You brush, you floss, you visit the dentist regularly. You’re taking care of your oral health….but there could be more to do to protect that beautiful smile. Here are six simple tips for boosting your oral hygiene.
1. Don’t Brush After Acids
After you eat or drink acidic foods, your teeth enamel is softer. This temporary effect lessens after half an hour to one hour. Wait to brush after consuming something like orange juice or coffee to protect your enamel.
2. Change your toothbrush
You may think you need a hard toothbrush to really scrub those teeth, but the opposite is true. A soft-bristled toothbrush is more gentle on your gums, so it does not cause as much wear and tear over time. It is just as effective at cleaning teeth and won’t erode gums, so we recommend making the switch.
If you are feeling fancier, try an electric toothbrush. It tends to be more effective than manual brushing for most people, so you will enjoy healthier teeth with less effort.
3. Use antimicrobial mouthwash
Antimicrobial mouthwash kills bad bacteria that can linger in your mouth. When bacteria is removed, it cannot build up and form plaque. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy that minty fresh feeling!
4. Practice good basics
You know that you should be brushing your teeth twice a daily (and flossing right after), but do you always practice good oral hygiene? If not, it’s time to get up to speed by brushing twice a day.
Some people are so conscientious about oral health they have an opposite problem. You may know the saying “too much of a good thing”–but did you know it holds true for teeth brushing? That’s right, going overboard on brushing those shiny whites can actually be bad for your oral health. If you were to brush more than twice a day, your gums and enamel could be impacted. Instead of brushing extra times, swish water through your mouth to dislodge any food particles.
5. Eat raw foods
We’re not telling you to adopt a raw diet, but raw foods are great for oral health! Snack on fresh fruit and other raw foods that contain fiber. Not only are these healthy and delicious, they actually remove plaque from your teeth and can keep teeth whiter longer.
6. Wash your toothbrush holder
When was the last time you washed your toothbrush holder?
Yeah, we thought so. That toothbrush holder can get pretty grimy over time, yet most people do not ever think to clean it. As a best practice, you should wash out that toothbrush holder once a week. You may be able to put it in the dishwasher for a quick clean. This will prevent the transfer of bacteria and germs onto your hands.
These six tips are great for protecting the health of your teeth at any age. Combined with visits to our Tampa dentistry, they’ll keep your teeth and gums in great shape.