Believe it or not, your quality of life depends on your dental health. But maintaining excellent oral hygiene isn’t always easy, especially when there is so much misinformation out there. Here are things you need to avoid to maintain optimal dental health. 

Brushing Incorrectly

Everyone knows that brushing their teeth at least twice daily for good dental hygiene is crucial. However, it’s more important to brush them correctly. You should remember to: 

• Brush Gently: Brushing the teeth too hard can damage tooth enamel, leading to cavities. It can also make the gums bleed and cause irritation. Speak with your doctor about proper brushing at your next dental cleaning. 
• Use Soft Bristles: Brushing gently doesn’t matter if the toothbrush has hard bristles. Hard bristles can also damage teeth and gums. Instead, always use a toothbrush with soft bristles. 
• Take Your Time: Ensure you have plenty of time to gently brush your teeth in slow circles to remove bacteria and prevent plaque build-up. Brushing in a hurry can lead to missing spots or brushing too hard. This can lead to things like periodontal disease long-term. 

Ignoring Your Diet

Many people think dental hygiene is all about brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash. This makes sense because everyone encourages a proper oral hygiene routine. However, your diet plays a crucial role in this too. Always be mindful of what you eat, drink, and how it can impact your teeth. 

• Sugary Drinks: Sugary drinks like sweet tea and pop can slowly wear down tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Water is always the best thing to drink throughout the day for a healthy smile. 
• Gum: Gum can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. Chewing gum throughout the day constantly bombards your teeth with sugar. The constant chewing motion can be hard on your gums and impact tooth alignment. 
• Fruit Juice: Most people ignore the rules when it comes to natural fruit juice because it’s healthier than pop. However, fruit juice is loaded with natural sugars. Limit juice consumption to one glass a day. 
• Citrus Fruits: Fruits are packed with necessary vitamins and nutrients. However, citrus fruits also have citric acid, which can wear down tooth enamel. Drink water throughout the day to rinse citric acid off the teeth and enjoy citrus fruits in moderation. 
• Sticky Candy: Sticky candy usually sits on the teeth long after eating it. This is especially common with caramel, taffy, and hard candy that you chew. Brush your teeth after eating sticky candy and remember to floss. 

Other Harmful Habits

The world is full of harmful habits and enticing things bad for oral hygiene. Smoking can stain teeth and is the leading cause of oral cancer. Many alcoholic beverages contain sugar and acid that can destroy tooth enamel. Tea can stain teeth. Carbonated beverages often contain higher concentrations of acid, leading to tooth decay. 

Contact Barry P. Levin DMD, PC in Jenkintown, PA! 

Learning everything you need to know to keep your teeth healthy can be challenging. Thankfully, we’re here to help. Our professional team of dentists can help you with dental hygiene in Jenkintown. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.