Beyond brushing your teeth twice a day, did you know that there are even more simple ways you can improve your oral hygiene? It only takes about five minutes a day to brush your teeth and floss your teeth.  

Even better, you’ll benefit from a reduction in cavities and tooth decay, fresher smelling breath, improved overall health, and a sparkling smile that you can feel confident in.   

Keep reading to learn five simple ways to jumpstart your dental care routine today!  

1. Wait Before Brushing  

Brushing your teeth twice a day helps remove food particles and plaque that slowly eat away at your tooth enamel. However, brushing your teeth too early after eating can actually do more damage than you realize.   

Acidic foods, in particular, soften your tooth enamel temporarily, making it more susceptible to be stripped away if you brush immediately after and open you up to a greater chance of tooth decay.   

With this in mind, make sure that you wait 30 to 60 minutes after eating or drinking acidic foods and drinks before you brush your teeth.   

2. Avoid Sipping on Sugary Drinks  

While drinking sugary drinks in moderation is completely fine, you’ll want to avoid sipping on them throughout the day. This is because the constant exposure to sugar will turn into harmful lactic acid because of the bacteria in your mouth.   

Over time, lactic acid dissolves your tooth enamel, leading to increased tooth decay and cavities. This is one of the reasons why athletes experience more tooth decay than anyone else—they sip on sugary sports drinks frequently.   

Make sure to drink sugary drinks all at once instead of throughout the day. You can also swish your mouth with water after consuming them. 

3. Don’t Neglect Your Tongue  

Did you know that along with your teeth, it’s essential to give your tongue a brush as well? When your tongue is white, this is a sign that bacteria and dead cells are trapped between the papillae on the surface of your tongue.   

However, regardless of whether you notice that your tongue is white or not, you should take some time to brush it with your toothbrush or, even better, a tongue scraper. It only takes a few extra seconds in your routine and can even improve your breath if you suffer from halitosis.   

4. Pay Attention to Your Toothbrush  

It’s important that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth so that you’re not causing your gums to recede or wear down your tooth enamel. Unfortunately, your toothbrush can also harbor harmful bacteria, so make sure to rinse it well after brushing and store it in a place where it gets airflow to dry quickly.   

You’ll also want to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. The bristles can become worn, meaning that brushing your teeth will be far less effective.   

5. Use Fluoride  

Last but not least, we can’t understate the importance of fluoride for your dental health. This naturally occurring is found in water, soil, plants, rocks, and air. Used commonly in drinking water, toothpaste, mouth rinses, and supplements, here are some of its numerous benefits:   

• Remineralizing your tooth enamel  

• Reversing early tooth decay  

• Preventing harmful bacteria from proliferating   

This is why it’s imperative that you use toothpaste and mouth rinses that contain this vital ingredient. Without fluoride, you won’t experience the full benefits of brushing your teeth!  

Improve Your Dental Hygiene: One Step at a Time 

Keep in mind that improving your oral hygiene doesn’t happen overnight. Focus on improving one tip from the above list at a time until it becomes a habit. You can then move on to another technique so that you’re not overwhelmed by too much change!   

We recommend starting by brushing your teeth for two minutes at a time, morning and night. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle as you use small circles to brush the surface of your teeth, the inside, and the biting surfaces.   

Of course, your routine isn’t complete without scheduling annual appointments at the dentist. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!