5 Oral Care Mistakes You Are Committing

There are many things you can do to make sure your teeth are as healthy as possible. However, some common mistakes can lead to more serious problems for your mouth and gums. Here are the top five oral care mistakes you're committing.

Brushing incorrectly

Brushing your teeth is a simple task, but if you're not doing it correctly, you could be harming your oral health. For example, many people brush their teeth at an angle that's too steep or straight on and don't use short enough strokes. Here are some tips for brushing right:

• Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line in small circular motions (about 1/2 inch wide).
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste--and don't forget to change out your toothbrush every three months!

Brushing too hard

Brushing too hard can cause gum recession, which is when the gums pull away from your teeth. It's not the reason why your teeth are yellowish. Gum recession is a progressive condition that occurs over time and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Brushing too hard also wears down tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to cavities and sensitivity.

To prevent these problems, be gentle with each stroke of the brush--don't apply too much pressure or use excessive force when brushing either your top or bottom teeth (or both). 

Forgetting to floss

It's easy to forget about flossing, but it's an essential part of oral care. Flossing removes food particles and plaque from between teeth, which can otherwise lead to gum disease. This is especially important if you have braces because they can trap food between the brackets that would otherwise be removed by regular flossing.

Flossing can be hard to remember regularly--after all, there are only so many times you can say "I'm going to floss now!" before sounding like a broken record--but it's worth making time for this habit every day of your life (or at least until those braces come off).

Chewing gum for cavity protection

One common misconception about gum is that it protects your teeth from cavities. The truth is, chewing gum doesn't clean between your teeth as well as flossing does--and even if it did, it wouldn't be enough to replace regular brushing and flossing habits.

If you want to get rid of the plaque that causes cavities without causing damage to the enamel on your teeth (which can lead to dullness), try using xylitol-based products like toothpaste or mouthwash instead of sugarless mints or gums with artificial sweeteners like sorbitol or mannitol.



Chewing xylitol gum for cavity protection

Xylitol is a sugar substitute derived from birch bark. It has been used as an alternative to sugar for decades, but there are some things you need to know about it before you start chewing xylitol gum every day. There are two reasons why you shouldn't chew xylitol gum just because it says "cavity protection" on the package:

Xylitol doesn't prevent cavities; it only helps reduce them when used in combination with other ingredients (like fluoride). So if you're hoping that your daily stick of gum will keep all those nasty teeth problems at bay, think again!

Most people can tolerate small amounts of xylitol without any negative effects. However, some individuals may experience diarrhea or other digestive issues after eating foods containing this sweetener--especially children under three years old and people with diabetes who have a hard time controlling their blood sugar levels. Please visit your dentist timely!