The Top Tips for Great Dental Hygiene in 2015
As 2014 comes to and end and you start to think of New Year’s resolutions for 2015, why not make 2015 the year that you develop great dental hygiene?
Check out our top tips for great dental hygiene in 2015!
Skip the Sugar
Maintaining a healthy diet is the first step to keeping your teeth strong. Try to eat foods low in sugar and avoid foods and candies that stick to your teeth. Choose drinks such as water, milk, and unsweetened tea instead of soft drinks and fruit juices, which can leave sugar behind and lead to tooth decay.
Establish Strong Brushing Habits
To prevent tooth decay and keep your gums healthy, brush for at least two minutes twice a day. As you brush, make sure you focus on the hard-to-reach spots and on using the right pressure. Brushing too hard or brushing too many times a day can cause damage to the tooth enamel. For this reason, we recommend that you use a soft bristled brush. Finally, don’t forget to brush the tongue, where odor-causing bacteria can build up.
Don’t Forget To Floss!
Flossing is an essential step to developing great dental hygiene. Floss once a day to help remove plaque and food particles from between teeth.
If you find traditional floss uncomfortable to use, try alternate methods like dental floss picks, pre-threaded flossers, or water picks. Water picks are a great way to keep plaque and tarter from building up between teeth, but if you are able to use regular floss you should always go that route first.
Add Mouthwash To Your Daily Routine
Adding a mouthwash to your daily routine can do wonders for your overall dental health. We recommend a mouthwash that is alcohol-free to prevent your mouth drying out. If you struggle with cavities, try a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Rinse with mouthwash as the final thing you do before going to bed for maximum impact.
Which Toothbrush Is Right For You?
Many toothbrush options are based on personal preference. The key is to make sure that you brush thoroughly with whatever toothbrush you choose.
No matter which option you choose, replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 2-3 months. Store your toothbrush upright in a clean, dry area to keep bacteria from growing on the brush.
Pick An Effective Toothpaste
Choosing the right toothpaste plays a crucial role in keeping your teeth healthy and white. Use toothpastes that contain fluoride to strengthen the enamel. Although whitening toothpastes can sometimes cause sensitivity, many people find success in using them as a daily whitening tool.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
For healthy teeth and gums, visit your dentist at least once every six months. These appointments are very important and should not be postponed if possible. At these visits we will monitor for tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Follow these tips to ensure that your teeth stay strong, white, and healthy in 2015. Speak to your dentist to create and implement a personalized dental care plan, or feel free to comment below with any questions you may have about your current oral health routine.
11 Comments
David Smith
I referred a new customer – Jason Harper. 🙂
RFD Staff
Thanks David!
Laila
I think the biggest thing for me would be skipping the sugar. No matter what happens, I always end up having some piece of candy or drink something with a lot of sugar in it. It doesn’t help that most of our sweet treats are so easily available. I don’t know if there is a way to compensate for that, but I definitely make sure that I can brush my teeth regularly as well as floss. Dentist harp on flossing so much, I understand why they are very good to remind you to floss. http://www.sherwoodparkdentalcarecentre.ca/en/
William Walker
It would be great to have some sort of auto brushing thing. I just wish there were tips for helping a person get into the habit of brushing often. I really need to do better so I don’t lose all of my teeth.
Mia Boyd
Thanks for the information. The medical field is always changing and advancing, which is why I think it’s awesome that you’ve listed top tips for the year 2015 specifically. I especially like your tip about adding mouthwash. To be honest, I hadn’t really thought about how beneficial that could be. I’ll also visit my dentist more often.
Deanna R. Jones
These seem like great habits to maintain healthy teeth. Eating natural foods that are rich in nutrients and low in sugar seems like a great way to have healthy teeth. I’ve noticed that my teeth feels a lot cleaner when I go without eating anything that has sugar. I would also like to add drinking a lot of water to the list. One of the most important things that your mouth needs to stay clean is saliva production. Staying well hydrated by drinking water not only cleans your teeth, but it also helps to keep your mouth moist and produce saliva to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Rachelle Reeves
I’ve always had pretty healthy teeth, but I want to make them really white this year. I know that brushing and flossing them always helps whiten them and keep them clean, but my teeth are still quite yellow. Are there other tricks to whiten your teeth?
Rhys Rawson
Thanks for the tip about using mouthwash daily. I have a good brushing and flossing routine, but have never used mouthwash. I’ll be sure to look for an alcohol-free wash, like you suggested. Great advice!
Estelle Mainard
I’ve really been wanting to improve my dental health. I especially like your tip about using mouthwash daily; I hadn’t even thought about doing that! Now that you mention it though, I bet it would be really helpful for improving my teeth and gum health. Also, it helps with cavities! Is there a brand you would recommend?
Steven Harrison
I need to develop a much stronger brushing habit. I usually lump it together with my shower, but that means I only brush once a day. I’ll have to figure out some way to work an extra brush in with my other habits.
Radhika Wadhwa
The best time to brush teeth is after meals. Choose a toothbrush with a small head for better access to back teeth. Soft bristles are kinder on your gums. Thanks For This Tips Dr.