We know that most people don’t enjoy their dental visits (though a patient of ours once said that coming to the dentist was like a vacation compared to giving birth), but it’s very important for your oral—and overall—health. The buzzing, the drilling, the scraping, the poking and prodding, none of it is enjoyable. You might fear that your dentist will find cavities or that he will notice how often you don’t floss.
If you’re one of those people who ramps up the brushing and flossing routine in the weeks before your dentist appointment, then this blog post is for you. Most dentists would agree that 1) it’s not helpful, and 2) it can actually be harmful.
Flossing and brushing aggressively in the days before your dentist appointment doesn’t undo any damage that’s been caused by your lack of oral hygiene over the past 6 months. It does, however, cause gum sensitivity, inflammation, and recession.
If you keep with the routine recommended by dentists (brushing 2-3 times per day and flossing once per day), you should be fine. If, however, you’re looking to ramp up your routine, an electric toothbrush with a rotating head is a good option. They tend to keep your mouth cleaner overall because they loosen plaque and stray food particles better than traditional toothbrushes. Be careful, though, because putting too much pressure on your gums while the toothbrush head is rotating can also cause damage.