Everyone can benefit from taking their oral hygiene to the next level. Oral health is very important for all aspects of the body, so how can you make sure you are doing all you can?
15 tips to improve oral hygiene:
1 – Get a water pick or oral irrigator.
These use water to give a focused rinse out for your whole mouth.
2 – Keep a travel-sized kit with you.
Oral hygiene can be practiced anywhere. All you need is a small bag with flossers, a tiny toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste, and a little bottle of mouthwash.
3 – Use handheld flossers for better mobility when flossing.
A huge step in oral hygiene is proper flossing, so make sure you are able to do it as easily as possible.
4 – Invest in an electric toothbrush.
These are very useful for improving oral hygiene because they do much more than your own movements can do alone.
5 – Set a timer for yourself so you are sure to reach every part of each tooth while you brush.
Two minutes is a good amount of time for this to improve your oral hygiene.
6 – You grind your teeth in your sleep.
Use a mouth guard to avoid cracks and chips where bacteria can breed.
7 – Use a tongue scraper or scrubber.
Your tongue can be home to all kinds of bacteria and particles, so always remember to take care of it during your oral hygiene regimen.
8 – Never forget to take care of your teeth before bed.
Hours of sleep with uncleaned teeth means bacteria is growing and multiplying for all that time. Always take care to practice oral hygiene before you hit the hay.
9 – Fluoride is your friend.
Using a toothpaste with fluoride in it will give your teeth an extra shield of protection from bacteria and plaque.
10 – Stay hydrated.
Being hydrated may seem inconsequential to oral hygiene, but it actually does a lot more than you would think. Drinking water naturally rinses out your mouth, and being hydrated keeps your saliva production up. A dry mouth is a mouth at risk of infection and thriving bacteria.
11 – Antibacterial mouthwash is best.
Using mouthwash with any kind of sugar or artificial flavoring is going to be counterproductive to improving your oral health.
12 – Eat healthy.
Consuming raw fruits and veggies is not only good for your general health, but it will also improve your oral health as well. Raw fruits and vegetables have a “scrubbing” effect on your teeth and do not stick to them like candies and sugary foods do.
13 – Look for the ADA seals on all your oral hygiene products.
ADA stands for the American Dental Association.
14 – Keep your toothbrush clean.
You might think it is clean because it has toothpaste on it when you use it, but that is not the case. An unwashed or covered toothbrush is a breeding ground for microscopic bad guys.
15 – Do it right.
The best order to brush, floss, and rinse when practicing proper oral hygiene is: First, floss; second, mouthwash rinse; and third, brush.
In addition to all these, it is always beneficial to see your dentist regularly. You can also talk to your dentist about other ways you can improve your oral hygiene as well. Contact us today to schedule your next visit.