20 Mistakes in Oral and Dental Health

Taking proper care of your teeth is not difficult. But it is easy to develop habits that can lead to toothache in the long run. We list these misbehaviors for you to avoid and prevent potential problems.

1) Doing other things while brushing your teeth

Many people brush their teeth while showering or browsing social media sites on their cell phones. But this can lead to not paying enough attention to what you are doing and not doing it properly. Tooth brushing should be done in front of the mirror, at the sink and all tooth surfaces should be touched. For this, you should not be distracted by other things.

2) Cleaning your toothbrush more than necessary

If you are thinking of throwing your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave to disinfect it, think again. No one gets germs or bacteria from their own toothbrush. It is enough to rinse it with tap water, clean it, air dry it and store it upright so that it does not touch things or someone else’s toothbrush. Other methods damage the brush.

3) Substituting social media for your dentist

The internet is full of bizarre and intriguing “Do It Yourself” tips that do more harm than good. Don’t listen to them. There are people who go on Google and try to whiten their teeth themselves with peroxide or similar things. Instead, it would be the best choice to use products that have been tested and approved for teeth whitening and dental care.

4) Avoiding X-rays

There are some new fears about dental x-rays. These include a study in the journal Cancer that reported a possible link between dental x-rays and benign brain tumors. However, the American Cancer Society notes that the study does not say that x-rays actually cause tumors, and that some of the researchers were exposed to x-rays at a time when dental x-rays had higher rates of radiation exposure. X-rays are important because not all problems can be identified by a visual examination. For example, there may be cavities between teeth, or there may be a cyst or other pathology in the jaw. If you are worried about radiation, talk to your doctor about ways to minimize the number of X-rays you receive.

5) Tossing your wet toothbrush in the travel bag

It is important to preserve your toothbrush before putting it in the travel bag before traveling and to take it out after arrival. Bacteria thrive in humid environments and although you should use a protective container during transportation, it is important to remove it after arrival and allow it to air dry. If the hotel room doesn’t have a toothbrush holder to put upright, a water glass will do the trick.

6) Having a tongue or lip piercing

Many people use piercings as a way of expressing themselves. However, tongue and lip piercings are risky. In addition to people who break or chip their teeth as a result of friction, there are also piercing users who experience gum recession and other soft tissue disorders. If you have been using piercings so far and have not been harmed, this does not mean that you will not have problems in the future. On the contrary, the longer tongue and lip piercings are worn, the greater the risk of dental problems.

7) Drink apple cider vinegar

According to some Hollywood celebrities and natural health experts, drinking unfiltered apple cider vinegar does miraculous things for your body. But research does not support these claims. Dentists also say that the acetic acid in vinegar can cause serious damage to tooth enamel. Even a good mouthwash may not be able to counteract the potential effects of this vinegar, and the same goes for lemon juice.

8) Not using a retainer

If you had braces at some point in your adolescence or adulthood, it makes sense to use a retainer a few nights a week, as long as your orthodontist recommends it. If a person who has perfect teeth with braces does not use a retainer, they may be disappointed again when their teeth lose this appearance over time.

9) Brushing teeth immediately after drinking orange juice in the morning

If you like to drink orange or lemon juice in the morning, you should know that brushing your teeth immediately afterwards can damage the enamel. The acidic environment weakens the enamel and erosion can occur during this sensitive period. Therefore, first neutralize your mouth by drinking water or rinsing with soda water, or brush after half an hour. You should also take the same precautions after vomiting. Because vomiting produces the same effects.

10) Not wearing the record day or night

Moderate teeth or jaw clenching may not seem like a big problem, but more serious cases can lead to many problems, from headaches to jaw problems, from tooth damage to facial disfigurement. It is not easy to tell if you are clenching your teeth at night. You should ask someone you know for help. However, if you are experiencing symptoms such as persistent head and jaw pain, you should see your doctor immediately and seek solutions such as night plates .

11) Smoking

In addition to lung and heart diseases, smoking causes bad breath, stained teeth, gum recession, jawbone and tooth loss. In addition, nicotine weakens the body’s fight against infection, which prevents successful treatment if you have a tooth extraction problem. You can take a look at our article“Does smoking yellow teeth?” about the damage caused by smoking to oral and dental health.

12) Using a toothpick

Although we often resort to toothpicks when something gets between our teeth, toothpicks are unsuccessful and even harmful solutions compared to dental floss. Careless use of toothpicks can damage sensitive gums and dental tissues.

13) Neglecting your dentist appointments

Although sitting in the dentist’s chair may make you anxious, the shortest way to overcome this fear is to go to the dentist. If you go to your dentist appointments at the right intervals and take care of your oral and dental health, you will not have to face treatments such as tooth extraction, root canal treatment or filling.

14) Overuse of teeth whitening products

Excessive and unnecessary use of tooth whiteners can lead to weakened tooth enamel and tooth sensitivity. Loss of enamel exposes the underlying dentin layer and your teeth look yellow. Not much is known about the long-term effects of whitening. You should not use these products without a doctor’s recommendation. You should use the product recommended by your doctor or your doctor should perform the whitening procedure himself.

15) Not drinking enough water

If your mouth is dehydrated, it becomes dry and more acidic, which causes tooth enamel to erode. a dry mouth means less saliva. Saliva protects your teeth from various diseases, so you should avoid dehydration. Gargling with water and drinking water plays an important role in removing accumulated sugar and acids.

16) Calcium and vitamin D deficiency

Minerals and vitamins are the building blocks of bones and teeth. It is important to take vitamin D and calcium to counter their decreasing concentration as we age. According to the American National Osteoporosis Foundation, adult women need 1,000-1,200 milligrams of calcium and 400-1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. These can be obtained from food, sunlight and supplements. You should take the necessary measurements and take supplements if needed.

17) Excessive consumption of fruit juice

Many people like homemade or packaged fruit juices and drink them regularly. Although fruit juice is rich in vitamins and minerals, it fills your mouth with corrosive acids and too much fructose. If you can’t stop drinking fruit juice, try to get rid of some of the acidic effect by rinsing your mouth after consuming it and brushing your teeth after a while.

18) Using the wrong mouthwash

There are as many different ways to rinse your mouth as there are types of bacteria in your mouth. Most mouthwashes only mask bad breath and leave a pleasant taste in your mouth. Therapeutic mouthwashes containing antimicrobial agents can really help against problems such as gingivitis (gingivitis), cavities, plaque and bad breath.

19) Using a toothbrush that is too hard

Like wooden toothpicks, hard brushes create more problems than they solve. Although they look effective, hard bristles wear away your tooth enamel. We only recommend soft or extra soft toothbrushes. Research shows that your gums can also be damaged by hard brushes: A 2011 study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that although hard-bristled toothbrushes remove plaque, they are more likely to cause gingivitis and tissue damage than soft brushes.

20) Acidic drinks

All acidic drinks such as cola, diet cola and energy drinks cause tooth erosion.