s not a proper substitute for flossing.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    The only reliable way to remove food particles and bacteria stuck between your teeth is through flossing or using another type of <\/span>interdental cleaner<\/b>.<\/b><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    Mouthwash should be used to supplement a healthy dental care routine \u2013 brushing twice a day, and flossing once a day \u2013 not a replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    10. Ignoring signs of dental health issues<\/span><\/h1>\n

    It\u2019s safe to say that we\u2019ve all been guilty of this one at one point or another.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    But maintaining your dental health is all about the long game. The more you ignore symptoms in the present, the more likely you are to have serious issues down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    If you exhibit any of the following <\/span>signs<\/b><\/a>, don\u2019t wait to visit your San Diego dentist:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n