Dental Care - 5 Important Things You Might Be Doing Wrong.

Oral hygiene is an essential part of good health and well-being, and there are many different ways to promote good oral health. The way you brush your teeth, for example, has an effect on the cleanliness inside your mouth, which is why, as children, we were taught correct brushing techniques. For many people, incorrect brushing technique has a negative effect on general oral hygiene, as trapped food particles remain after brushing, which leads to the onset of tooth decay. If you would like to ensure that your daily oral hygiene practices are effective, take note of these things that you might actually be doing wrong.

Photo credit: Friendly Dental Group.

1. Incorrect Brushing Technique 
If you were never taught the correct way to brush your teeth, this might well be the cause of any dental issues you might have. It is not effective if the bristles merely travel over the tooth enamel, as the correct brushing technique requires that the fine bristles come into contact with every part of the teeth surfaces, thus removing minute particles of trapped food.

2. Type of Toothbrush 
If you are the kind of person who buys a toothbrush based on aesthetics, this has very little to do with its ability to clean. Soft, medium, or hard bristles are available and the general consensus of professional opinion is that medium is the best for effective brushing. A soft bristle toothbrush will not be able to remove trapped particles and this will result in bad breath and the onset of tooth decay. If you are in need of a BUPA dentist Brisbane locals trust, an online search will reveal the whereabouts of local dentists.

3. Shape and Size of Brush Head 
The size and shape of the toothbrush head is another consideration, and a dentist will tell you that small and slightly tilted is best, as this allows you good maneuverability when brushing. In fact, it is a good idea to ask your dentist to recommend a toothbrush, and they will likely stock some of the better brands. Effective brushing will keep your teeth and gums clean and this will prevent the onset of tooth decay.

4. Flossing 
It is possible that you are not using dental floss in the correct way, or even worse, that you don’t actually floss at all! Flossing reaches those otherwise impossible regions, especially between the teeth, where bacteria can thrive and if you are unsure about the correct flossing technique, there are plenty of instructions online that you can follow.

5. Brushing Frequency 
If you only brush your teeth in the morning and before sleeping, this is not sufficient. Of course, both morning and evening brushing in necessary, but you should also brush after every meal. Simply carry a travelling toothbrush that also has some toothpaste and you can easily pop into the restroom after lunch.

By ensuring that all of the above are addressed and that you adopt these practices on a daily basis, your teeth and gums will always be in good condition. And with regular dental check-ups, should there be a problem, it can promptly be treated.