Oral Health Care Tips to Keep You Smiling Confidently

By Bryan Kittman | April 26, 2019

Keeping your teeth healthy can make a world of difference in your overall confidence, appearance, and ability to talk and chew. There’s a reason your mom always told you to take care of your teeth. Plus, a trip to the dentist isn’t what you want (sorry dentists). Here are some dental hygiene hacks to keep you smiling brightly and confidently.

Clean your toothbrush

If you’ve been using the same toothbrush for more than three months, throw that sucker out. At this point, all your doing is transferring bacteria to your mouth. If you have an electric toothbrush, be sure to replace the heads every three months to ensure it’s not packed with bacteria.

Brush your tongue

One of the main culprits of bad breath is the plaque on your tongue, but that’s nothing a daily scrubbing can’t help. If you really want to do it right, try using a tongue scraper to ensure no pesky bacteria remains on your tongue after brushing.

Sugar-free gum

Contrary to popular beliefs, chewing gum can actually be a pretty effective tool in keeping your mouth clean. Chewing gum increases your saliva flow, keeping your teeth clean and free of bacteria buildup.

Drink plenty of water

Drinking some water directly after a meal can help rinse your mouth of any remaining food particles, which can lead to some nasty stuff like cavities and gum disease. Rinsing with water keeps your teeth clean and is a powerful method to prevent bacterial growth.

Floss floss floss

We’ve all heard how important flossing is, but many people don’t follow a disciplined flossing routine. Simply flossing your teeth can make them look brighter by removing plaque and excess food, and can be extremely effective in preventing tooth decay.

Avoid expensive whitening toothpastes

You’ve probably seen these fancy whitening toothpaste sitting glistening in their shiny packages. These will definitely keep your teeth clean, but they are often overpriced, and the abrasive ingredients can actually be harmful to the delicate enamel of your teeth.

Eat naturally cleaning food

Many fruits and veggies that have a high water content can be a great way to clean your mouth while still getting a nice snack in. Chewing fruits and vegetables can be a sort of natural toothbrush. Try to eat these foods last in your meal to give your teeth a nice cleaning.