Nobody’s perfect. We all pick up bad habits along the way. Even our oral health isn’t immune. Try as you may, odds are you’ve picked up a habit or two in the name of convenience. That’s totally okay! We get it. And that’s why we’re here: to ensure your oral health is in fantastic shape.

Here are a few less-than-stellar dental habits that we often see, with some tips on how to break them this upcoming new year.

Putting Off a Dental Visit – You knew we had to start here! If you don’t visit the dentist every six months, or if it’s been a while since we’ve seen your smile, schedule an appointment today! You can call us at 650-838-0260 or go through our online scheduling to make an appointment.

Staying on top of your health today can save yourself a lot of time and money down the road!

Not Flossing Again – You probably figured this would be on here. And you know what, it’s for good reason. Flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gum diseases like red bleeding gum of gingivitis and and bone decay/loss in periodontitis. It’s super important!

So how can you remember to floss more? Put a post-it note on your mirror as a reminder. Invest in a flossing stick — some people find it much easier than the traditional method. Floss at the same time each day to build up a routine.You can also start small, setting a goal of once per week. After that settles in you may find yourself craving a good floss after brushing.

Brushing Too Vigorously is One of the top causes of gum recession and coarse sandy toothpaste is the cause of worn enamel and dentin at the neck of your teeth. If your arm is sore after brushing, or you look like a cartoon sawing at your teeth, pull back on the reins. Keep your toothbrush at a 90 -degree angle toward the base of the gums and around your teeth and move the brush side way with mild pressure rubbing back and forth . Here’s a good recommendation for an electric toothbrush: Rotadent ProCare Electric Toothbrush.

Using an Old Toothbrush? When was the last time you changed your toothbrush? It’s not something you often think of, right? The problem with using an old toothbrush its frayed bristles can end up damaging your teeth rather than cleaning them properly. You should change your manual toothbrush when you see it flares out and so weak that you don’t feel like your teeth are clean after brushing them. It doesn’t matter 2 weeks or 3 months. It is all about how your teeth feel and how much pressure and quality of the tooth brush.

Please Do Not Let the Water Run while you brush your teeth. After you wet your toothbrush, turn off the tap. That initial wetting is all the water you’ll need. Turning off the water is good for your bill and great for Mother Earth.

For more Oral Health Resolutions, check out New Year, Healthier Mouth