First experience with this office and found everything to be superior, from Dr Ky to the assistants and administrative staff. Thorough explanations all the way from first consult to check out. This is the least amount of pain of any dental procedure I’ve ever had. They care about you and want to lessen any discomfort.
Today is National Brush Day, which is kind of a big deal for us dentists. It’s also a good time to remind you how important good oral hygiene is to the health and beauty of your smile. If you’re like most people, you don’t put much thought into brushing your teeth. After all, you’ve been doing it your whole life. However, most of us have bad tooth brushing habits.
Correcting these behaviors will help you improve your oral health and keep your smile in top shape. If you have any questions or would like more advice, including recommendations for products to use, ask us at your next checkup. Call 605-277-9049 today to make an appointment.
In the meantime check out our list of bad habits and how to break them:
- Rushing Your Brushing – If you brush at least twice a day, that’s great! Many people don’t. However, you may be in a hurry when you brush. It’s best to slow down. For the best results, you need to brush for two full minutes. Some brushes have a timer feature, or you can set the timer on your phone. To make this routine task more fun, find some two-minute songs you like and brush to the music.
- Using the Wrong Toothbrush – Many people use a brush with hard bristles, figuring they do a better job of cleaning teeth. If you’re one of them, get rid of that hard-bristled brush ASAP. Use soft bristles only. Hard bristles damage your enamel, which actually makes you more cavity prone.
- Brushing Too Aggressively – Applying too much pressure on teeth is another common mistake. Like the hard bristles, this causes your enamel to wear away over time. In addition to leaving you more susceptible to decay and other problems, this can give your teeth a yellowish appearance that won’t go away with whitening treatments. Always use a gentle touch when brushing teeth.
- Missing Places Where Bacteria Hides – If you focus on the front side of teeth and chewing surfaces, you may be missing some places where bacteria tends to collect. Don’t forget the backs of your teeth, facing your tongue. In fact, go ahead and brush your tongue too (or use a tongue scraper) as bacteria accumulates there. Another important spot is at your gumline, where your teeth meet your gums. Since bacteria there can cause gum disease, it’s especially important to brush that area.
- Not Refreshing Your Brush – We get it. It’s tempting to keep a brush if you like how it feels in your mouth. But you should switch to a new one every three or four months for the best results. You may need to switch even sooner if you’ve been sick or if the bristles are showing a lot of wear.
Let us help you beat your bad tooth brushing habits! Call Aberdeen Smiles at 605-277-9049 now to visit our Aberdeen, SD office. Remember, a good dental cleaning eliminates the plaque and bacteria you’ve missed when brushing at home.