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It is crucial to realize that good dental hygiene, a fit lifestyle, and routine dental checkups are all necessary for healthy teeth and gums. However, despite the fact that good dental hygiene is not that hard, some individuals continue to make mistakes that can harm their smiles. For instance, if you clean your teeth improperly or, on the other hand, brush them excessively, both habits might compromise your teeth. 

You must avoid these six widespread dental care mistakes if you want to preserve the health of your smile.

1. Brushing your teeth once a day only
Many folks believe that brushing their teeth once daily is sufficient to completely remove dental plaque, tartar, and bacteria from their teeth. You should avoid brushing your teeth just once a day since numerous bacteria are being left in your mouth. 

These bacteria cause cavities by producing acids. If you keep them in your mouth all night, you run the risk of developing tooth decay and other dental health problems. To prevent bacteria buildup, you should clean your teeth twice daily.

2. Avoiding flossing your teeth 
Flossing is a crucial aspect of maintaining good dental hygiene. It's important to realize that even the most meticulous tooth cleaning can miss plaque and food debris lodged between your teeth. Dental floss gets rid of this junk from your mouth and stimulates the flow of blood to your gum line.

3. Brushing your teeth too often
You should be aware that cleaning your teeth too frequently can harm them. If you typically clean your teeth for 10 minutes after each meal, you could easily compromise your tooth enamel. Dental hypersensitivity, toothaches, and receding gums may follow from this. Take a few sips of water or use mouthwash to freshen your breath instead of brushing your teeth after eating.

4. Using wooden toothpicks 
Many individuals frequently use wooden toothpicks to eliminate food that has become lodged between their teeth, but t it's important to realize that wooden toothpicks might be more harmful than helpful.

The pointed tip of a wooden toothpick has the potential to scrape your teeth and cut your gums. It can very easily break and become lodged in your teeth. Therefore, if you need to clean the space in between your teeth, it is preferable to use dental floss or floss picks.

5. Using hard-bristled toothbrush 
If you believe that a toothbrush with hard bristles eliminates plaque and tartar more effectively than one with soft bristles, you should be aware that they are equally effective. The primary issue, though, is that hard bristles can damage the enamel of your teeth. Since acids weaken your dental enamel, they are particularly harmful if you've had acidic meals or beverages before cleaning your teeth.

6. Not getting routine dental exams 
If you experience tooth pain or other dental conditions that produce soreness or other symptoms, it may seem apparent that you should see a dental specialist. To check the state of your mouth, it's also crucial to visit one of the most experienced cosmetic dentists at least biannually.

You should be aware that many dental disorders can emerge without any outward signs, and that only a professional can see them in the very beginning. In addition, many medical conditions are significantly simpler to address right away.

The bottom line
You must practice good dental hygiene and pay special attention to the condition of your teeth if you want to preserve a healthy smile. To lessen the damage caused to your teeth, it's also crucial to quit bad behaviors like smoking and using wooden toothpicks.

If you want to have healthy teeth and gums, you need to pay attention to your oral hygiene as well as maintain a healthy diet and undergo dental exams on a regular basis. However, some people misunderstand the principles of proper oral hygiene and this can lead to unpredictable complications. In this article, we have gathered seven facts about oral hygiene that you should be aware of.

1. Both tooth brushing and flossing are essential

Indeed, tooth brushing is deemed the most critical part of proper oral hygiene. It helps remove the bacteria from your mouth and keep your teeth clean. Many people neglect the flossing routine but it is also extremely important. Flossing helps remove food particles and dental plaque from interdental spaces that a toothbrush can't reach.

2.  Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of various oral issues

Even though some oral issues are accidental, hereditary, or depend on your hormonal balance and/or nutrition, many dental conditions are caused by poor oral hygiene. Since the bacteria isn’t being removed, they multiply and can damage your oral health. For example, gum disease, tartar accumulation, tooth decay, and dental abscess are caused by bacteria overgrowth.

3. You should choose a toothbrush with soft bristles

Some people believe that using a toothbrush with stiff bristles can help clean their teeth better. But the reality is that these stiff bristles can actually scratch your tooth enamel and make your gums bleed. That’s why it is better to choose a toothbrush with soft bristles.

4. Aggressive tooth brushing can affect your teeth and gums

In addition to using toothbrushes with stiff bristles, some people also think that the harder they brush their teeth, the cleaner they are. But it is essential to understand that aggressive tooth brushing can remove your tooth enamel that results in teeth sensitivity, chipped teeth, yellowish teeth, and indentations on the surface of the teeth. You may need to undergo dental bonding or even get dental crowns to save your teeth from further damage. 

5. You shouldn't brush your teeth right after eating

There is a common misconception that you should brush your teeth right after having meals to prevent bacteria overgrowth. But you should know that acids in foods and drinks tend to soften your tooth enamel and you may easily remove it during tooth brushing. That’s why you need to wait at least 30 minutes after eating and only then brush your teeth.

6. Fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash can help prevent cavities

Fluoride is a mineral that is widely used to prevent cavities and even reverse the development of tooth decay in its initial stage. Many kinds of toothpaste and mouthwashes contain fluoride. If it is not enough and you are extremely prone to cavities, you can also ask your dentist about fluoride treatment. 

7. Professional teeth cleaning can help prevent gum disease

Teeth cleaning, also known as dental cleaning, is an in-office procedure during which a dental hygienist removes dental plaque, tartar accumulation, and other debris from your mouth. Since tartar accumulation promotes gum disease, regular teeth cleanings are a great option for people who are at risk of gum disease. Additionally, dental cleaning can remove surface stains from your teeth and make them look whiter. 

The bottom line

It may seem that taking care of your teeth and gums is quite complicated. But you should understand that it is much easier to prevent the development of many oral issues rather than treat them. That’s why you need to maintain proper oral hygiene, get rid of bad habits, eat healthy foods, drink enough water, and visit a dentist for check-ups regularly.