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Have you ever been nervous about disappointing your dentist when he examines your smile? If so, our Ideal Smile Dentistry team has some tips that will help you avoid that! Whatever you do, please do not do the following things:

Use a hard-bristled toothbrush
Hard-bristled toothbrushes can severely harm your smile. When you use them, they can cause pain, erode your tooth enamel, and irritate your gums so much that your gums will move away from your teeth. The best tool to use while cleaning your smile is a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Refuse to floss daily
It is very important to floss at least once a day. If you don’t, food and plaque will stick between your teeth and will start to develop tooth decay and gum disease. Please remember to floss daily and to also floss properly so your smile has the best chance at survival.

Refuse to wear a mouthguard
If you are an athlete, it’s best to protect your mouth with a mouthguard while you play your sport. Mouthguards reduce your chances of oral injury, whether it’s your teeth getting chipped or knocked out or your bite becoming misaligned. So, please remember to wear a mouthguard.

Share utensils
Sharing utensils and toothbrushes can greatly increase your chances of developing tooth decay. It can also fill your mouth with harmful bacteria, germs, and infections that can alter your overall health. It’s best to avoid sharing utensils altogether.

Grind your teeth
Many people tend to grind their teeth at night or when they are stressed. If you are one of these people, we ask you to stop. Teeth grinding can easily wear and fracture your teeth.

If you participate in these five habits, you may be on Dr. Seth Walden’s bad side, and you don’t want that! All you need to do is avoid these habits at all costs and your dentist will finally be proud of you and your oral health. For more information about smile or dental care in Columbus, Georgia, please call 706.257.7374 now. We are here to teach you all we know so you can reach the smile of your dreams!