You’ve obviously heard the old adage that you should brush your teeth at least twice a day, but did you know that you can still be doing it wrong? Yes! You can brush your teeth three times a day, but that doesn’t mean you’re doing it properly and actually cleaning your mouth. There are a multitude of common mistakes that people make every single day when brushing their teeth.
Over time, these mistakes can cause bigger issues such as bacteria growth, bad breath, gum disease, and even tooth decay. But don’t fret, the experts at Galliano Family Dentistry are here to help! We care about your teeth and we’ve learned a few things over the years. So, check out these common tooth brushing mistakes and general tips on better brushing habits.
Make Sure to Wash Your Hands Before and After Brushing Teeth
A lot of us don’t see this as a major priority when beginning the teeth brushing process however, washing your hands with soap and water before and after is super imperative. This is even more important in our current state because of covid. You’ve definitely heard it before, but maybe didn’t associate it with oral hygiene. If you don’t have access to soap, another option can be to sanitize our hands or use 70% isopropyl alcohol. Washing your hands with soap for twenty seconds is better, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Not to mention the taste from the sanitizer and alcohol left in your mouth leaves little to be desired.
Change Your Toothbrush Often
Changing your toothbrush every once in a while is super important. A toothbrush should be changed every three to four months, because after a few months, the bristles began to weaken and lose their “touch”. In other words, the bristles will start to poorly clean your teeth which can begin to bother your gums. On top of this, bacteria and germs can begin to grow on your toothbrush if it sits out for longer than this amount of time. The only exception to changing your toothbrush three to four times a month, is when you’re sick. You should change it immediately!
Please Floss, It’s Super Important
Do I really need to floss? How often should I floss? What if I just skip the flossing? None of us like to do it, but it really is that important. Flossing is super essential to the teeth-brushing process. It’s really good to have a nice, soft toothbrush that gets in those small spaces in your mouth, but there’s no substitute for flossing! Flossing is meant to finish off the job the toothbrush couldn’t. It makes sure all of those itty bitty pieces of food and bacteria in between your teeth are gone. Flossing is good for avoiding plaque build up, preventing gum disease, and maintaining fresh breath and a bright smile. Not only this, but your teeth will begin to feel better and stronger after a nice floss. And twice a day is recommended, but simply doing it every day will result in a much healthier mouth.
Is There a Right Way to Brush Your Teeth?
As we all know, brushing and flossing your teeth are very important, but if not done correctly, it can result in some serious oral health issues. And, as you’ve seen, it’s easy to make tooth brushing mistakes. We’re all human and we all make them and sometimes we just need a little reminder or motivation to brush and floss more often.
At Galliano, our number one priority is your oral health. We want you to have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile and are here to help prevent possible oral problems from getting worse. With several dental services offered, like root canals, zoom whitening, dental implants, veneers, and so much more, our oral professionals can help with any problem big or small. There’s no way you’ll be dissatisfied after leaving an appointment. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call us at (225)-296-0212 or schedule your next visit with us today!