How To Create a Great Oral Hygiene Routine

Let’s face it. Life gets busy between work, school, and social events. So much so, in fact, that it is often hard to dedicate time to a consistent oral hygiene routine at home. However, putting in the effort to care for your teeth daily will positively affect the rest of your life. Here are 5 things you can do to help you establish an excellent home-care routine and keep your smile healthy.

1. Block out time for your dental hygiene routine.

It may sound simple, but blocking out 5 to 10 minutes twice a day to focus on your dental care is beneficial, especially if you have trouble sticking to routines. Another thing you can do is set alarms on your phone to go off every day at the same times to remind you to brush and floss. 

By doing this, you’ll eventually get used to brushing your teeth at those certain times, and it will become second nature. You could also perform your oral health routine before or after something you do daily, like walk the dog. You aren’t just building a new routine—you are building healthy habits!

2. Remember to floss before brushing.

While there may be debate about whether it is better to floss before or after brushing your teeth, our team at Dental Care Associates of Buffalo recommends flossing before you brush. This way your floss can remove the small food particles that are stuck in between your teeth, allowing your toothbrush to effectively sweep them away afterward.

3. Check your flossing technique.

Speaking of flossing, are you flossing properly? First, you want to choose the right dental floss. Waxed is typically fine for most people, but if your teeth are extremely tight, unwaxed might be the better option.

Once you have your dental floss of choice, you’ll want to wrap the majority of an 18-inch piece around the middle fingers, leaving an inch or two of space between. Hold the floss taut between your thumbs and index fingers. Gently guide it between your teeth and glide the dental floss up and down the side of each tooth to remove plaque. Make sure to curve the floss in a “C” shape near the gumline as well to sweep away bacteria hiding beneath the surface. Then slide the dental floss out gently and wind it down your fingers to get a clean section. Repeat the process for every tooth.

If you aren’t a fan of traditional floss, there are alternatives. You can try a floss pick, which is a small piece of floss attached to a plastic handle, or water flossers if you are more interested in going that route. And if you’re still finding flossing difficult, ask our Dental Care Associates of Buffalo team for recommendations. We can show you other tips and tricks to help make it easier.

4. Try an electric toothbrush.

If you are looking for a different way to brush your teeth, consider trying an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush can be more efficient than a manual toothbrush since it does all the work for you. The little motor in the toothbrush moves the toothbrush’s head in circular motions so you don’t have to. This is a great option for people with limited mobility as they don’t have to maneuver the brush as much.

An electric toothbrush can also encourage you to brush longer. In fact, many electric toothbrushes come equipped with a timer so that you know when you’ve reached the recommended two minutes. The two-minute rule breaks down to about 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth.

5. Brush on the go.

If you are traveling or in a place that isn’t necessarily conducive to brushing your teeth, never fear: You have options! One of these is the Wisp toothbrush by Colgate. These tiny disposable brushes are equipped with freshening beads, meaning you can just brush your teeth and go. These are ideal to keep in a purse, backpack, or desk drawer. Remember to pack some when you are traveling!

Visit Dental Care Associates of Buffalo twice a year for preventive care.

As you implement these tips to create a great oral hygiene routine, don’t forget to show off those pearly whites to our team! We would love to see you at least twice a year for your recommended preventive cleanings and checkups to make sure your teeth and gums are in top form. Schedule your appointment today!