In honor of National Oral Health Month, Dr. Brainard Llanes, dentist in Schaumburg, shares five common dental hygiene mistakes people make.

You may know that you should brush twice a day and floss daily, but do you do so in actuality? According to a 2008 survey sponsored by the American Dental Association, only 49% of Americans stated that they flossed and 10% stated that they never flossed at all. Not only does practicing proper dental hygiene daily prevent gum disease, cavities, and other dental complications that could be painful and expensive to fix in their advanced stages, it can actually lengthen your life! Dr. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic once said, “If a person can take care of their teeth and gums, they can extend their life by at least 10 years.” That is why it is imperative that people nip improper dental hygiene habits in the bud by avoiding common mistakes, according to Dr. Brainard Llanes of Modern Essence Dentistry.

What are the Most Common Dental Hygiene Mistakes?

1. Rushed brushing: A proper tooth brushing session is at least two minutes long. Any shorter than that, and people run the risk of not thoroughly brushing the back of the teeth. Additionally, shorter teeth brushing sessions can cause you to rush, brushing your teeth harder than you should. Brushing too hard can irritate the gums and cause them to bleed. You should be making short back-and-forth motions at a 45 degree angle when you clean your teeth.
2. Incorrect flossing: Just as it’s important not to brush too hard, it is equally important not to “snap” floss to your gums. Snapping floss can injure the gum and cause soreness. You should gently slide the floss between your teeth to get under the gums. To ensure you get to hard-to-reach areas, it is advised that you wrap floss around your middle fingers, not your index fingers, for better control.
3. High sugar and acid intake: A common problem for many people is the presence of cavities despite brushing and flossing properly and not smoking. While there is a genetic component to cavity vulnerability, foods containing large amounts of sugar and acid are also a big factor in tooth decay. Limiting sugar intake and chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help prevent tooth decay in people who are otherwise faithful to a good dental hygiene routine.
4. Smoking: A common staple on every dentist’s no-no list, smoking can seriously harm your gums and teeth (not to mention the rest of your body). Smoking can cause tooth decay, gum disease, receding gums, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Cosmetically speaking, smoking also stains teeth and promotes halitosis. If you wish to quit, talk to your dentist: he or she will be able to provide you with resources and/or possibly connect you to a general physician who can help you quit.
5. Not visiting the dentist regularly: Obtaining a dental cleaning every six months is crucial to your oral hygiene, as only dental practices have the tools necessary to remove hardened plaque buildup. Your dentist will also take the opportunity to examine your teeth and gums and make sure everything is in order. Catching dental problems early on will help you avoid more complicated and expensive procedures in the future.

By eliminating common dental hygiene mistakes, your oral health and overall health will significantly improve, and you may even extend your lifespan. If you have any questions or concerns about your dental hygiene habits, it is important that you communicate with your dentist.

Clue Dental Marketing manages public relations for Dr. Brainard G. Llanes of Modern Essence Dentistry (ModernEssenceDentistry.com). Dr. Llanes is committed to providing patients with proper patient education at his Roselle dental practice. Dr. Llanes provides family-friendly dentistry in Schaumburg and Roselle, including root canal therapy, dental cleanings and exams, dental veneers, teeth whitening and crowns. For patients looking for a Schaumburg dentist, Modern Essence Dentistry is conveniently located just ten minutes away from Schaumburg.