Mistakes to Avoid in Caring for Your Teeth

There is a lot of advice out there on what to do for your teeth. A simpler approach might be to let you know which mistakes are the worst and how to avoid them. Here is a list of things to avoid, with useful links to more in-depth information:

Forgetting to Clean Your Gums

Gingivitis results in diseased, inflamed, bleeding, and sore gums. Gingivitis is reversible if it is treated. If left untreated, it will turn into periodontitis, which is not reversible.

More on Periodontal Disease

With all the advice to floss, brush, use waterpiks, chew gum, drink water, avoid sugar, and use mouthwash, we hear a lot about what to do, but seldom about how best to do it.

It’s important to know how to brush gums adequately. The best method for brushing teeth at the gum-line is with a soft-bristled toothbrush with rounded bristles and at a 45-degree angle.

Moving the toothbrush in small circles helps to dislodge bacteria and food particles from the gum-line and helps to prevent and reverse gingivitis.

Allowing or Advancing Yellowing of Teeth

Yellowing teeth are a huge concern for some people. There is a never-ending selection of teeth-whitening products on the market, and they’re also available at the dentist.

However, you hardly find anyone who tells you how to avoid yellowing of the teeth beyond avoiding foods and drinks that can stain your teeth.

For instance, brushing your teeth immediately after you have any acidic food or drink will strip away your enamel, which makes your teeth more susceptible to yellowing. It’s best to wait 30 minutes after eating and drinking to brush your teeth.

How to Choose the Right Toothpaste

Don’t Underestimate Water

Whether you ingest water or use it to rinse your mouth, you may not be doing either enough. Waterpiks are especially useful in blasting away bacteria around the teeth and gums, but simply rinsing your mouth works wonders too. Drinking an adequate amount of water helps to keep saliva at a low viscosity, which helps to prevent bacteria from forming plaque. The average American doesn’t drink the right amount of water. Try having 8 cups of water a day.

More on Beverages and Brushing

There are many things to do for your teeth, but aim at the basics of brushing, flossing, and try to use a waterpik to adequately clean your mouth.

Remember to visit Studio City Dental Center twice a year to avoid dental issues down the road. Click here to schedule an appointment today.