Should You Be Your Own Dental Hygienist?
DIY Your Teeth Cleaning? Do’s and Don’ts
We get it. You want to take control over your teeth cleaning and reduce the cost of visiting your dentist and dental hygienist. But, we can’t stress enough how important it is to leave the professional teeth cleaning to the professionals. Sure, there are plenty of DIY products out there that claim they can help you get your teeth clean like a dental hygienist would— however inferior products or improper use of these products very well could result in serious side effects. We would like to explain why “DIY Teeth Cleanings” could be damaging and how to adopt appropriate and healthy oral habits you can do at home instead.
Ultrasonic Plaque Removers, Metal Tooth Picks and More…Oh my!
One of the most popular DIY teeth cleaning methods nowadays is using ultrasonic plaque removers or metal tooth picks in an effort to clean your teeth like a dental hygienist would. While this method may seem appealing, especially if it means saving a trip to the dentist’s office, it can potentially be very dangerous. Ultrasonic plaque removers are known for being too aggressive and causing gum recession by attacking healthy tissue along with bacteria. Metal tooth picks, on the other hand, can cause damage to enamel and even lead to broken fillings or crowns if used improperly. There is a reason a dental hygienist has years of specialized training and use high end specialized equipment to conduct your teeth cleanings – because they are essential!
Healthy Oral Habits You Can Do At Home
Fortunately, there are lots of healthy habits that you can do from the comfort of your own home that will help keep your mouth clean and healthy—without having to risk any nasty side effects! Brush twice daily for two minutes each time with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Floss once per day in order to remove buildup from between your teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Remember when you floss to work both sides of the tooth attempting to wrap around the corners with long strokes. Consider adding an antibacterial mouthwash into your routine as well; this will help kill harmful bacteria that could lead to decay or gum disease. Finally, visit your dentist every 6 months for regular checkups so they can make sure everything is up-to-par! They can quickly identify small issues and correct them before they become BIG issues that come with expense and pain.
Conclusion:
It goes without saying that leaving professional teeth cleaning up to the professionals is always a best practice when it comes maintaining good oral hygiene over time. Sure, there are plenty of DIY tools out there claiming they can replicate what a dental hygienist does—but why risk any side effects when there are plenty of healthy habits you can do at home? Stick with brushing twice daily (for two minutes), flossing once per day, adding an antibacterial mouthwash into the rotation, and visit us here at Crossings Dental about every 6 months for checkups—and you won’t have anything to worry about! Working together with us and our friendly dental hygienists will deliver long term results without risking any unnecessary side effects or damage done in the process.
