Are You Guilty of Any of These 3 Dental Hygiene Mistakes?
If we wanted to list every reason that dental hygiene is so important, we’d have a long list to make. It’s important to your overall health, to your self-esteem, and to your confidence. Having untreated dental issues can lead to long-term health issues and in some rare cases can lead to death. The good news is that it’s not that hard to take care of your mouth.
At California Dental Group, we want every client to know exactly how to take care of their teeth and exactly what they can do to avoid problems. While most people will have a cavity at some point in their lives, getting a quality filling can prevent future issues. Avoiding the following three dental hygiene mistakes can also make a big difference in your long-term dental health.
1.Numerous bad habits
Your teeth have two natural enemies: Sugar and cigarettes. If you’re a smoker, then you already know it’s bad for you and that you should quit. However, remember that smoking does more than give you bad breath and stain your teeth – it can also lead to numerous types of cancer, including cancer of the tongue and cancer of the mouth. Sugar may not be quite as bad for your health overall but it’s terrible for your teeth. If you drink sugared coffee or soda daily, trying to significantly cut back. If you do drink something you shouldn’t, use a straw to reduce how much time your teeth are in contact with the sugar.
2.Not brushing or flossing correctly
Ideally you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day. This includes once in the morning and once before night. If possible, it’s a good idea to brush your teeth during the day as well. You should also be flossing at least once a day. However, remember that while any brushing or flossing is likely better than none, there are some issues that can come with not brushing or flossing correctly. For example, if you’re brushing too hard then you could damage your gums. When you come see us for your dental cleaning and exam, we can answer any questions you have about flossing or brushing.
3.Not going to the dentist when you have a toothache
It’s common to ignore toothaches. In most cases, patients just hope it will go away on its own. They don’t want to think about the possibility that something serious is wrong and they don’t want to deal with any pain involved in getting it fixed. The truth is that the sooner you contact California Dental Group for help with your toothache, the less painful and the more affordable the fix is likely to be.
Whether you take perfect care of your teeth or you know you could do better, it’s essential to see your dentist twice a year. If it’s been more than six months, or if you’re experiencing a dental issue, then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment.
