Sometimes, making even the smallest tweaks and improvements to your daily routine can pay off in a big way over time. That’s why our Elmhurst dentists have put together this short article reviewing four mistakes you may be making day to day, and what you can do about them. Keep reading to learn more.
Snacking or sipping continuously
Oral bacteria use sugars and carbohydrates to as fuel to grow. And it’s important to keep in mind that bacteria stay active for about a half hour after you finish eating or drinking. This means that you can eat the same amount of food, or drink the same amount of your favorite beverage, and it can actually do more harm if you do so continually throughout the day, rather than in one sitting.
Applying too much pressure
We all want to make sure that we are doing enough to clear away plaque and dental debris that has developed throughout the day. However, applying too much pressure with your toothbrush an actually cause your dental enamel to wear down and your gum tissue to become damaged.
Using old dental tools
Many of us are using ineffective, worn down tools without even realizing it. The American Dental Association actually recommends that we switch out our dental tools every three to four months. Using older tools will lead to unnecessary plaque accumulation, and it may lead you to apply too much pressure to your teeth and oral tissues.
Ignoring nighttime dry mouth
If you are regularly waking up with a mouth that feels dry or stale, talk to your dentist about what you can do to reduce dry mouth when sleeping. When there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth oral bacteria are able to thrive. So, unless this is treated you may notice increased instances of cavities, gum disease, and hard-to-treat bad breath.
Maintaining oral health for the long-term is all about developing good habits. To learn more, or to schedule a personal consultation with our team, please feel free to give our Elmhurst dental team a call!