Many people think that oral hygiene is pretty simple. After all, how can someone mess up brushing and flossing their teeth? However, the truth is that it’s pretty easy to make mistakes when cleaning your pearly whites. Furthermore, these errors can contribute to tooth decay and cavities if left unchecked. Luckily, your dentist in Las Cruces is here to keep such things from happening. That said, read on to learn four common teeth-cleaning mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: You Rarely Replace Your Toothbrush
As it turns out, there’s a good reason you get a free toothbrush following a dental checkup. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you ought to switch out the item every 3-4 months. Otherwise, your toothbrush’s bristles will get too frayed to clean your teeth effectively.
It’s also essential to replace your toothbrush after a cold, stomach bug, or sore throat. Germs from your illness can lurk in between its bristles and make you sick again,
Mistake #2: You Brush Too Hard
Understandably, you might think of improving your oral health by brushing your teeth forcefully. However, that isn’t a good idea.
While not brushing hard enough can raise your risk of tooth decay, overbrushing could wear away your gum tissue. If that happens, your smile’s looks will decline as your gumline recedes. Plus, the tissue’s recession would make your tooth roots vulnerable and sensitive.
Worst of all, your receded gums won’t “grow back.” The only way to reverse the tissue loss would be to get a gum grafting treatment.
Mistake #3: You Only Brush Before Dental Visits
Only brushing before a dentist appointment won’t make up for poor teeth-cleaning on other days. In fact, the habit will leave bacteria on your teeth that can trigger tooth decay, cavities, and even gum disease.
Besides, a pre-appointment brushing won’t fool your dentist. They’ll know something’s up when they see your plaque-inflamed gums. Plus, dentists can often tell if you’re lying. They have experience with sheepish patients who don’t admit to their poor oral care.
Mistake #4: You See Your Dentist for Emergencies Only
Perhaps the worst teeth-cleaning mistake is only seeing your dentist for emergencies. When you don’t come in for dental checkups, you’ll likely suffer issues requiring invasive treatment.
That said, you’re better off visiting your dentist regularly — about every 3-6 months, ideally. Doing so will let you avoid having to get root canals or tooth extractions.
As you can see, you must clean your teeth properly. Besides avoiding the mistakes above, talk to your dentist in Las Cruces for more oral hygiene tips.
About the Practice
Painted Skies Dental Center is based in Las Cruces, NM. As led by Drs. Natalie and Ramon Ortiz, the practice provides excellent and personalized dental care. To that end, its staff offers preventive, cosmetic, and even restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency procedures. Whether you need a dental checkup or a dental implant, Painted Skies is there for you. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or call them at (575)-521-8720.