5 Essential Healthy Dental Habits for a Brighter Smile

Keeping all six-month appointments with Dr. Jennifer Nation at Brookside Smiles Dentistry in Redlands, California, is the best way to dramatically reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Combining these visits with preventative oral care practices in your daily hygiene routine will further support teeth and gum health and prevent the need for extensive dental treatments.

Dedicated to improving oral hygiene in patients of all ages, Dr. Nation has compiled a list of her favorite healthy dental habits for Redlands, California, and surrounding residents. She also reminds anyone who hasn’t seen a dentist in six months to call Brookside Smiles Dentistry today and schedule an exam and cleaning.

1. Don’t Forget to Brush Your Tongue When You Brush Your Teeth

Grooves on the tongue’s surface provide bacteria with the ideal environment for thriving: dark, moist, and airless. That white film coating your tongue in the morning is the buildup of bacteria responsible for bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. Run your toothbrush over your tongue several times to remove bacteria, and rinse afterward. Tongue scrapers are available and specifically designed to remove bacteria from the tongue.

2. Brush Your Teeth in the Morning and Before Bedtime

Improving oral hygiene begins with brushing your teeth after breakfast and before bedtime. Brush for two minutes, brush every tooth, and always use fluoride toothpaste. Position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, with bristles directed toward the gum line, to remove bacteria more effectively.

3. Floss After Every Meal (If Possible)

Flossing is the most effective method for removing food particles between teeth. Brushing reaches food particles at the edges of adjacent teeth but not in between teeth. Bacteria consume bits of food remaining on teeth, forming biofilms like plaque and tartar that cause cavities and gum disease.

4. Drink This, Not That!

Drinking water helps wash away food particles, prevents the production of harmful acids by bacteria, and promotes saliva production. Oral bacteria thrive in dry, stagnant conditions. Therefore, drinking water can help rinse away harmful substances and bacteria that build up in the mouth, particularly after meals.

5. Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three to Four Months

Replace your toothbrush at least every four months to prevent worn-out bristles that don’t remove biofilm and bacteria buildup. Moreover, replacing your toothbrush after an illness prevents reinfection. Toothbrushes can also become frayed and abrasive, irritating sensitive gums. Bacterial overgrowth on old bristles can promote tooth decay and gum disease by introducing bacteria into the mouth.

Get Started on Healthy Dental Habits by Calling Brookside Smiles Dentistry in Redlands, California

To improve your oral hygiene, it’s important to schedule a cleaning and exam with the team at Brookside Smiles Dentistry every six months. Please call (909) 300-9044 to book your next appointment. Dr. Nation also offers professional teeth whitening, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry procedures, and more!

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