Four oral hygiene mistakes your patients are making

A healthy smile is a happy smile. Helping your dental patients keep their smiles healthy is just one of your many jobs. One of the best ways to help your patients develop healthy oral habits is through education. 

Discuss with them which habits they should develop and which ones they should toss. At Midwest Sedation Consultants, our team provides conscious sedation certification for dentists and professional advice. 

We have gathered four of the most common oral hygiene mistakes that your patients are making and how they can solve them. 

Oral hygiene mistakes 

Not brushing twice a day 

One step that your dental patients should never skip is brushing their teeth. On their next checkup, make sure you are asking them how many times a day they brush. You may be surprised to know that not all your patients brush their teeth twice a day. 

A poll found that 46 percent of men and 57 percent of women in the U.S. only brush their teeth once a day. It is important your patients are brushing at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and night. Brushing helps prevent the buildup of plaque, tartar and cavities. 

Forgetting to floss 

Flossing is often the most forgotten step in everyone’s daily routine. Spotlight Oral Care reports that 58 percent of people do not floss at all, while 47 percent only floss weekly. People do not floss because they believe that there is nothing in between their teeth. 

Flossing’s purpose is to remove food and plaque in between teeth. This bacteria builds in between the teeth and gums. Flossing at least once a day helps decrease the risk of gum disease and tooth loss. 

Rarely replacing their toothbrush

Toothbrushes are handy tools to keep teeth clean. Like anything else, toothbrushes wear down through time and need to be replaced. Some people make the mistake of never or rarely replacing their toothbrushes. 

Reports show that 42 percent of people do not change their toothbrushes as often as recommended. Dental professionals recommend replacing a toothbrush every three to four months. Replacing it helps ensure that the bristles are working properly to remove plaque, tartar and no bacteria is growing on it.

Skipping out on regular dental check-ups 

Your dental patients should not be only seeing you when they have tooth pain. The American Dental Association reports that, on average, 42 percent of Americans do not see their dentist as often as they should. Some of the reasons people are not seeing a dentist are because of time, cost or dental anxiety. 

Yes, your dental patients might be avoiding seeing you due to anxiety or fear. It is estimated that 36 percent of the population suffers from dental anxiety or fear. As a dentist, you can help your anxious dental patients by offering conscious sedation. 

This kind of sedation is administered through a sedative and helps patients ease their dental anxiety. In order to offer conscious sedation, you need to ensure you have conscious sedation certification for dentists.

How to get your conscious sedation certification for dentists

If you are looking to get your conscious sedation certification, visit Midwest Sedation Consultants’ website! We offer online conscious sedation courses that are approved by eight states and taught by experienced professionals. Find a class here!