You might think you’re absolutely nailing dental hygiene. You brush twice a day, you’re not a chocoholic, and you’re a non-smoker, so what’s to discuss? While that’s all a great start, there are a few crucial elements to an oral hygiene routine that many people continue to miss. Not only that, but some of us are over-eager and could be damaging our teeth by trying too hard. Check out some of the below examples of bad habits that could be preventing you from getting your dental game on point.
It seems counterintuitive, but it’s possible to brush too hard and damage your teeth as a result. You’re trying to clean any bacteria or food away, not erode the protective enamel that coats your teeth. It’s important to recognize the difference. Many electric toothbrushes now come with a pressure sensor to alert you when you are brushing too hard so that you can ease off and avoid creating future problems for yourself.
Forgetting your wisdom teeth
Remember these guys? Those partially erupted wisdom teeth, the ones that are hard to reach because they’re so far at the back? Well, that’s where those sneaky little food particles and bits of bacteria love to party. Wisdom teeth can be particularly tricky to get to and keep properly clean. Sometimes, if they are growing or have never fully emerged, food can become trapped beneath the gum-line leading to infection, decay, gum disease, and bad breath; no one’s idea of a good time. If they’re causing you problems, it might be worth finding out the cost to remove your wisdom teeth and discussing with a dentist to determine whether extraction might be the right choice for you.
Avoiding the floss
No one enjoys flossing; it’s boring. Has anyone worked out a way to do it without cutting off the blood circulation to the ends of their fingers? That’s how things used to be, anyway — however, all hail technology. Flossing has now become easier, thanks to water flossers. They use a high-pressure stream of water to blast any remnants of dinner out from between your teeth and down the plug-hole. It’s never been easier to clean between your teeth and ensure that nothing is missed, so no more excuses.
Biting your nails
It’s a bad habit we know, but not only because it leaves us with jagged nails, ruins our varnish, and is fairly unhygienic. It can also lead to chipped teeth, as well as wear away the enamel on our teeth, and put pressure on them beneath the gum line leading to crooked or displaced teeth (particularly in still developing mouths). Trying to wean kids away from nail-biting could help them to avoid orthodontic treatment that might otherwise not be needed. So breaking this habit early is a financial, as well as health, investment.
If you want to have fresh breath, healthy gums, and a million-dollar smile, you need to take a little time and care over your dental routine. After all, a smile is one of the first things people will notice about you, and it can make a huge impression. An extra 3 minutes in the bathroom at the start and end of each day is a small price to pay and could save you a fortune in dentist bills.