5 Teeth Cleaning Mistakes That Dentists Hate

For a clean and healthy smile, most people know that brushing twice per day and flossing every night is key. Even so, there’s more to taking care of your pearly whites than just cleaning them every day. In fact, there are several teeth cleaning mistakes that patients often make. Read on to learn about five common ones that make your dentist wince as well as what you should be doing instead to maintain a healthy smile.

Mistake #1: Too Many Whitening Products

Indulging in coffee, tea, dark sodas, and other highly-pigmented foods and beverages can lead to stains on your smile. to get rid of them, many people use store-bought whitening toothpaste, trays, or strips. Though some of these offer noticeable results, they can lead to more harm than good by causing irritation to your gums or damaging your enamel. It’s best to visit your dentist for professional whitening. You should also drink beverages through a straw to lessen the amount of contact they have with your teeth.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the Gums

If you don’t brush your gums while performing your oral hygiene routine, you may be at an increased risk of tooth loss. This is because gum disease is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Leaving plaque and bacteria on your gums allows them to flourish and attack the tissue. Be sure to concentrate on the gumline to prevent this from happening.

Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Toothbrush

If the bristles on your toothbrush are too rough, this can lead to enamel damage. For this reason, use a toothbrush with soft bristles. You should also pair it with a toothpaste that contains fluoride to strengthen your smile against decay. Additionally, brush for two minutes in the morning and every night.

Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Mouth Rinse

Mouthwash can reach areas of the mouth that you can’t access with brushing and flossing alone. This means it can reduce plaque and prevent oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Using mouth rinses that contain alcohol can dry out your mouth, which actually raises your risk of these issues. Ask your dentist for recommendations on what kind of mouthwash you should use.

Mistake #5: Infrequent Toothbrush Replacement

According to the American Dental Association, people should replace their toothbrushes either when the bristles become frayed and broken or every three to four months. This will ensure that your toothbrush continues to clean your smile as efficiently as possible. You should also get rid of your toothbrush after you recover from being sick since germs may continue to lurk between the bristles, which can make you sick again.

Along with the above teeth cleaning mistakes, patients also avoid seeing their dentist until an issue arises. By seeing them every six months, you can make sure your mouth stays healthy and your smile remains bright!

About the Practice

The compassionate team at Drs. Belton & Schrimper General Dentistry enjoys helping patients in the Rocky Mount area protect their pearly whites from harm. If you struggle with teeth cleaning, they can show you the correct way to remove plaque from your smile to keep it looking lovely for years to come. For more information on their services or to set up an appointment with Drs. Belton & Schrimper General Dentistry, call their office at (252) 937-7878 or visit their website.