The 7 pitfalls in oral hygiene

Keeping our oral hygiene at a high level is something few of us succeed at in the long run. Here are the 7 most common pitfalls you should absolutely try to avoid!

1. Not brushing often enough!

There are several ways and techniques to keep your teeth and mouth as healthy as possible. Our dental hygienist is happy to share her knowledge with you. Read her tips and prevent any oral problems.Although obvious, this is undoubtedly the most common pitfall. It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day because it ensures that the bacterial build-up of plaque stops. This prevents the harmful effects this plaque can have in terms of cavities and gum disease. Studies have shown that even skipping one brushing can start the process of cavity formation. And plaque build-up along the gumline is one of the main causes of gum disease. So brush more often!

2. Incorrect brushing technique

Using the right brushing technique is at least as important as brushing itself. After all, you can brush three times a day but if you don’t remove all the plaque it will continue to affect your teeth. One of the most common mistakes is systematically skipping areas of the mouth. When brushing your teeth, you need to make sure that every element is cleaned and that the entire surface of the teeth is being reached with the toothbrush. In Dutch society, where everyone is in a hurry, this is quite often forgotten. Plaque and tartar then develop, which can eventually lead to the formation of caries or inflammation of the gums. Brushing hard will not remove more plaque, so brush gently but thoroughly.

3. Not using the appropriate toothbrush

Toothbrushes come in different shapes and sizes. On the retail shelves you will find a variety of hard to ultra soft brushes with short and long bristles, bristles made of nylon or rubber and in all kinds of trendy colours. At blue®m, we recommend using an ultra soft toothbrush. This is important because a soft brush prevents damage in terms of receding gums. Retracted gums cause the root to be exposed and sensitivity to heat and cold can occur. Moreover, the substance your tooth root is made of (dentin) is softer and, again, more sensitive to the effect of brushing too hard. It will wear out in this way, increasing oral problems.

4. Not replacing the toothbrush often enough

We’ve all done it at one time or another: used a toothbrush that really should have gone in the bin by now. On average, it is recommended to replace the brush every three months. Once the bristles are beginning to stand apart, thus losing their action, it is high time to replace the brush. Always have brushes or brush heads in stock so that a brush can be replaced in time. Did you know you can subscribe to blue®m on toothbrushes, for example? This ensures that new brushes are always in stock on time. Find out how it works 

5. Not cleaning between the teeth

No matter how well or how often you brush, not every little spot between the teeth can be reached with a toothbrush. In practice, 60% of plaque can be brushed away with a toothbrush, but the remaining 40% requires a toothpick, interdental brush or floss tape. Interdental cleaning using interdental tools helps to remove plaque and food particles that have built up between the teeth. So make sure you clean interdental every day.

6. Too much sugar

Our diet in today’s affluent society is one of the main causes of tooth decay. Far too much sugar is often ingested unnoticed. Avoid excessive consumption of sugary drinks and reduce the number of times you eat between meals. Moreover, it is important to reduce the consumption time and residence time of sugary products in the mouth. Think of sweets, liquorices and (non sugar free) chewing gum, which can cause more imbalance due to their relatively long presence in the mouth. Not only your mouth but your entire body will thank you.
If you do like to chew gum, at least take sugar-free gum with lactoferrin and xylitol. This one is not harmful to your teeth and what’s more, research has shown that using sugar-free gum after a meal can make all the difference to your mouth and overall health for several reasons. It not only removes bacteria from chewing surfaces, but also stimulates saliva production, which in turn determines your overall health.

7. Not visiting the dentist