Dental Hygiene Tips for Building Healthy Habits

Your family’s health matters, and how you build healthy habits matters even more. Many people overlook their dental health as an integral part of their overall health. According to the National Smile Month website, one in four adults don’t brush twice a day, including a third of men, and one in ten adults admit they regularly forget to brush their teeth. However, it’s never too late to change your ways and improve your dental routine.

Oral Hygiene Tips for Healthy Smiles

Do you have a plan when it comes to your oral health? Chances are, you have some idea of what to do to maintain your teeth, and you may have done well in the past. However, getting back into the routine can be a challenge if you have fallen off of the wagon.

Here are some basic ways you can improve your dental habits:

1. Floss thoroughly every day before bed
   It can be easy to forget to floss. It doesn’t always feel well, and sometimes your technique might not get the results you want. If you don’t do it for a long period of time and then start up again, it can be painful to do, continuing the cycle of neglecting to take care of your teeth. However, if you make flossing a regular part of your day, your gums will hurt less and you will build upon your habits. If you struggle with remembering to floss at night, find a way to remind yourself. Perhaps set an alarm or place floss on top of your toothbrush as a reminder. You could even tie it around the handle like an old fashioned string-around-the-finger reminder.
2. Brush gently at least twice each day
   You don’t have to brush until your gums bleed to maintain healthy oral hygiene. Maintaining a routine where you brush your teeth twice a day allows you to remove food particles that lead to cavities and bad breath. If you have trouble remembering in the mornings, bring a toothbrush to work and take care of your teeth after lunch, then again at night. If you can pair your brushing with other habits you do every day, such as combing your hair or applying lotion, you can have more success.
3. Rinse with mouthwash after brushing
   You brushed and flossed, but are you really done taking care of your oral hygiene? Not yet! Rinsing with mouthwash is a good way to remove any lingering particles that brushing or flossing have not taken care of. If you find the alcohol in the mouthwash too harsh, you can use water or an alcohol-free mouthwash to take care of your oral health. Advise your children under 12 to use water as well.

Having healthy gums and teeth directly affects your health overall. If you start to make your dental health a priority, you will reap the benefits of your efforts.

The team at Crestwood Dental Group helps patients build good habits and is happy to answer any questions you have about dental care. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

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