Which of these oral care mistakes are you making at home?
In an age where more people are going longer between dental check-ups, we here at Maplebrook Dental wanted to provide a bookmarkable checklist of the oral care mistakes you are (likely!) making at home.
Without further ado, let’s jump in!
The Importance of a Thorough and Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine
According to the WHO, “The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 estimated that oral diseases affect close to 3.5 billion people worldwide, with caries of permanent teeth being the most common condition. Globally, it is estimated that 2.3 billion people suffer from caries of permanent teeth and more than 530 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth.”
In short, the quality of your oral health is directly linked to your chances of developing health conditions such as oral cancers, HIV, gum disease, tooth decay, cardiovascular disease, and noma. That is why we here at Maplebrook Dental impress the importance of a thorough and consistent oral hygiene routine between dental appointments.
So in which ways are the majority of people failing at their at-home dental routine?
The Common Oral Care Mistakes You Are Making at Home (Probably!)
Below are listed the most common oral care mistakes we see our patients make between appointments that impact the whiteness and overall health of their smile.
Not Replacing Your Toothbrush Periodically
Are your toothbrush’s bristles touchably smooth? That is a sign that it is in need of replacing.
Whether you opt for a traditional toothbrush or an electric one, you should be changing your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) a minimum of every 12 weeks. This works to keep your bristles firm and effective at plaque removal, eliminates the risk of bacteria building up in the bristles, and mitigates the possibility of oral infections (such as oral herpes) recurring due to using the same toothbrush that was used during an outbreak.
Not Brushing Thoroughly (And Brushing Too Hard)
Brushing in gentle circular motions across the teeth, gums, and tongue for a minimum of two minutes is the advised method of properly brushing your teeth and removing plaque.
A common issue we see? Brushing too hard! This can yield bleeding gums and sore teeth. Instead, brush thoroughly yet softly and, of course, follow up by flossing between every tooth.
Contact Maplebrook Dental For a Healthy Smile For Life
To determine which at-home oral care mistakes you are making, it is highly recommended to book in with the Maplebrook Dental team a minimum of twice per year in order for us to ensure that your smile is in tip-top shape.
Contact us today for more at-home oral care tips or to book your next check-up.
