A beautiful smile is one of the most attractive traits that comes with healthier teeth and gums. But what can destroy your teeth? Poor dental hygiene habits. And guess what? Very few of us know how to brush our teeth properly without harming them.
Keeping your teeth healthy requires good dental hygiene that starts at home and regular visits to the dentist.
Brushing teeth twice a day might not be enough to keep your mouth and teeth clean and healthy, especially if you are making these mistakes. Here are some of the common mistakes that can ruin your oral health.
Picking The Wrong Toothbrush
- While choosing a toothbrush from a local supermarket, make sure to choose the brush that reaches the gaps of your teeth and covers the places that need covering.
- You should be able to reach everywhere in the mouth with a toothbrush to properly clean the pieces of food stuck in those areas.
- The bristles need to be soft and flexible so that they can bend and be able to get under the gum to clean the inner corners of the mouth.
Rushing While Brushing Teeth
- Most people do not consider brushing teeth an important part of their daily routine, and they just do it because they have to. But not brushing your teeth properly is equal to not brushing at all.
- You must brush at least two times, one in the morning before going to school, college, or the office and at night before going to bed, and most people cut it down short.
- Brushing shorter than 2 minutes doesn’t give enough time for fluoride in your toothpaste to attach to the enamel in your tooth.
Brushing For Too Long
- Brushing properly doesn’t mean that you need to brush your teeth for longer or for more than 2 minutes.
- Gently brush on all surfaces of your teeth in circular motions, especially if you have dental implants, to achieve clean and shinier teeth every day.
- Brushing teeth for too long can harm the upper surface of your teeth and the gums, which can make your teeth sensitive while eating or drinking soft and cold food and beverages.
Using Too Much Toothpaste
- The amount of toothpaste you use is also very important for oral care and brushing your teeth correctly.
- Dentists recommend choosing fluoride-based toothpaste, and that too in a small amount because taking too much toothpaste on your brush doesn’t necessarily mean that it will properly clean your teeth.
- But it is important to take the right amount of toothpaste, brush in circular motion, and reach every surface and inner corner of your teeth to have clean teeth and gums.
Brushing A Bit Too Hard
- Cleaning your teeth properly doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to be hard on your teeth.
- There is a thin layer of bacteria on your teeth that can be easily removed by using the right brush and toothpaste.
- Choosing a toothbrush that has hard bristles and is too hard on your teeth can ruin the upper surface of your teeth.
Rinsing Your Mouth With Water After Brushing
- You can spit the toothpaste out, but the moment you mix water, the efficiency of the fluoride from your toothpaste is cut down.
- If you have a habit of rinsing your mouth daily. Use a mouthwash that contains fluoride instead of water.
- Wait for at least half an hour after brushing to rinse your mouth, drink water, or consume any beverages.
Not Using Dental Floss
- If you are not habitual to flossing regularly, you must start flossing every day at least once.
- Flossing is required once a day to remove plaque and food particles stuck in the inner corners of the teeth.
- Plaque that is not removed through brushing teeth should be removed by flossing. Otherwise, the deposits can turn into hard calcified deposits that can lead to tooth decay.
Storing Toothbrush In an Unhygienic Place
- Most people keep their toothbrush in the bathroom, which is one of the most unhygienic places to keep your toothbrush.
- Be smart, and avoid sharing your toothbrush with others. Keep it in an open area to avoid moisture that forms bacteria on the bristles.
- But, if you store it in the bathroom, and when you flush your toilet, the contents of the toilet bowl are transmitted in all directions and can sit on the bristles of the brush.
Forgetting To Clean Your Tongue
- Neglecting your tongue when it comes to oral hygiene is the most common problem seen in most people.
- You must remember to clean your tongue while brushing. Regularly clean your tongue to remove bacteria deposits and prevent bad breath.
- A good tongue cleaner scrapes out the residual bacteria from the tongue, making it cleaner. You can also get a toothbrush that has tongue cleaner on its opposite side.
Using The Same Toothbrush For Too Long
- When you have a good toothbrush, it’s sometimes hard to give up on that. But when you have been using your toothbrush for too long, and it has become discolored, the bristles have bent, or it looks dirty.
- It’s time for you to change your toothbrush and get a new one with soft and clean bristles.
- A toothbrush loses its power when its bristles become frayed. And you need to replace your toothbrush with a new one every 3 – 4 months or according to its condition.
How To Brush Your Teeth If You Have Dental Implants
If you have dental implants, you must know how to brush properly to take care of your oral health.
- Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush angled at 45 degrees towards the gum line.
- Gently brush in small circular motions, paying attention to the areas where the implants meet the gums. Clean your teeth and implants at least two times a day.
- Choose a low-abrasive tartar control toothpaste that is specifically designed to clean implants.
- Floss regularly with a Waterpik flosser to reach every inner corner and tight space.
- Avoid and reduce your sugar intake, and remember to clean your mouth with water after every meal, and don’t forget to schedule your next dental cleaning.
Key Takeaways
Include one change to your teeth-brushing routine every day. You’ll notice that your mouth feels fresher. Avoiding these teeth-brushing mistakes and regular visits to the dentist ensures long-term protection of your gums.
Love Your Smile, Love Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Millions of people wear braces, from traditional metal braces to clear retainers like Invisible braces that offer a safe solution to closing gaps, preventing crowding, and giving their teeth a symmetrical shape.
For some, DIY braces kits may be a tempting solution to spacing, gaps, and other issues, but are they really safe and effective? There are many reasons to avoid DIY braces kits as an alternative to braces applied by a licensed orthodontist.
Choosing the cheap and easy option of do-it-yourself (DIY) braces can cause severe damage to your teeth and gums.
Are DIY Braces Safe To Use
DIY braces may seem like a quick, easy, and less costly approach to closing the gaps between the teeth. Unfortunately, the DIY treatment can result in long-term oral issues that require complex and costly fixes.
Oral braces kits are available as an affordable alternative to braces. They can be more cost-effective, but you may end up investing more in the long term.
Although DIY braces are quick and easy at-home fixes, they have the potential to damage your metal braces, which can ruin your oral health.
Professional orthodontists receive years of professional training and are specialists in straightening and aligning the teeth and bite.
They also offer a thorough examination to provide the proper treatments needed for the patient.
Moving teeth without examining the health of teeth and gums could cause permanent loss of teeth, which can result in expensive and lifelong dental issues.
Drawbacks Of Using DIY Braces
Although oral braces can be a convenient option for you, there are certain severe risks that come with this approach. Here are some common drawbacks of using oral braces and why you should avoid them.
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Risk Of Severe Infection
Unfortunately, DIY braces don’t include clinical examinations or X-rays to determine any existing dental or oral problems before treatment.
Moving teeth in the presence of underlying teeth or gum disease can worsen these diseases, leading to possible tooth loss.
Whereas specialist orthodontists are experts in recognizing these underlying issues and addressing them before moving the teeth.
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Teeth And Jaw Damage
Straight teeth can cause problems if the teeth bite is not comfortable. Incorrect bites can lead to teeth breaking/chipping, wearing of tooth enamel, and jaw pain.
DIY braces kits only address the straightening of teeth, and they do not change or improve a patient’s bite.
In contrast, orthodontists can easily identify and treat both teeth alignment and bite issues that can cause discomfort and pain.
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Costly And Time Taking Process
Orthodontists are left to fix the damage caused by DIY treatments, which can cost patients large amounts of money and can take years to fix the issues.
Repairing the damage caused by wearing oral braces through dentists’ At-home DIY procedures can be more expensive than investing in the right specialist orthodontic braces from the start.
Is It Easy To Do Teeth Whitening With Braces
While using braces, plaque and debris from the food can get easily snagged in the brackets and wires of the braces, which can damage or stain your teeth and gums.
If you want to effectively whiten your teeth to improve your smile. Orthodontists recommend delaying the process and waiting until their braces are removed.
Because bleaching agents used during extensive whitening can inevitably weaken the attachment of the braces on your teeth.
And even if you clean your teeth while wearing braces, your teeth will become mismatched when you remove the braces. So, it is best to whiten your teeth when your braces are removed to have a perfect and brighter smile.
How To Perfectly Straighten Your Smile
Contact a dentist or an orthodontist, they can recommend the solution to help you achieve an aesthetic and a healthy smile. There are a variety of braces to help you customize your look while correcting any tooth or jaw alignment issues.
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Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are also as affordable as DIY brace kits, but they are more efficient than them.
It includes metal brackets and wires that place the teeth in the right position. You can choose your favorite colors to customize your brackets.
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Designer Braces
It can add accents to your appearance by having various special shapes like hearts and stars, and they also have sports-themed designs.
They are still an effective and safe solution that can help you achieve the exact look that you want to achieve.
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Ceramic Braces
These ceramic braces are almost invisible in look and have teeth-like shapes that blend with your teeth seamlessly.
Reasons Why You Should Consult An Orthodontist
While having any dental problems, it’s crucial to get the right advice from a dental professional to get the right treatment according to your oral conditions.
Orthodontists are dental experts who are professionals in addressing the problem and identifying which treatment options will be best for you, leading to the best outcome and, ultimately, the best smile.
Teeth are best when left to the professionals as you only have one set that you need to last a lifetime.
Key Takeaways
(DIY) oral braces may seem tempting and cost-saving, but the risks of using a DIY braces kit outweigh the potential benefits. No matter how convenient it seems in terms of money, the serious consequences will be a far greater cost to oral health.
When it comes to achieving a perfect, healthy, and beautiful smile, professional care is not just recommended by dentists; it’s essential for your overall oral health.
Get The Smile You’ve Always Dreamed Of
Everyone knows that maintaining your dental health will keep your gums healthy and reduce bad breath and tooth decay. But did you know that your dental health can reveal a lot about your mental state? It has become more apparent today that there is a very strong connection between dental health and mental well-being.
We all understand that maintaining healthy teeth will maintain healthy gums and reduce bad breath and tooth decay. But do you know that your oral health can reveal a lot about your mental health? It has been more evident today that dental health and mental health go hand in hand. Bad oral health is reported to be a cause of depression, anxiety, and loss of cognitive function, and mental health problems can also negatively impact oral hygiene. It is essential to realize this connection to maintain both a healthy mind and mouth.
The Psychological Impact of Dental Health
Dental issues do more than restrict your ability to eat and communicate—they can actually impact your self-esteem and self-worth. In 2022, a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders discovered that patients with tooth loss and gum disease experienced higher levels of depression and anxiety. The problem is that visible dental issues are embarrassing, socially disabling, and of poor quality of life.
Apart from social problems, toothache is also a basic mental health problem. Repeated toothache or gum infection can even result in insomnia, irritability, and elevated stress levels. The British Dental Journal quoted the fact that patients of chronic dental pain will certainly develop depression due to continuity of stress and pain.
Can Dental Health Affect Mental Health?
The relationship of oral and mental health is two-way. Poor oral health can aggravate mental disorders, and depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders may cause a person to neglect their oral health.
A National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research study indicated that patients who had mental disorders had more symptoms of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and loss of teeth caused by neglect, as well as poor oral health behaviors. Depression may lead to fatigue and indolence and result in missed dental appointments as well as in poor brushing and flossing habits. Bruxism, which results in excessive tooth and jaw wear as well as in jaw pain, is caused by anxiety.
Furthermore, the biological connection between oral and mental well-being is inflammation. Chronic gum infection, or periodontitis, has been linked with higher rates of systemic inflammation, which have in turn been linked with mood disorders. In research released in Frontiers in Immunology, periodontitis-induced inflammation has been identified as potentially being behind neurological changes and hence an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Depression and Dental Health: A Two-Way Connection
Depression strongly affects dental hygiene practice but not the other way around, and bad dental health can lead to exacerbation of depression symptoms. In a 2021 study for BMC Psychiatry, depressive patients were over twice as likely to have gum disease or uncured cavities as non-depressive patients.
The discomfort and pain of oral issues can cause mental distress, and in a cycle, poor mental health dissuades one from getting dental treatment. Also, antidepressant medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have one of their side effects being dry mouth, which can bring about more cavities and gum disease.
Can a Tooth Infection Affect Your Mental Health?
Untreated dental infections will lead to systemic effects beyond the tooth. An ongoing cavity infection of the tooth will leak into the circulatory system and cause systemic inflammation and impair brain function.
A research in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry proved that chronic oral infections were more likely to cause cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disorders, i.e., mood disorders, in human beings. A bacterial infection of the tooth can potentially travel through the blood stream and cause inflammation responsible for generating brain effects and highly likely result in the severity of depression and anxiety.
Other than that, an untreated dental abscess can lead to brain infections, which can lead to confusion, loss of memory, and, in the extreme, life-threatening conditions such as sepsis. Therefore, dental infections must be treated at an early stage for physical and mental health.
My Teeth Are Affecting My Mental Health – What Can I Do?
If you find that the health of your mouth is impacting your mood, there are a few things that you can do in an attempt to break the cycle:
- Prioritize Oral Hygiene: Brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups should be done regularly. If you are afraid of dental check-ups, talk to your dentist using sedation.
- Seek Psychological Help: If your self-esteem has been damaged by dental issues or led to depression, you can be helped by counseling or therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is most helpful in conquering dental fear.
- Decrease Stress and Anxiety: Exercise, mindfulness, and breathing diaphragmatically can decrease stress and therefore decrease oral disorders such as bruxism.
- Eat a Balanced Diet and Drink Adequate Fluids: Healthy foods and enough fluids will avoid mouth issues and even improve overall health. Steer clear of excessive sugar and acidic foods to save teeth.
- Treat Infections at Once: If you are sure you have an oral infection, you need to be treated right away to avoid complications on your mental state.
The Bottom Line
The connection between oral and mental health is undeniable. Poor oral hygiene can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and mental issues, while mental disorders can result in the lack of oral care. Healthy dental habits along with the treatment of mental as well as oral health can improve an individual’s well-being. If you are struggling with dental issues affecting your mind, you must visit a dentist as well as a mental health expert to gain control over your life and health.
References-
- PubMed Central February 7, 2022 Association Between Mental Health and Oral Health Status
- American Psychiatrist September 19, 2023 How Dental Health and Mental Health Are Connected