I’m a dentist – here are the most common mistakes patients make

Going to the dentist is a nerve-wracking experience for many Brits – it can be intimidating to think you might have to undergo a procedure.

According to Dental Phobia, 53% of the UK population suffer from fear or anxiety when visiting the dentist.

However, most people still push and force themselves to go as they know how important oral hygiene is.

From simple tasks like replacing your toothbrush to recognizing the signs of gum disease, there are many ways you can take care of your teeth to help your date go smoothly.

Dr Deepak Aulak, dentist and founder of digital dentistry app Toothfairy, has revealed the most common mistakes patients make that you should avoid to keep your teeth in good shape before your next trip to the dentist.

Dr Deepak Aulak, dentist and founder of digital dentistry app Toothfairy, has shared his tips on how to avoid common mistakes and keep your teeth in good shape before your next trip to the dentist.

Avoiding bleeding areas

The first mistake people make is to avoid bleeding areas – it can be tempting to ignore the problem and brush it off, but it will only make things worse.

Dr Aulak explained ‘Many patients brush their teeth and avoid areas where there is pain or bleeding.

“On the contrary, these areas should not be avoided, they should be brushed more as there is likely to be early gum disease in these areas.”

Washing really hard

Second, brushing your teeth harder isn’t the solution you think it is—it can actually do more harm than good.

Instead, ‘use gentle but firm pressure to brush’ as ​​’being too gentle or firm can be harmful to your gums and teeth’.

Waiting for visible signs to book an appointment

The expert said that ‘some patients wait for toothache before booking to see their dentist’.

He advised that while it can be difficult to keep on top of oral health. it’s important: ‘Just as your car needs an annual MOT, so do your teeth.

Try to have regular check-ups with your dentist to prevent diseases.

Similarly, replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or when the bristles start to break.

Using teeth as tools

Another common mistake people make is using teeth as tools.

Although this may seem obvious, it can be easy to dismiss the damage you can do.

It’s tempting to quickly use your teeth for something when you can’t find the right tools, like opening a bottle or biting your nails.

Dr Aulak clarified that you should definitely not do this as it can break or chip your teeth.

Going to the dentist is an overwhelming experience for many Brits – it can be intimidating to think you might have to undergo a procedure

Not to be used regularly with primary thread

Flossing is an important step to add to your dental hygiene routine – you can get your hands on some for just £1.50.

You should ‘try to floss to maintain the gaps between your teeth and gums regularly to maintain good oral hygiene’.

The expert added that you should also try to ‘use fluoride toothpaste (that’s safe) and mouthwash’.

Drinking too many sugary drinks

Dentists advised that ‘although it is now a trend among health enthusiasts, drinking too much lemon water damages enamel with all its acidic PH’.

Adding ‘the same effect occurs with fizzy drinks, even if they are sugar free’.

“Avoiding sugary drinks is difficult, but where possible try to use straws to bypass the acidic nature of teeth and the risk of decay.”

Using “Dr Google”

Finally, Dr Aulak says “you shouldn’t self-medicate or diagnose especially because there is a lot of false information on the internet and social media”.

We’ve all googled something and panicked as a result – it’s never worth it.

Instead you should ‘always seek advice from a professional to maintain a healthy smile’.