Powerful Tips to Upgrade Your Dental Hygiene Routine

Powerful Tips to Upgrade Your Dental Hygiene Routine

Isn’t it so annoying when you encounter someone with bad breath? Or when you’re speaking to someone, and you can tell their teeth aren’t exactly the most appealing? Personally, whenever I engage with someone, I make eye contact, but I also notice their teeth a lot. And if their teeth aren’t clean, it’s really off-putting. Bad breath, on the other hand, is a whole different problem—because it has nothing to do with sight but everything to do with smell.

I remember once sitting in the same bus with a man who had terrible breath. His breath was so bad, yet he kept engaging me in conversation. And to be polite, I couldn’t turn him away. By the time I got home, I felt like I had inhaled all his bad breath into mine. I brushed my teeth immediately!

Who knows? You might have bad breath and not even know it. Or maybe you’re reading this article because you want to help someone improve their oral hygiene. Either way, let’s talk about how to elevate your dental hygiene.

How Do You Know If You Have Poor Oral Hygiene?
Like I mentioned earlier, you may not even realize that your oral hygiene isn’t the best. But according to the Cleveland Clinic, these are some of the common signs that indicate poor oral hygiene:

• Bleeding gums
• Tooth decay
• Bad breath
• Unhealing mouth sores
• Swelling of the jaw
• Gingivitis
• Toothache

Of course, there are more signs, but these seven can help you assess whether your oral hygiene needs improvement.

Ways to Elevate Your Oral Hygiene

1. Brush Twice Daily
Obviously, this was going to be the first point. We’ve been told to brush twice a day since childhood, but how many of us actually follow through? This is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain good oral hygiene, yet we often take it for granted. Brushing twice daily for at least two minutes is essential. But it’s not just about brushing; it’s also about how you brush. Use a circular motion rather than scrubbing aggressively—this isn’t about trying to remove gum stuck under a chair. Be gentle with your teeth and gums. Also, ensure that your toothpaste contains fluoride, as it helps prevent cavities. If you’re lucky, some toothpaste even contains whitening agents that can brighten your teeth. Personally, I’ve noticed a significant difference since switching to charcoal-infused toothpaste.

2. Floss Once Daily
You might think brushing twice a day is enough, but remember—your toothbrush can’t reach the tight spaces between your teeth. That’s where flossing comes in. Take about 18 inches of floss, wrap it around your fingers, and gently guide it between your teeth. You’ll be surprised to see tiny food particles that brushing alone couldn’t remove. When these food particles remain stuck, they build up over time and contribute to bad breath. That’s why flossing is just as important as brushing.

3.Brush Your Tongue

As you brush, don’t just focus on your teeth—your tongue needs attention too. Your tongue is constantly in contact with food, meaning particles and bacteria can easily get stuck on it. If you neglect it, bacteria build-up can lead to oral infections like gingivitis (remember when we talked about the signs of bad oral hygiene?).

You can use your toothbrush to clean your tongue, or better yet, a tongue scraper for a more thorough cleanse. Regular tongue brushing or scraping not only removes bacteria and fungi but also improves your sense of taste, keeps your tongue looking fresh (no more unattractive white coating), and most importantly, helps combat bad breath.

 4. Switch to a Soft Toothbrush

One thing I’ve noticed is that hard toothbrushes tend to be the cheapest ones, so a lot of people buy them thinking they’re getting a good deal. But why companies make the cheapest toothbrushes so hard is beyond me. The truth is, using a hard toothbrush does not mean you’re getting a deeper clean. In fact, it can actually damage your gums and wear down your enamel over time. Your best option? A soft toothbrush. It’s gentler on your gums while still cleaning your teeth effectively. Trust me, switching to a soft toothbrush makes a big difference—your gums will thank you.

 5. Use a Toothbrush with a Small Head

If you think a bigger toothbrush head means better cleaning because it covers more surface area, think again. A large toothbrush head might seem like it’s doing more work, but in reality, it makes it harder to reach smaller, tighter spaces in your mouth. A toothbrush with a small head is far more effective because it can get into those tricky spots that a big one would miss. So, combine this with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and you’ve got yourself the perfect tool for better oral hygiene.

4. Drink Enough Water

We’ve all heard a million reasons why drinking water is good for us, but did you know it also plays a big role in your oral health? Staying hydrated helps your entire body function better—including your mouth. Drinking water throughout the day washes away leftover food particles and residue from drinks, basically giving your teeth a mini rinse after every meal. It also helps dilute harmful acids from food and beverages, which protects your enamel from erosion. So, if you’re not already drinking enough water, now’s the time to start.

And if you think drinking water is too boring or not enough, you might be tempted to chew on ice instead. But hold on—before you make that a habit, I will tell you why chewing ice is actually terrible for your teeth in the next section.

Bad Habits to Refrain From if You Want to Elevate Your Oral Hygiene

1. Using Your Teeth as Tools
   When you want to open a bottle of soda, instead of using an opener, do you use your teeth to pop the crown cap off? That is a habit you need to stop immediately! Your teeth are not tools; using them for such tasks can cause cracks and fractures, leading to long-term damage.
2. Chewing Ice
   Like I said earlier, you can’t replace drinking water with chewing ice. You actually need to drink water because chewing ice can cause your teeth to fracture and can damage fillings and other dental restorations. It might feel satisfying, but the impact on your teeth can be severe, leading to sensitivity and breakage.
3. Smoking
   Smoking stains your teeth, and normally, people who smoke tend to have yellowish teeth. Now, it’s important to mention that not everyone has perfectly white teeth—some have naturally yellowish teeth, and that’s completely normal. However, smoking can make things worse by darkening your teeth even more and, in the long run, leading to premature permanent tooth loss. It also increases the risk of gum disease and bad breath, so if you’re looking to improve your oral hygiene, cutting down on smoking or quitting entirely is a big step in the right direction.
4. Nail Biting
   Nail biting may seem harmless at first. Even if you think about side effects, your first thought might not be that it affects your oral hygiene—but it does. When you put your nails in your mouth, you introduce bacteria from your hands onto your teeth and gums. This can lead to gingivitis, tooth decay, and even bad breath because the germs are carried from your fingers into your mouth. Also, nail biting can cause small cracks in your teeth over time, making them more vulnerable to damage.
5. Not Visiting the Dentist
   You are supposed to see the dentist at least twice a year, but how many of us actually do that? Visiting the dentist regularly helps detect oral health issues early before they escalate into major problems. A dentist can also perform deep cleaning and remove plaque buildup that your regular brushing and flossing may have missed.
6. Consuming Too Much Sugar and Acidic Foods
   After consuming acidic foods, you need to rinse your mouth. But beyond rinsing, the best practice is to limit your intake altogether. This is because sugar converts into acid in your mouth, which then erodes the enamel of your teeth. Once the enamel is damaged, your teeth become more prone to cavities and decay. Reducing your sugar and acid intake can go a long way in protecting your teeth.

Conclusion
Oral health issues can lead to bigger health problems if left unchecked, so it’s important to be mindful of your habits. And let’s not forget—one of the most photogenic things about us is our smile. So, taking care of your teeth ensures that you maintain a bright, healthy smile for years to come. If you didn’t know where to start, I hope this article has helped point you in the right direction.

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