Sure, everyone knows it’s important to brush and floss regularly and visit the dentist for regular checkups. But there are plenty of other ways you can improve your oral health, too.
At Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC, our team tailors every oral care plan to suit the needs of our patients, with personal care tips focused on helping you prevent toothaches and other problems. Here are nine tips you might not have heard of that can help you improve your oral health routine.
Most ads for toothpaste show the entire row of bristles covered in paste. But you really only need a pea-sized amount of paste to get the job done, which means you can save money and avoid an overflowing mouthful of foam, too.
Considering toothpaste is meant to keep your teeth clean, it’s easy to think your brush stays clean, too. But every bristle can wind up harboring bacteria and tiny food particles — even after rinsing.
To keep your brush clean, soak it in water with a splash of hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes, then rinse well. Use a toothbrush cover to prevent airborne germs from settling in between uses.
Everyone understands the importance of brushing your teeth to get rid of germs — but your tongue harbors plenty of germs, too. Brushing your tongue gently whenever you brush your teeth helps keep those germs at bay, improving your oral health and your breath, too. Or buy a tongue scraper to do the same job.
Not any gum — gum containing a natural plant sugar called xylitol as the sweetening agent. Xylitol has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of cavities, possibly by reducing the population of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
If you’ve ever had your teeth whitened, you probably know that using a straw helps prevent (or at least delay) some stains from occurring in the future. But straws may also help reduce the risk of cavities by preventing sugary and acidic drinks, like soda and energy drinks, from having prolonged contact with tooth surfaces.
While not a substitute for regular brushing, crunchy fruits and vegetables, like apples, carrots, and celery, help scrape away sticky plaque film, reducing the risks of cavities and gum disease. Cheese is another tooth-healthy snack, containing minerals that helps strengthen teeth and prevent damage.
Some people think tooth gaps are sexy, others think they make your smile look uneven. Whichever side of the debate you’re on, if you have gaps, investing in interdental brushes helps get rid of plaque that can otherwise build up in gaps, increasing your risk of cavities.
Plenty of people brush first, then floss. But flossing your teeth before you brush can help loosen plaque and food particles so they can be brushed away more easily. Next time you brush and floss, try flossing first, rinsing well, then brushing.
Most of us follow up our brushing routine with a good rinse to get rid of excess toothpaste. But getting rid of toothpaste means getting rid of fluoride that helps prevent cavities. Instead of rinsing after brushing, try spitting out the excess paste, then waiting about 20-30 minutes before rinsing to give fluoride a chance to penetrate teeth and work its magic.
One more important tip: If you’re having any type of tooth pain or sensitivity issue, don’t ignore it. Early intervention can prevent more serious problems and relieve discomfort, too.
To learn how we can help you maintain your beautiful smile, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
