If you are like most, you brush your teeth every day and visit the dentist once or twice a year. Comprehensive dental maintenance and care, however, requires significantly more than that. Since both doctors and dentists agree that good dental health promotes overall well-being, you should focus more attention on your teeth. While consulting with a qualified periodontist in Bayside, NY, is an excellent idea, you should also be aware of six things you are probably getting wrong when it comes to your teeth.
1. Using Toothpicks
While nobody wants to have food stuck in his or her mouth, you should avoid conventional toothpicks as much as possible. Since wood can splinter and cause gum damage, you should stick to dental floss as a way of cleaning between your teeth.
2. Smoking Cigarettes
Simply put, smoking is terrible for your health. As you probably know, medical professionals linked cigarettes to heart disease and cancer years ago. Did you know, however, that smoking is a leading cause of gum disease? In fact, those who smoke are at significantly higher risk for tooth loss, bone decay, and gum recession.
3. Avoiding Water
Generally, dehydration is bad for your mouth. If you are not drinking fluoride-supplemented water, though, you are missing out on an important opportunity to strengthen your teeth. Over time, weak teeth can fall out and break. By simply drinking water, you can help avoid the need for future dental implants.
4. Skipping the Dentist
A good periodontist in Bayside, NY, like the ones at Dazzling Smile Dental Group, can spot dental concerns before they become painful and costly dental problems. Even if your life is busy or you have dentist-related anxiety, you should schedule and attend routine dental appointments.
5. Using the Wrong Toothbrush
If you are like many, you are probably brushing your teeth with a brush that isn’t gentle enough. If your toothbrush is too hard, you are likely damaging your gums. Similarly, if you have dental veneers, a stiff-bristled brush can harm their finish. You certainly should consult with your dentist, but generally, a soft-bristled brush is a better tool for cleaning your teeth.
6. Bleaching Too Often
At-home teeth whitening is tempting, because it allows you to conveniently keep your smile looking bright. If you overdo it, though, you can damage the enamel on your teeth. While you certainly can go it alone, teeth whitening is something you might want to leave to a professional cosmetic dentist.
If you have been getting one or more of these teeth things wrong, you should contact a qualified periodontist in Bayside, NY.
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