7 Tips To Optimize Your Oral Care Routine

Excerpt: You might think that just the act of brushing your teeth every morning when you get up is good enough to have great teeth, we're here to tell you that it is not...

Posted on: January 21, 2022

Oral Care

Oral care is the daily practice of keeping your mouth clean, healthy, and free of any negative symptoms.

You might think that just the act of brushing your teeth every morning when you get up is good enough to have great teeth, we’re here to tell you that it is not. Your mouth is a complicated place with an abundance of hiding spots for bacteria, plaque, tartar (calculus), and more. Having a great oral care routine will save you lots of time, unnecessary trips to the dentist, and money.

What is the best Oral hygiene routine?

Want to get started with the basics first? We think that’s a great idea too! While there isn’t really a “best routine”, there are some best practices you can incorporate on a daily basis. If you want to have a solid oral hygiene routine, then make sure you do the following 2-3 times a day:

Brush – Do this for 2-3 minutes, paying attention to each tooth, (including gums & tongue).
Floss – Spend 1-2 minutes flossing between each tooth.
Mouthwash – Swish some mouthwash around your mouth for 30 to 60 sec, then spit (never swallow).

These steps will almost guarantee you fairly healthy teeth assuming your teeth were already in good condition, to begin with. If you are trying to improve your current routine, these tactics may even reverse certain conditions, while helping to prevent tooth decay.

Can you improve your oral care routine?

There are a lot of ways you can easily get better results from your routine and a few of them will require virtually no more extra effort than what you are currently doing. A lot of times it pays to experiment as well, have you considered replacing toothbrushes, trying out different oral care products, or even just brushing more often?

Replace your toothbrush regularly

Just like anything else, your toothbrush will get worn down with daily use. The biggest issue is the bristles will begin to lose their structural integrity. This means they will slowly grow less and less effective over time (they will still work, but you will need to put more effort into getting the same result). Replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months is an excellent way to help ensure its effectiveness.

To make this task easy, you can bulk buy your brushes, or subscribe to your favorite brush on Amazon. This way you will always be sent them on time, and you may even save money depending on the product’s incentive. If you use Amazon anyway, this may strategy may end up saving you a trip to the drug store as well. If you want tips on your routine, or you need a cleaning, check out our dental hygiene service.

Bi-annual dental checkups

Your oral care routine can only do so much. Visiting the dentist twice a year can help you catch any early warning signs for potentially serious conditions. They may even offer you perks if you’re a regular customer, and it will create a healthy dialogue with your dental care provider should you ever need more critical help.

Time your oral care routine carefully

It’s easy to want to brush right when you wake up, most people prefer it, however, did you know brushing right before you go to be can be critical as well? The bacteria in your mouth will produce acids that can wear away enamel, these acids can turn into plaque and eventually will harden into tartar. Tartar cannot be removed from your teeth unless you go to a dentist. Keeping tartar buildup to a minimum will definitely keep your teeth healthier and save you trips to the dentist.

Experiment with other products

Standard oral care products generally tend to work pretty well, however, did you know they have specialized science-based formulas depending on the certain situations you may have? For example, they have whitening products that work by helping to remove very superficial (surface) stains or sensitive products for people with temperature-sensitive teeth. Just because you’ve been using the same products doesn’t mean you can’t try new strategies. Dental care products are generally not overly expensive either, so trying a new toothpaste won’t break the bank, and it might even taste better.

Replace floss with dental picks

Lots of patients don’t like flossing, it’s understandable, it can be awkward for some people to try floss all your teeth with traditional dental floss, not to mention trying to get at the molars at the back. However, did you know that you can get many more ergonomic tools to floss your teeth with? Dental picks are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of use, which will inevitably result in a better routine. If you have dental appliances like braces or a bridge to deal with, these tools were probably already recommended for you to use due to having to get around the obstruction.

Try using a water pick

Water picks can help you increase your oral care effectiveness as well. You can use these every day, or a couple times a week. We recommend filling them up mostly with water, then adding in enough mouthwash so that you are comfortable with the flavour. This way you will accomplish two tasks in one.

Be Observant!

If you’re brushing your teeth and one of your molars starts to bleed, this is generally an indication of a bigger issue, or even lack of care. You should focus on these problem areas instead of avoiding them to make sure that they are being taken care of. If the symptoms subside after a week or two, it was probably the right move. If the problems persist after 2 weeks, or are severe, you should make an appointment immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I ever swallow mouthwash or toothpaste?

We never recommend you do so. There is no benefit to swallowing these products, and your may even add more issues to your health.

Is cleaning covered by insurance?

Usually it is since it is the most standard service. However, please check with your insurance provider.

Do different oral care products really make a difference?

Yes! whitening products will have some abrasive substances to help polish the teeth. They may make your teeth shades whiter depending on the nature of the stains.

Can you clean your teeth too much?

Yes! Also brushing too hard may wear down your enamel, or cause gum recession.