Five Oral Hygiene Practices You Might Be Doing Wrong

Maintaining oral hygiene and keeping our teeth clean is pretty easy, isn’t it? We all just need to brush twice daily and floss once regularly. If we do this right, then what could possibly go wrong when it comes to properly cleaning your mouth? As it turns out, the answer to this question is, ‘quite a bit.’ If you want to upkeep the health of your teeth and gums then you need to pay attention to the following tips that will lead you in the right direction.

• • Forgetting to Clean Every Surface
    
    Now, on an average, people brush their teeth in one common pattern, brush across the tops of the teeth, then in an up-and-down motion to clean the front teeth, followed by a front-to-back motion to clean their molars. This habit leaves out the major part of your mouth. Dentists say that there are five sides of each tooth – front, back, left side, right side, and the top and it is essential to clean every corner of your mouth properly. Also, another secret is not forgetting to use floss or inter-dental brushes to ensure that your teeth are cleaned between, every single day. Investing in an electric toothbrush may be a good option, but talk to your dentist before using it.

• • Not Brushing for Long Enough
    
    This is another dental practice that you may be doing wrong. You may have the habit of brushing your teeth before going to bed, but only a quick thirty second brush simply won’t fulfill the job thoroughly. It is advisable to at least brush for two minutes.

• • Not Replacing Your Toothbrush Frequently
    
    With regular use, the bristles of your toothbrush tatter and due to this, your toothbrush loses its ability to properly clean your teeth. You should replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles are visibly worn, whichever happens first.

• • Not Cleaning Your Tongue
    
    Your tongue contributes more to fresher breath than just brushing and flossing alone. Bad breath (halitosis) can be traced back to the tongue papillae where bacteria find shelter. So, if you neglect your tongue while you are practicing your oral care routine, it will have a negative impact on oral health and can lead to bad breath.

• Not Using Antibacterial Mouthwash
  
  The many top-selling mouthwash brands that you use are primarily a mixture of alcohol and mint flavor. They just give you a zingy, minty, and refreshing feel to end your oral care routine, but they seemingly do less for your dental health. Also, alcohol-based mouthwash tends to give you a dry mouth and because of the reduced flow of bacteria, nasty and unpleasant bacteria will grow in your mouth. These bacteria can lead to cavities and cause bad breath. So, instead of using your traditional alcohol-based mouthwash, you should use anti-bacterial mouthwash, which will help in fighting the bacterial infections in your mouth.

If you have any queries regarding oral hygiene or if you want to know how to take care of your mouth, then you may contact Expressions Dental™ Clinic in Calgary where our team of dental hygienists will guide you. Make an appointment now by calling at +1 (403) 252 7733.