Oral hygiene is a must to boost dental health and general well being, fortunately the process is easy. Everyone interested in keeping their teeth are encouraged to brush their teeth two times a day for at least two minutes a session, floss at least once a day to help remove excess dental plaque, eat nutritious foods that not only prevent dental plaque development but provides additional boosts to dental health and to exercise for the same reasons. Unfortunately all those efforts can be easily undone by some bad oral health habits.

Despite the appearance of teeth being strong and impermeable, nothing is further from the truth. The fact is teeth are made of of an integral network that is susceptible to dental problems such as cavities, tooth decay and gum disease which can be triggered by innocent mistakes regarding dental care. If despite your best efforts your last dental check up was sub-par, paying special attention to how oral hygiene is implemented can be the secret to breaking bad dental habits and improving dental health.

Gently Floss

The war against dental plaque buildup is a battle that must be fought on a daily basis to keep levels and oral health in check. Since most individuals have been warned about how harmful dental plaque, they may attempt to tackle the task of flossing teeth with the gusto and enthusiasm of Americans fighting WWII. While the passion for both tasks may be high, when it comes down to flossing, gently doing the job will be much more effective than storming the area.

Flossing teeth involves breaking off a suitable length of dental floss (approximately 18.00-inches), wrapping a bit of material around each finger and then gently maneuvering the thread behind and between ever single tooth. This gentle motion should never involving “snapping” or pulling the thread too aggressively as that act can increase the odds of cutting delicate gum tissue.

Brush Gently

Flossing and brushing go together like peanut butter and jelly, it is not right to have just one without the other. Brushing is another crucial oral hygiene behavior as the act of taking toothbrush and toothpaste will help scrub away excess dental plaque buildup. While individuals may also view this practice as a war against dental problems, this battle must be fought with tender loving care.

Brushing too hard can result in receding gums. According to 0900-DENTIST, “Receding gums occur when the gums and bones in the mouth begin to move away from the teeth,” and can cause a myriad of dental problems. Receding gums can contribute to tooth sensitivity and if left unchecked “Exposed roots are also prone to develop tooth decay, eventually leading to tooth loss and gum disease.”

Relax, Then Brush

The best war strategies don’t involve a bomb now, explain later philosophy, they tend to require thought, patience and controlled action. The same mantra should be used in regard to brushing teeth as individuals are advices to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to fight dental plaque buildup in order to minimize the risks associated with that oral hygiene practice.

Temporarily softened tooth enamel is a common side effect of eating and drinking and it can take up to 30 minutes for that porous surface to re-strengthen. Brushing teeth during this settling period can erroneously cause excessive wear and tear on dental enamel resulting in tooth sensitivity, yellow looking teeth (as the removal of enamel can expose the naturally hued yellow dentin underneath) and tooth decay. Waiting just a bit before taking brush to teeth can help.

No matter if your bad dental habit is brushing teeth too aggressively or ingesting a non-stop stream of soda, your dentist will have the best advice on what risks are associated with the behavior and can provide valuable advice on how to improve. Individuals who need a dentist can call 0900-DENTIST.