Your at-home dental care routine is one of the most important and effective ways to maintain your beautiful smile.
But are you doing it right?
Of course, no one is perfect all the time, but it might surprise you how many of these dental habits have been missing from your daily dental care! Keep reading for seven tips you can start implementing today to improve your oral health.
- Brush your teeth…the right way
Sure, you already brush your teeth, but that doesn’t mean a lot if you’re not doing it the right way. Proper brushing is one of the most helpful habits you can form and it looks a lot like this:
- Brush twice a day for at least two minutes.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Use gentle circular motions – don’t saw back and forth.
- Get all of your teeth, front and back, as well as your gums.
- Give your tongue a little love
It’s so easy to forget about brushing your tongue during the nightly routine. In reality, though, your tongue is just as likely to harbour nasty bacteria and plaque as your teeth are. Give your tongue a few scrapes with a specialised tongue brush or even the back of your toothbrush.
- Floss, floss, floss!
We know. We say it every time – but flossing is a good dental hygiene habit to start getting serious about. How else are you going to get between your teeth and ensure there’s nothing hiding there? While a length of dental floss is ideal, dental picks are better than nothing – just make sure to clean between your teeth once a day (at least) to reduce the risk of plaque, tartar and gum disease.
- Don’t brush right after eating
This might be a new one for you. Did you know that it’s usually better to wait after eating before you brush your teeth? This is because bacteria break down the food in your mouth and turn it into acid, which can stick to your teeth for about half an hour before your saliva washes it away. If you brush immediately after eating, you might end up grinding that acid into your enamel, especially if you use abrasive toothpaste as well.
- Invest in some fluoride products
Fluoride has a bad reputation online, but who do you trust more – your dentist or the bloggers you follow? Fluoride is actually extremely important for strengthening your enamel and protecting your teeth against erosion, decay and sensitivity.
- Drink more water
One of the best things you can do for your oral and overall health is to stay hydrated! Not only does water help you function, but it also has the added benefit of washing off your teeth and mouth, so be sure to drink some with every meal to keep bacteria and plaque from building up.
- Take a hard look at your diet
We’re not just talking about limiting sugars and starches – it’s time to actively change your diet to include more whole foods, especially fruits and veggies. Hard, crunchy fruits and veg such as apples and carrots can actually help strengthen your jaw and teeth and remove plaque as you eat. So when it comes to whole foods, feel free to munch away!