Your teeth play an important role in your day-to-day life. Teeth allow you to eat the foods you enjoy. Good dental health is important to your overall health. And strong and healthy teeth contribute to a beautiful smile, which helps to boost your overall appearance. While teeth are important, many people make mistakes with their home dental routine that can negatively affect the teeth and may lead to you needing help from a cosmetic dentist to fix the damage. Here are a few common mistakes people make with their home dental routine.

Not Brushing Your Teeth Often Enough

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when it comes to their home dental routine is not brushing their teeth often enough. According to the New York Post, 20% of Americans admit to brushing their teeth fewer than the recommended two times per day. Brushing your teeth twice a day is extremely important to keeping your teeth germ, bacteria, and cavity-free. You should brush your teeth at least once in the morning and once in the evening for at least two minutes each time.

Failing to Floss

Another common mistake that people make with their home dental routine is failing to floss, or failing to floss frequently enough. Flossing is one of the best ways to remove plaque and build-up from the gum pockets around the base of your teeth. It is recommended that you floss at least once every day. If you notice regular bleeding while flossing, talk to your dental professional.

Overusing Whitening Products

The final common mistake people make when it comes to their home dental routine is overusing whitening products, including home whitening remedies. Most whitening products are designed to be used for brief periods of time. These products can be abrasive and can strip enamel from your teeth if overused. To get the whitest smile possible, talk to a cosmetic dentist instead of overusing home whitening products.

Your home dental routine is important to your overall dental health. Your home routine can help your teeth to stay healthy. However, even with the best home dental routine, your teeth can develop superficial stains or damage that you may want to hide or remove. A cosmetic dentist can help to give you a perfect, white smile that you can be proud of. If you have any dental imperfections you want to fix, reach out to Phillips & Schmitt today for a consultation.