Keeping up with your oral hygiene is not as easy as it may seem. There are a number of people in the United States who admit to having poor oral hygiene habits, including children. This does not have to be the case because developing good oral hygiene habits is relatively easy, resulting in a smile worth flashing.
Step out of Your Comfort Zone
One reason people have a hard time keeping up with their oral hygiene is because they feel uncomfortable doing some things. For example, some people do not like flossing because they dislodge pieces of food in their teeth. Some of these pieces do not look appealing, especially if they have been stuck between your teeth for some time.
It would be wise to rinse your mouth out first with clean water, preferably at room temperature. You can brush your teeth when you are done rinsing, and then floss so that you minimize the chances of this happening. Make sure you do this after every meal so that the pieces you dislodge are still fresh.
Carry a Kit
Some people have a hard time keeping up with their oral hygiene because they do not have their tools with them at all times. For example, a lot of people go out to have dinner or lunch. You might not remember to bring your oral care tools with you, which makes it hard to stay on top of oral maintenance.
Thankfully, there are a number of things that you can do, like purchase on-the-go toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss packets that you can carry along with you. You should also consider carrying around a bottle of water that you can use to rinse your mouth out. The kits can fit in your pocket or a purse though some just choose to keep one in the glove compartment of their cars, which is okay, too.
Use Professional Tips
It is possible that you are simply misinformed about oral hygiene. This could be one reason it is hard for you or a loved one to stay on top of your oral health. This is why it is important to talk to a dentist such as Emergency dental salt lake cityto make sure that you know why oral care is vital. For example, you will understand how trapped food in your teeth can lead to cavities or oral infections.
You will also learn how to properly use oral hygiene tools, which is also important. For example, the toothbrush must be at a 45-degree angle when you are brushing, and your strokes should always move away from the gums. It should also be noted that brushing should last about two minutes though some people brush longer than that.
Everyday Hygiene
Sure, it is okay to say that it is going to be hard for you to pop your toothpaste and toothbrush out at any given time. There are certain social functions or moments where this is going to be relatively unacceptable, but that does not mean you can ignore the health of your teeth. For one, you can still rinse your mouth out after eating as long as you can spit discretely.
It might be a good idea to add additional oral care tools that are little more discrete, too. For example, you can carry sugarless gum that you can chew that will help dislodge food particles from your teeth. You can also carry fresh parsley leaves that you can chew on to help keep your teeth clean. Parsley freshens the breath, and chewing increases salivation that should kill bacteria.
Now you know a few more ways to maintain your oral hygiene. Of course, these tips can also be used by a loved one who is having trouble keeping up with his or her hygiene, too. No one should get cavities or lose a tooth if it’s preventable.