4 Common Teeth-Cleaning Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Let’s say your teeth and gums aren’t doing well. Maybe you’re dealing with a cavity or two, or perhaps you have gum disease. What should you do? Well, a good starting place would be to correct your teeth-cleaning mistakes. By overcoming these errors, your oral health could drastically improve. Luckily for you, your dentist in Grand Prairie can help you along that process. Read on to learn four common teeth-cleaning mistakes and the best ways to avoid them.

You Rarely Replace Your Toothbrush

When brushing your teeth, maybe you think your toothbrush will work for a lifetime. After all, one could assume the tool works as long as you apply toothpaste to its bristles. However, the truth is more complicated.

In reality, the American Dental Association says you should change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Waiting beyond that point will lead to frayed, broken bristles that aren’t good at cleaning teeth. Furthermore, you may need a replacement sooner if you’ve had an illness. Germs can lurk in between the bristles and may make you sick again.

You Rush Your Brushing

Many of us consider teeth-brushing as something to get through immediately. As a result, most Americans’ brush time stands at about 45 seconds. Unfortunately, though, this duration is more than a minute shy of the suggested time length.

Almost all dentists recommend that patients brush their teeth twice daily, for two minutes per session. If you struggle to follow that rule, try setting a digital timer to help you keep track of the passing moments.

You Overuse Whitening Products

As you may know, whitening toothpaste, strips, and rinses all promise to give you a gleaming white smile. Even so, dentists advise caution when it comes to using them.

You see, overusing teeth whiteners could increase your tooth sensitivity. Many of these items have abrasive materials, so they have the potential to scrape away protective enamel. Talk to your dentist in Grand Prairie about whitening options before fully committing to store-bought methods.

You Only See the Dentist for Emergencies

Some patients think they can save money by only seeing their dentist for emergency services. However, the problem with this approach is that visiting a practice less often puts your mouth at risk.

You’ll likely experience dental problems that can’t be reversed if you don’t attend your bi-yearly checkups and cleanings. You could suffer from tooth loss, gum recession, or complications from an infection.

By correcting the mistakes listed above, your mouth will get cleaner and healthier. You’ll then be on the fast track to a beautiful, long-lasting smile!

About the Practice

Care 32 Dental is based in Grand Prairie, TX. As led by Dr. Heliben Desai, the practice provides excellent dental care to patients of all ages. To that end, it offers preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and even emergency dentistry. The dental staff is also qualified to perform dental sedation and Invisalign orthodontic services. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (469)-837-8351.