Let’s Talk Oral Hygiene 

Our mouth is one of our greatest assets.  It holds our gorgeous smile, and even more important, our ability to speak and eat properly.  Without the right care, we subject ourselves to disease and may lose the confidence to laugh loudly, talk brightly, and smile generously.  However, dental problems are of little concern when practicing good oral hygiene. With a simple routine and bi-annual exams, we can be smiling bright for years to come.  

What to Avoid with Good Oral Hygiene

By taking care of our mouth and teeth, problems such as gum disease and tooth decay can be easily avoided.  However, by letting simple practices slip away, we encourage bacterial plaque and tartar to build-up on our teeth, resulting in irreparable damage (Colgate).  We also may end up with sensitive gums, persistent bad breath, and tooth loss by not maintaining a good care routine. 

Brushing, Flossing, and Rinsing

Luckily, healthy teeth and a clean mouth require minimal work.  By brushing properly, flossing daily, and rinsing regularly with mouthwash, maintaining good oral hygiene isn’t too hard to come by.

Brushing your teeth twice a day, is your greatest weapon in fighting dental problems.  By using a clean, soft-bristle toothbrush and the right technique, your teeth will receive a thorough clean.  The American Dental Association, or the ADA, gives the following guidelines for the best brushing technique:

1. Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. 
2. Move the brush back and forth gently in short strokes. 
3. Brush the outer surfaces, the inside surfaces and the chewing surfaces of all teeth. 
4. To clean the inside surface of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes. 
5. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and keep your breath fresh (ADA).

It is also recommended to use a toothpaste containing fluoride to maximize effectiveness.  With its germ fighting abilities, fluoride plays a big role in protecting our teeth long-term. 

Flossing also plays a big role in protecting our teeth and gums.  By flossing once a day, we are able to target germs and debris our toothbrushes are unable to reach, leading to less plaque and risk of inflammation!  

Lastly, we can use mouthwash to give our mouth one final clean sweep.  By using a mouthwash once or twice a day that has the ADA seal of approval on it, we can further reduce our likelihood of developing plaque, bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth decay (ADA). 

Further Tips for a Fabulous Smile

1. Visit the Dentist- While following a strict oral care routine at home will likely protect our teeth enough, seeing the dentist bi-annually is highly recommended in order to receive a full cleaning and check-up.  
2. Change Your Brushes- By replacing our toothbrushes every three to four months, we reduce the risk of infections, gum disease, bad breath, and decay.  While it may be hard to keep track of, replacing our toothbrushes is key to good oral health. Check out Better Smile Toothbrush Company (https://www.bettersmiletoothbrushcompany.com) for an easy and fun way to organize your family’s toothbrushes!
3. Avoid Sugary and Acidic Foods- By limiting our intake of sugary and acidic foods, we prevent our enamel from eroding and decrease our chances of developing cavities. 
4. Drink More Water- Instead of drinking sweetened beverages that ruin our enamel, drink water to effectively wash away the debris and residue left behind from food!
5. Avoid Late Night Snacking- Eating in the middle of the night might be tempting, but having a snack after brushing our teeth defeats the purpose of cleaning to begin with!  Instead, we allow bacteria to feed off of the food and sugars left behind on our teeth as we sleep through the night (Healthline).

Your smile is a beautiful thing, so why not keep it at its best?  Especially when the care is this easy!

XOXO,

Flex it Pink

Cherney, Kristeen. “11 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy”. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com

Curtis, Jay. “Ten Dental Hygiene Tips for a Thorough Clean”. Colgate. https://www.colgate.com

“How to Brush”.  American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org

“Oral Health”. American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org