Oral Health: Good Pressure Vs. Bad Pressure

Have you been placing your smile under pressure? Perhaps you’re feeling the pressure when it comes to scheduling dental care. How on earth is one supposed to know what’s good, what’s bad, and how to approach dental care in a healthy, effective way? Fortunately, protecting your oral health is simpler than you might think. We encourage you to learn more about avoiding damage and sensitivity (while promoting a healthy grin) with some easy-to-digest details.

Bad Pressure

If you’re putting any kind of physical pressure on your smile, you’re doing a disservice to your oral health. We know that you may make the assumption that strength and force are best for removing plaque but the opposite is actually true. Gentleness and consistency are where it’s at! Remember the following:

• Use soft bristles
• Apply light pressure when you brush or floss
• Avoid anything aggressive, such as abrasive toothpaste

Good Pressure

When we’re discussing this topic, the only pressure that should be employed is the healthy pressure you put on yourself to schedule and show up for visits. It’s extremely important, for instance, that you see us two times every single year for checkups and cleanings. It is equally important that you come in to see us for restorative treatments when necessary. Take this advice, however, with the following in mind:

• You should never feel stressed about dental care – it’s good to feel committed but it’s not good to feel anxious
• If you do find that you feel anxious, talk to us about incorporating sedation into your visits, so you can enjoy remaining dedicated to oral health without tension