Daily brushing doesn’t guarantee you’re giving your mouth the attention it deserves. You should observe the following dental hygiene tips.
Even a regular oral hygiene routine could leave gaps if you engage in some not-so-great habits when brushing.
Take your dental hygiene routine to the next level with these dental hygiene tips to ensure a thorough cleaning.
Dental Hygiene Tips 1.There’s no need to sugarcoat it.
The sugar we consume fuels bacteria and acidity in our mouths, causing plaque to form and eating away at our enamel and gums.
Each time you indulge in sugar, from sweetened coffee in the morning to ice cream at night, your pearly whites are hit with up to 20 minutes of acid production.
Brushing well may remove bacteria and food particles from your teeth, but if you eat a snack afterward, you’ll need to brush again before bed.
It is possible for food particles and sugar to remain on your teeth for too long after a snack (without brushing), providing fuel for bacteria.
Dental Hygiene Tips 2. Do not cover yout toothbrush
To keep your toothbrush clean, you don’t need special equipment or covers. In fact, the ADA warns that covering your toothbrush can breed new bacteria.
In the future, you should rinse your brush after each use and let it air dry. You should also avoid sharing brushes with others, even your children.
Dental Hygiene Tips 3. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles
It is important to use a toothbrush with soft bristles, like the ES brushes. With the right technique, it should last up to three months. If you use the same toothbrush for more than a few months, the bristles may no longer give you the best clean.
It’s time to replace it when you notice bent bristles, but don’t wait too long. Even a straight bristle tip can become blunted instead of rounded, causing teeth and gum damage.
Dental Hygiene Tips 4. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months
Instead, replace your brush every three to four months or at your semiannual dental checkup.
You might be one of the roughly 50% of Americans who don’t visit the dentist yearly due to dental phobia, finances, or plain neglect.
If you see your dentist twice a year (as the American Dental Association suggests), you’ll be able to catch decay, gum disease, trauma, or cancer at an early stage when they’re treatable.