We may be biased, but one of those most important new year’s resolution you can make is exercising better oral hygiene habits! In order to do that, it’s important to know certain habits that you should stop today for a healthier tomorrow.
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Oral Hygiene Habit 1: Crunching Your Teeth into Hard Foods
Hard foods are teeth’s worst enemy. When you bite into and crunch on very firm foods, it can actually cause small fractures in your teeth. Stay away from chewing on ice, eating popcorn kernels, and chewing on fruit pits.
Oral Hygiene Habit 2: Grinding Your Teeth
Unfortunately, many people grind their teeth at night and don’t even realize it. The act of grinding wears down your teeth and causes them to be weaker. Imagine two sharp objects grinding against each other. Over time, the sharpness of the object will fade and a duller, smoother consistency will replace it. When teeth become duller, it isn’t good for your mouth. If you know you grind your teeth tonight, make an appointment with Dr. Strandburg so he can help you stop grinding your teeth.
Oral Hygiene Habit 3: Improper Brushing & Flossing
Many cavities occur because teeth are not properly cleaned. Brushing your teeth with an old toothbrush won’t clean your teeth like a newer tooth brush would. We recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months to ensure it is delivering optimal results.
Flossing is another dental habit that many people ignore or perform improper techniques. It is extremely important to floss once a day because plaque forms between your teeth and the tooth brush’s bristles can’t reach the plaque. Floss is small enough to clean the hard-to-reach places. However, for the best results, follow these simple steps:
- Wrap floss around index fingers, pull tight
- Work floss in between teeth and move the floss upward in a “C” motion until it cleans underneath the gums
- Clean floss before switching teeth
If you experience slight bleeding while flossing, don’t be alarmed. Your gums are simply not used to being cleaned and are sensitive. This will change if you continue to floss daily.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Strandburg today for your dental needs!