Dental hygiene and oral care may seem like something so simple, but for some this task is still difficult. It doesn’t just go as far as brushing your teeth and flossing. Seeing our local dentists at Denmark Dental in Eagan we will be able to help with your oral care needs. We also wanted to inform you of simple tips you can use at home when caring for your mouth and teeth.
When caring for our teeth there may be little mistakes that we could be making that we are unaware of. We want you to be prepared and know these tips and tricks so that you always have a healthy and clean mouth.
REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH
When you think about it, you are using your toothbrush at least twice a day, which makes the usage 14 times in 7 days which is 56 times in a month. That is a pretty staggering number. However, we want to be brushing our teeth so we keep them clean and healthy. You should be replacing your toothbrush about every 3 months, or 200 uses, whichever comes first. After this many uses, the bristles on your brush, the most important part about the brush, become frayed and not as efficient. Also, all the food and bacteria is collecting on that brush, and you don’t want to keep putting that in your mouth.
AT LEAST 2 MINUTES OF BRUSHING
We get it, many people are in a rush when it comes to their morning routine. You may be running late, or just don’t account for brushing your teeth into your daily life. However, brushing your teeth for only a few seconds isn’t really going to do any good. Make sure you are brushing for at least 2 minutes. There are a few reasons for this: One is that the fluoride in your toothpaste doesn’t have enough time to actually work properly. Practice by using a timer in the morning. Two minutes isn’t going to derail your whole routine, your teeth are going to thank you for it.
DON’T RINSE WITH WATER
We will repeat this, DON’T. We know this may be shocking news because you have been doing this your whole life, but hear us out. When you rinse your mouth out with water, right after you have brushed your teeth with that delicious minty fresh gel, you are altering the effectiveness of said toothpaste. The fluoride is deactivated, which is what we want to keep working. Better practice is to spit out the excess toothpaste and go on with the day. This will be weird at first, but trust us, it’s going to be very helpful in the end.
WHERE YOU’RE STORING YOUR TOOTHBRUSH
Now this one is going to be even more shocking than the previous fact. You shouldn’t store your toothbrush in the bathroom, or if you do, store it in an enclosed space. The reason for this is all the particles that are flying into the air because of your toilet. We know this is unsettling news, but you can rectify the situation by storing your toothbrush on your nightstand, or in a closed cabinet within the bathroom.
DENTAL FLOSS
We may sound like a broken record, but you know you need to floss. So make sure you are actually completing this task. Floss after every meal, and after you brush. This will ensure you are getting all the bits of food between teeth out where they should be.
These maintenance tips for oral care will make the difference when it comes to your teeth and gums. If you start implementing these tips you will notice a difference. Make sure you are always coming in for your semi-annual check-ups with us in Eagan. At Denmark Dental, we want you to have the biggest and brightest smile. Check back at our next blog: Simple Oral Care Tips You Didn’t Know: Part 2