5 Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes

5 Common Oral Hygiene Mistakes

Wondering how to keep your teeth in tip-top shape by avoiding bad habits? Find out what the 5 most common oral hygiene mistakes are, and learn how to kick those bad habits before they get worse.

Flossing

Your dentist wasn’t joking when they told you “remember to floss!”. Food and bacteria build up in the mouth and gets stuck between teeth. Without regular flossing, the debris and plaque will lead to cavities and tooth decay.

Changing your toothbrush

Have you been using the same toothbrush for over a year? Even 6 months? 5 months…4 months? Toothbrushes scrub away bacteria from your teeth, but the bacteria has to go somewhere. That place is your toothbrush. With older toothbrushes bacteria clings to the bristles, and then ends up on your teeth during your next brush. Gross! We recommend changing your toothbrush every 3 months to ensure you’re not transferring any bacteria between brushes.

Forgetting your tongue

You’ve come so far. You’ve put the toothpaste on the toothbrush, you’ve scrubbed your teeth for 2 minutes, and then you forget your tongue! Your tongue stores most of the bacteria in your mouth. During your next brush make sure you scrub that tongue good and get off that built up bacteria.

Brushing right after eating

Stop having your breakfast and then brushing your teeth immediately! You should wait at least 30 minutes in between eating and brushing your teeth. Acidic foods weaken the outer tooth enamel, leading to cavities and tooth decay. Your mouth needs the 30 minutes for the saliva to neutralise the acid – so take your time in the morning!

Avoiding dentist

The best course of action is to get regular check-ups with your local dentist. When you avoid the dentist you run the risk of making your oral hygiene issues worse. If you suffer from dental anxiety, be rest assured that dental practitioners are trained to provide a comfortable treatment plan and swift recovery.

At Redbank Plains Dental, your local Collingwood Park dentist, we’re here to help with all your dental health needs. To find out more about our services, contact us today.