It’s a fact of modern-day life that brushing your teeth twice a day is the best way to care for your smile. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash are probably the first and last steps of your everyday routine, but there’s always room for improvement! Knowing the ways to improve your dental hygiene routine puts you in charge of your total oral health, and our team is here to give you the tips and tricks you need to avoid cavities and bad breath. Keep reading to learn more about how making minor tweaks to your hygiene habits will give you the happiest, healthiest smile possible!
Don’t Forget the Power of Water!
Water becomes your new best friend when you’re looking to improve your dental hygiene habits. There are so many ways that this simple tool can change the way you care for your teeth and make you feel confident in your smile.
1: Water Helps Prevent Cavities & Staining
One of the most powerful steps you can take toward a beautiful smile is simply drinking more water, and it isn’t surprising why! Many other drinks, like soda or juice, are packed with sugar. In fact, you’ll likely hit your daily sugar intake limit by drinking just one can of soda. With that much liquid sugar, you’re practically giving your teeth a sugar bath – and that puts bad bacteria on high alert, leading to cavities or even gum disease over time.
Drinks like unsweetened tea or black coffee may not have a high sugar content, but they run the risk of staining your teeth over time. Follow these drinks up with a glass of water to rinse off the tannins – or better yet, switch to water and avoid stains altogether!
2: Water Helps You Get Your Daily Dose of Fluoride
Fluoride is a huge tool for keeping your teeth strong and healthy, and because of these health benefits, most water is fluoridated. Bad bacteria tend to produce acid that can harm the enamel on your teeth. This mineral helps rebuild that lost enamel to strengthen your teeth against damage. At the end of the day, simply drinking more fluoridated water packs a huge punch against cavities and tooth decay.
3: Rinsing with Water Keeps Your Teeth Clean
No one likes being told they’ve got something stuck in their teeth. It’s embarrassing, and the longer food is stuck in your teeth, the likelier you are to get a cavity! Keeping a bottle of water around is a great way to improve your oral hygiene – just rinse after meals or snacks, and you’re on the right track!
4: Floss with Water
Introducing water flossers, the newest way to clean between your teeth! Water flossers like Waterpik use a stream of concentrated water to dislodge food particles that could attract cavity-creating bacteria.
Use the Right Tools
If a carpenter is only as good as his tools, an oral hygiene machine is too! Keeping the right toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss is a great way to improve your oral hygiene routine.
1: Toothbrush & Toothpaste
With so many toothbrush options on the market, your first instinct might be to get the one with the heaviest-duty bristles – but resist the urge! Our Caring Family Dentistry professionals agree that soft-bristled toothbrushes (no matter if you use a manual or electric toothbrush) are the best for cleaning your smile.
When choosing your toothpaste, make sure the tube is approved by the American Dental Association before adding it to your cart. Toothpaste with a higher fluoride content will give you better protection against decay – and try not to rinse after brushing to let the fluoride work its magic!
2: Mouthwash
To keep your breath fresh and minty, it’s a good idea to have the right mouthwash on hand. Just like with toothpaste, a good mouthwash will have a higher fluoride content – but with so many different types of mouthwash, it’s best to ask your dentist which one is right for you.
3: Floss
To choose the right floss for your smile, you’ll need to consider your unique teeth. For example, if your teeth are further spaced, you might want to select a thicker floss to ensure you’re getting the most out of this tool. If they’re more crowded, choose a thinner strand. If your floss tends to break while you’re using it, try a waxed version for the best results.
Visit Caring Family Dentistry for Your Regular Check-Ups
Keeping up with your regular dental appointments helps our team help you. At every appointment, you’ll get a professional tooth cleaning that can rid your teeth of any plaque or tartar buildup that can be hard to get on your own. We can detect cavities and help stop them in their tracks, so you can feel more comfortable with your oral hygiene.
We recommend visiting us twice a year, so schedule your next appointment today!
Keep Your Smile Healthy at Caring Family Dentistr!
Creating healthy, beautiful smiles is the name of the game at Caring Family Dentistry, but we couldn’t do it without your help! Maintaining your oral hygiene routine between dental check-ups is essential to protecting your teeth and feeling confident in your grin. Be sure to implement each of these tips and tricks into your daily routine to make sure you’re looking and feeling your best – and we’ll take care of the rest!
Schedule your next appointment today so you can get the beautiful smile you deserve.