Could You Be Overdoing Your Oral Hygiene Routine
                     COULD YOU BE
OVERDOING
YOUR ORAL 
 HYGIENE  
ROUTINE?
It is always nice to see patients being  
proactive about their oral health.
You can look forward to easier dental 
 checkups and cleanings when you  
brush your teeth regularly.
Flossing also helps to prevent you  
from needing more intensive gum 
 disease treatments.
Yet, there can also be too much of
a good thing when it comes to trying 
 to take care of your teeth.
We recommend following these  
strategies to make sure that you do 
 not do more harm than good with  
your oral hygiene routine.
Be Gentle With Your Gum Care
Your gums are one of the most  
vulnerable areas of your mouth.
The areas where your gums meet  
your teeth are prone to infection  
if biofilm is not removed regularly.
Flossing is one way to get these  
areas clean, but you can also hurt  
your gums by doing this too hard.
Never pop the floss between your  
teeth. This can lead to painful cuts.
Instead, gently move the string  
between your teeth using an up  
and down motion.
Watch Out For Signs of Aggressive Toothbrushing
People also tend to brush their  
teeth too hard.
As long as you brush your teeth
2 to 3 times a day, you should not
have enough plaque build up to 
 require scrubbing.
In fact, your dental hygienist can  
remove any hardened plaque using 
 safe techniques in our office 
during  your routine cleanings.
Aggressive toothbrushing can cause  
teeth sensitivity and enamel erosion.
Be sure to mention these issues 
 to us during your visits so that  
we can look for damage caused  
by improper brushing.
Beware the Dangers of Using Too Much Mouthwash
Fresh breath gives you confidence 
 in social situations.
You may also use mouthwash
to address oral health issues such as 
 frequent cavities or gum disease.
However, some mouthwashes can  
dry out your mouth if you use them 
 too much.
Ones that contain fluoride
or hydrogen peroxide can also
cause damage if you use them 
 too frequently.
As a general rule, you should  
only use mouthwash once a day, 
 and check with us to find one  
that is safe.
Minimize Home Whitening Treatments
Similar to fresh breath, white teeth  
are considered to be a sign of health  
and beauty.
However, there can also be too much 
 of a good thing when it comes
to whitening treatments.
Using whitening toothpaste,  
mouth rinses and trays together
on a daily basis can lead to 
gingivitis  and enamel erosion.
Instead, get professional treatments  
done in our office.
You can also ask us which products  
are best to use at home. This way,  
you can leave the others out of your 
 hygiene routine.
Ask Your Dentist to Check Your Technique
The best way to know if you are  
doing your oral hygiene routine  
properly is to ask for a professional  
assessment at your checkup.
While it might feel a little strange 
 to brush or floss while we watch,
the truth is that we only want to 
help.
Often, just a simple change,  
such as holding your toothbrush
at a 45-degree angle, is all it takes 
 to make your efforts safer
and more effective.
We can also show you ways to floss  
your teeth that are easier.
For instance, you might be more  
comfortable using a floss pick or holder.
Your dedication to keeping your mouth 
 clean plays a huge role in your overall  
oral health.
While we applaud you being proactive,  
we also want to make sure that you are 
 careful not to go overboard.
Choose a soft toothbrush, use gentle  
motions and be careful how you floss.
Soon, you will see the benefits
of learning how to care for your teeth 
 properly such as reduced sensitivity.
Noble Dental Care is a family oriented 
 dental care clinic with dentists that  
care about you and your health.
Give us the opportunity to give 
 you the smile of your dreams.
Call us for an appointment 
 at (480) 820-3515.