Keeping your smile healthy and whole for a lifetime requires excellent oral hygiene at home as well as a routine checkup and cleaning every 6 months. You can let the professionals handle the second part, but when it comes to oral hygiene at home, it’s all up to you. Keep reading for 5 hygiene tips from your dentist in 75062!
#1: Set a Timer for Brushing
The recommendation for healthy smiles is to brush teeth for two minutes, at least twice a day. Brushing after each meal is a good idea for patients who struggle with plaque and tartar buildup. To make sure you reach the two minute mark every single time (because let’s face it, few people do), set a timer on your phone until you’re used to what it feels like. Brush each quadrant of the mouth gently for 30 seconds each for the maximum clean.
#2: Leave Yourself Reminders
Flossing is just as important for your smile as brushing is — but many people end up leaving off this habit simply because they forget to do it. Develop a habit by leaving yourself a note on the mirror to floss. They say it only takes 2 weeks for something to become routine, so after just a short while, you may not feel complete without this final step.
#3: Start a Progress Chart for Kids
Kids may need a little extra encouragement when it comes to keeping their teeth clean and healthy. For them, a progress chart can be invaluable. It shows the difference they are making that they otherwise may not notice day to day. Set small rewards that make sense for your family — like a movie night for 2 weeks of good brushing.
#4: Chew Sugarless Gum
Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow that helps to wash away plaque and bacteria to help you enjoy fresher breath and cleaner teeth. Pop a piece in after a meal or in the middle of the afternoon. Just make sure you are choosing the sugar-free kind to keep your smile healthy and strong!
#5: Add a Mouth Rinse
Using a mouth rinse can be a good idea for patients who struggle with plaque buildup and bad breath — or for anyone who just wants an extra minty boost after brushing or throughout the day. Make sure you choose an alcohol-free version, which kills more of the bad bacteria while leaving what’s good behind.
There you have it, 5 key tips for keeping your smile healthy and clean at home! Take heed and feel good knowing you are doing your part for your oral health. And don’t forget to visit your dentist every 6 months to achieve the perfect oral health triad, too!
Meet the Practice
At Daily Smiles MacArthur, a team of dental professionals works together to offer superior dental care from the comfort of a state-of-the-art office. To learn more about their services or to schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning, you are invited to contact your family dentist in Irving at 972-546-4114.