Brush, floss, avoid excess sugar, etc.?the standard suggestions for taking good care of your teeth have probably been repeated to you since your first-ever dental visit. While we may know the basics, there are some bad habits that those of us with the best intentions might not be aware of.
To get the shine and sparkle your efforts deserve, here are three bad habits to bust:
- Bad Habit #1: Holding on to an old toothbrush
While it?s great to bond with your toothbrush and spend a little extra time scrubbing away at plaque, a toothbrush that has been overused will not have the same success rate it once did. Warn out toothbrushes lose the ability to remove plaque, bacteria and staining due to the wear on the bristles. Not only will your brushing be less effective, but using a warn brush could actually become harmful. Old toothbrushes build up harmful bacteria overtime that can potentially cause infection when continually exposed. At Krengel Dental, we recommend that you change out your toothbrush every 3-4 months so that your brushing buddy is up to par. We will help you out every other time by providing you with a brand new brush at each 6-month cleaning.
- Bad Habit #2: Brushing up too quickly.
It?s great when we hear that you?re brushing your teeth after meals, but it is important to know that brushing too soon after eating or drinking can have negative effects. Acidic food and drink you?ve been warned about, such as sugary drinks, wine, certain fruits, etc., can break down tooth enamel and lead to erosion. Brushing too soon after consuming these products can actually brush the harmful acid deeper into your teeth instead of removing it, having the opposite effect you intended. We recommend that you rinse your mouth out right after and wait at least a half hour to brush when consuming acidic food and drink. Waiting just 30 minutes can take your habit from harmful to incredibly helpful!
- Bad Habit #3: Getting carried away with whitening
We all want pearly whites, but using too many products to add shine to your smile can ultimately do damage to your teeth that you want to avoid. At home bleaching products are often safe to use, but it is important to use them with caution and conservatively to keep from increasing your tooth sensitivity. We recommend asking your Krengel dentist what whitening products and procedures are safest for your smile. Considering your unique dental hygiene will help to make your teeth shiny, sparkly AND healthy.
Taking these tips might take your good intentions and tweak them to be beneficial instead of harmful. If you have any questions about your health habits or dental hygiene routine, give us a call (952-888-1311) and we will give you the information that ensures your smile gets the credits of your hard work!
