Did you know that around 4 in 10 American adults have some level of periodontitis? And 1 in 4 adults aged 20 to 64 has untreated tooth decay. These figures highlight the prevalence of oral diseases and the scope of the problem across the country.
And for the most part, any issues could have been avoided or rectified if people knew exactly how to care for their teeth and their mouth as a whole.
Dental care routines are important. But these figures show that not everyone can or wants to put this as a top health priority.
But if you do and you want to keep your own teeth in your mouth for as long as possible, then you need to avoid these all too common dental care mistakes adults make so you can keep your mouth in top condition at all times.
Not Brushing for Long Enough
You’re supposed to brush for at least 2 minutes twice per day. Shorter brushing times mean more areas of the mouth are missed, and there are more opportunities for plaque to grow. And when you fail to brush these spots, you’re just giving bacteria a place to thrive.
If you’re struggling to understand just how long 2 minutes is when brushing, set an alarm for 120 seconds or get an electric toothbrush — most come with a timer built in, meaning you can brush until it signals that’s enough and you’re done.
Skipping Areas When Brushing and Poor Brushing Techniques
A poor brushing technique means you’re going to be missing areas of your mouth, and yep, you guessed it, allowing problems to develop in these spots. You want to avoid the back-and-forth scrubbing motion and use gentle circular strokes in your mouth and cover each part section by section, including the back of your mouth. By following a pattern and brushing correctly, you can make sure no part of your mouth is missed and you’re getting into the spaces you need to.
Brushing Immediately After Eating
While it might make sense to brush right after eating, the last thing you want is for residue to be left on your teeth. The reality is, you might be causing more damage brushing right away. This is due to acidic drinks and foods temporarily softening enamel, and brushing during this period can cause damage. Instead, rinse your mouth with water after eating to wash anything left over away and then wait 30 minutes and rush then.
Not Correcting Imperfections
If you have misaligned or crooked teeth or an overcrowding issue, it makes life much more difficult when brushing or flossing. Getting checked out for suitability for invisible aligners means you can correct any dental concerns with ease and ensure that all of your effort isn’t going to waste.
Ask about crowns, bridges, or implants if you have missing teeth or need teeth moved, so you can preserve your smile longer.
Not Flossing Daily
Sure, everyone lies to their dentists about flossing (FYI, they can tell), but these days, if traditional floss doesn’t do it for you or you have more sensitive gums, you can buy floss picks, interdental brushes, or even water flossers to get in those gaps brushing can’t quite reach. There are plenty of options, and avoiding them will only make sure your teeth succumb to plaque buildup sooner rather than later.