It is the day of your dental appointment. You confidently walk towards the reception area thinking that visit would be over in a jiffy. However, the dentist suddenly requires you to undergo a dental filling procedure to stop the cavity from spreading. You now sit on the dental chair thinking how is it possible for a cavity to form if you have been brushing, flossing, and rinsing well. The answer is: you may have been doing it wrong all this time.
Aside from cavities, it is even possible for gum disease and other oral complications to occur. The questions now are: What went wrong? Is there anything left to do? Let us at Dentistry of East Sacramento help you find out the little-known factors that compromise your oral health. Read on below!
Common Dental Mistakes
Brushing after consuming acidic substances
Contrary to what other people believe, brushing the teeth after consuming acidic substances does not lessen the damage dealt by acid and carbonation. Rather, it makes matters worse since the risk of damage increases due to weakened enamel. It is best to wait for 30 minutes to an hour before brushing the teeth.
Not brushing bleeding or sensitive gums
Although doing so may cause the mouth to bleed more, patients should continue their brushing and flossing routine even if the gums continue to bleed. Remember that the sudden increase in teeth sensitivity and bleeding gums are symptoms of the devastating gum disease. To stop the condition from worsening, patients should make sure to get rid of plaque and other harmful substances that have accumulated on the teeth.
Using the same toothbrush
Like any other device that is used repeatedly, a toothbrush could also slowly lose its ability to clean the teeth effectively over time. That is why it is highly advised for patients to replace the oral care tool every three to four months. However, in the event where the toothbrush is already showing signs of fraying, it is best to have it replaced.
Brushing too often and too hard
People who believe that brushing the teeth with more pressure would work better are completely mistaken. Know that vigorous brushing can weaken the enamel and even harm the gums. Plus excessive brushing can cause the protective layer of the teeth (enamel) to wear down.
Delaying dental appointments
The problem is, most people think that detecting problems like gum disease or cavities are easy. Unfortunately, the mouth of each person reacts differently. Plus, there are complications which may not even show any signs until it is already too late. Instead of just visiting the dentist whenever it seems fit, or if there is already pain involved, we highly encourage our patients to do so every six months for best results.
We at Dentistry of East Sacramento assure patients that by visiting our practice biannually, the state of their teeth, gums, and oral structures are guaranteed to be in tip-top shape.
What are you waiting for? Schedule your Regular Checkups in Sacramento, CA, and take advantage of the following services: professional dental cleaning, full dental examination, digital x-rays, and oral cancer screening! Call or visit us at Dentistry of East Sacramento.