Daily teeth cleaning is imperative to oral health because it removes food particles, plaque, acids, and bacteria contributing to tooth decay and gum disease. But as important as twice-daily tooth brushing and once-daily flossing is, there are a number of mistakes that can interfere with oral health. Here are a few to keep in mind.

5 Common Oral Care Mistakes You Can Correct

1. Brushing Too Hard

Clean your teeth gently for two minutes twice a day to prevent problems such as enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and gum recession from aggressive back-and-forth brushing. If the recession is severe enough from hard brushing, you may need a gum graft to prevent tooth loss. Use up-and-down as well as circular motions to clean your teeth correctly.

2. Flossing Too Quickly

Fully remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria from your teeth by gently rubbing floss between teeth for at least a few minutes. Create “C” shapes around each tooth as well to clean under the gums. Flossing too quickly makes it difficult to remove debris and allows plaque to spread, eventually hardening into tartar. Only your dentist can remove tartar under the gumline.

3. Using the Wrong Toothbrush

Perform teeth cleanings using a toothbrush that fits comfortably in your mouth and hands. Incorrectly sized brushes usually do not reach every tooth surface, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Also, make certain your toothbrush features soft rather than medium or hard bristles to avoid damaging gum tissue.

4. Flossing Excessively

Floss only once a day to avoid irritating your gums and increasing sensitivity. If you floss after you brush your teeth, always rinse your mouth to dislodged lingering food particles.

5. Not Brushing the Gums

Carefully brush your gumline holding your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to remove plaque and debris. The gums become pockets of bacteria without regular cleaning that contribute to tartar formation. Gumlines overloaded with bacteria are also susceptible to dental abscesses.

Discuss proper teeth cleaning practices with Legacy Dental Arts, the team serving Eagle River, AK, and the surrounding areas since 2007. Root canals, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency dentistry are among the many services available in addition to deep teeth cleanings. Call (907) 622-7874 today to make an appointment or fill out patient forms online. Like the Facebook page for more pro tips.