Since you grow up to be able to use a toothbrush, it has been ingrained in your mind: spend 2 minutes brushing your teeth 3 times a day. You might even hum a familiar tune every time you walk to the sink, or do "up and down, round and round" movements like you did when you were five years old.

However, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, more than 80% of people have at least one tooth decay when they are 34 years old, so some things don't add up completely. Although genetic factors affect your likelihood of tooth decay, it is not the only variable. In order to discover some of the most common oral hygiene errors that can cause this problem, we ask the dentist to weigh them.

Many people naturally have to brush their teeth in the morning to suppress bad breath.

"At the end of the day, you will have the most food debris on and between your teeth. In addition, when you sleep, your mouth produces the least active saliva, and the role of saliva is to help clean your teeth," the celebrity Dentist Dr. Jon Marashi explained. “So the bacteria in your mouth now have holiday food to consume in them. The by-product is acid secretions that cause tooth decay. There is no room for negotiation when brushing your teeth at night.”

There is a misunderstanding that the harder we wipe, the better we clean. This is wrong.

"Over time, strong scrubbing can cause enamel wear and gum shrinkage, which ultimately leads to sensitivity problems and loss of tooth structure," warns Dr. Inna Chern, a New York City dentist. "Ideally, you should use a soft-tip toothbrush, or an electric toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association (ADA), which is standard with soft-tips."

Signs of your scrubbing too hard include wear on the brush head, increased sensitivity, and receding gum line in just one to two months. If you can't get rid of this habit, Dr. Chen recommends using an electric brush with a pressure indicator.

Even if you have committed to brushing your teeth throughout the day, if you do not allocate enough time for this task, your efforts will be in vain. Dr. Marashi said: “If you don’t spend enough time brushing your teeth, tartar and biofilm may not be properly removed from the surface of the teeth, leading to plaque deposits, gum inflammation, bad breath and even tooth decay.”

In addition, he added that brushing your teeth in a hurry usually results in the loss of the back teeth, which is where many cavities form. He recommends using a sonic toothbrush with a built-in timer, or you can set a two-minute timer on your phone.

"Although mouthwash is an excellent addition to any oral hygiene program, it does not replace mechanical cleaning of hard-to-reach places between and around teeth," Chen points out. "After we have eaten, the food residue will be broken down in the mouth into a compound called Alba material. We have 8 to 12 hours to remove the debris, lest they harden into plaque and tartar. This requires your medical treatment. The health care provider performs professional cleaning."

Mouthwash can disinfect the oral cavity, but it cannot effectively remove oral debris. Take a few more minutes with traditional dental floss or water flosser. In addition to getting better cleaning, Chen Shengshen said that people who use dental floss have significantly improved their gum health between visits to the dentist.

After we have eaten, the food residue will decompose in the mouth... We have 8 to 12 hours to remove the residue, lest they harden into plaque and tartar.

Although using dental floss sticks is worse than not using dental floss, they are not as effective as traditional dental floss or water floss. "Most people don't even reach their full potential [but]'pop' them through contact and move to the next space," said Dr. Irina Sinensky, a dentist at the New York Dental Center. In addition to not being thorough enough, “this also spreads the bacteria from one location to another. The recommendation is to clean up and down the surface of each tooth root,” she said.

"Patients keep telling me that they don't use dental floss because their gums bleed when they do. I told them to use dental floss more," said Dr. Sinensky. "Unhealthy gums-usually caused by poor oral hygiene-bleed easily when touched. It's like having a debris under your skin that you can never remove. The body will try to bring blood to the area by And try to get rid of the infection to correct the situation."

The more you floss, the less bleeding and the better your oral health. Sinensky said that he tried flossing every day for a week-long challenge. You will see a significant improvement.

Drinking sugary energy drinks or sodas may keep you energetic throughout the day, but it can cause serious damage to your oral health.

"A 16-ounce can can contain nearly 30 grams or more of sugar," Marashi said. "Sugar is a carbohydrate that oral bacteria like to eat. Sugar is also acidic and can cause chemical corrosion of teeth."

If you need a caffeine repair, replace your sugary drinks with black or green tea, which is better for your oral health (and your overall health) because they hardly contain that much sugar. You can also choose coffee. To avoid staining, sip with a straw.

Not all toothpastes are created equal. Better deals may not serve you well.

“It’s important to look for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal on the product, because the ADA ensures that a given toothpaste is properly tested and that it contains the minimum amount of therapeutic ingredients to keep it healthy and free of cavities,” said Chen Shengshen. He added that this is also important for buying "all natural" products. "Ask your dental care provider for their opinion on the best toothpaste for your individual needs. For example, if you have a tooth decay problem, it is important to use fluoride toothpaste. If gingivitis is a problem, there are many toothpastes that can help reduce inflammation. "Chen said.

Likewise, not all whitening products are the same. Chern said that only products that have obtained the ADA mark are used, which indicates that the product has undergone rigorous formulation and efficacy testing. “Other products on the market may be dice rolls, which cause issues such as sensitivity and damage, or may not work at all,” she warned. "If you have any questions, please consult your healthcare provider so that they can discuss various-over-the-counter products on the market."

Going to the dentist from get off work early is a pain-but in the long run, it will make you really painful. Regular visits to the dentist will ensure the health of your teeth and oral cavity. If you wait to see the dentist until you feel pain, then you are probably dealing with a serious problem rather than a problem that could have been solved effectively — and at a lower cost — earlier.

"Many people think that if their mouth is not sore, there is no problem, so they do not go to the dentist regularly. However, if patients neglect to see the dentist regularly and treat minor problems that may arise, more intense and expensive treatment is required. "Sinensky said.

You should see your dentist every six months for regular check-ups. How long have you been? It's time to make an appointment on the calendar.

Correction (July 31, 2019, XXX): The previous version of this article misspelled the name of the dentist. She is Irina Sininsky, not Irina.

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