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

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

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

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

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

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

Avoiding bleeding areas

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

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

‘In contrary these areas should not be avoided, they should be brushed more as there is likely early gum disease in these areas.’

Brushing really hard

Secondly, brushing your teeth harder is not the solution you think it is – it could actually do more damage than good.

Instead, ‘use gentle but firm pressure to brush’ as ‘going either too soft or hard can be detrimental to your gums and teeth.’

Waiting for the obvious signs to book an appointment

The expert said that ‘some patients wait for dental pain before they book to see their dentist.’

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

‘Try to have regular checks with your dentist to prevent disease.

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

Using teeth as tools

Another common mistake people make is using their teeth as tools.

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

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

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

Not flossing regularly 

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

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

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

Drinking too many sugary drinks

The dentists advised that ‘even though it now a trend amongst health enthusiasts, drinking a lot of lemon water is damaging enamel with all the acidic PH’.

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

‘Avoiding sugary drinks is hard but where possible try to use straws to bypass the acidic nature on the teeth and decay risk.’

Using ‘Dr Google’

Finally, Dr Aulak says you ‘should not self-treat or diagnose especially because there is 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 a professionals advice to maintain a healthy smile’.