We all do our best to stay healthy and, for many, that means keeping up a routine of eating a healthy diet and exercising a few times a week. Sometimes, though, life gets in the way of our goals and we notice that habits we used to be diligent about may have started to fade away. This can happen in any aspect of our lives, but it’s especially easy to go unnoticed when it comes to some of our most routine tasks, like brushing our teeth. Maybe you were once diligent about a full two minute brush, night and day, but recently you’ve been setting down the brush a bit early. Perhaps you let yourself skip flossing one day, but weeks later you realized one day turned to many more than you’d anticipated. If you’re in need of getting your dental hygiene routine back on track, we’re here to help you with a few quick tricks to sort you out!
1. Get a new toothbrush.
It’s recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) that toothbrushes be replaced at least every 3 months. New, strong, clean bristles are needed to best help you scrub away plaque and bacteria and keep your teeth clean and healthy!
2. Drink more water.
Staying adequately hydrated has multiple health benefits, but drinking plenty of water throughout the day is a great way to keep your mouth nice and happy. Water not only helps to wash away food particles, but staying hydrated also means you’re producing as much saliva as you need to help keep bacteria out of your mouth even when you aren’t sipping!
3. Refresh your brushing technique.
Many of us learned how to brush our teeth at a young age and have probably never considered whether or not we learned properly. Not all strokes are equal, however! It’s best to brush your teeth in small, concentric circles rather than simply up and down. Brush for at least two minutes, keep your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, and brush every side of your teeth as well as along the gum line!
4. Actually start flossing.
Flossing really is as important as your dentist always tells you it is. That little piece of nylon string can help dislodge bits of food and plaque that your toothbrush will never be able to reach. Flossing daily helps reduce your chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
5. Stop snacking on sugar-loaded candy.
Sugar is as bad for your teeth as flossing is good for them! Sugary candy, especially things that are particularly gummy and sticky, can cling to your teeth for hours after you indulge, damaging your enamel and eventually leading to tooth decay. If you do want to feed your sweet tooth, make sure to brush soon after snacking to rid your mouth of harmful leftover sugar.
If you’ve got questions about how you can enhance your oral health routine, or if you would simply like to make an appointment for a routine checkup and cleaning, give us a call at Aurora Dental Group today!
