Beyond Brushing: Four Simple Little Habits To Benefit Your Teeth And Gums

Posted on: 27 September 2016

Brush and floss your teeth, and you shouldn't have any problems with dental health – right? For some people, this is true, but many people do still experience some decay or cavities when they practice what's considered "standard dental hygiene." Sometimes, this results from deficiencies in your unique dental care habits. Or you may just be more decay-prone than the average person, so you require a few more precautionary measures. Here's are four simple little habits that can benefit your teeth and gums.

Choosing fluoridated water.

As more and more people gravitate toward bottled water, it's not unusual for non-fluoridated water to form the bulk of someone's water intake. Fluoride is a mineral that helps build and sustain healthy tooth enamel. Most tap water is fortified with fluoride, but many bottled water brands leave it out of their water. So, start checking your bottled water to make sure it contains fluoride before you buy it. You could also switch to tap water and fill your own reusable bottles.

Keep floss in your car.

There are bound to be mornings when you're in a rush and you forget to floss your teeth before you leave the house. Leave a container of dental floss in your car so these don't turn into days when you don't floss. You can floss while waiting at a red light, in the bathroom at work, or in the parking lot before you go into work.

Setting a reminder to change your toothbrush.

You should change your toothbrush every three to four months. Old toothbrushes become worn, so they may not get the more detailed areas like between your teeth or along the edges of your teeth well. Plus, they tend to hold onto bacteria over time, so brushing with an old toothbrush may introduce bacteria (that cause tooth decay and gum disease) to your mouth. Set a reminder in your phone to change your toothbrush every three to four months so you never forget again. Stock up on toothbrushes ahead of time so you don't have to go to the store each time you want to change the toothbrush.

Rinsing your mouth out after meals.

If you're like most people, you don't exactly rush to the bathroom after every meal to brush your teeth. Rinsing your mouth out with water after each meal will remove some of the lingering sugar, helping to keep decay to a minimum. You can just take a sip of water, swish it around, and swallow it.

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Anyone who provides a service specifically for the youngest among us knows that treating kids must be approached very differently from treating adults. Children are not like adult patients. They require a dental team that makes children feel safe and secure at every appointment. The pediatric dental staff also needs to understand how to work with parents as well as young patients. As a pediatric dental hygienist and a mom, I understand that specific needs of children when they are visiting the dentist. This blog will explain exactly what kids need from a dental staff and will give options for making the dental office a welcoming environment to children. We can give a whole new generation healthy smiles by making pediatric dentistry the best it can be.