When you reach a certain age, you may have decided that you have maxed out on your oral hygiene game. Maybe you feel like there are no ways to improve because you are remembering to brush and floss daily? Or maybe you know that there are days where you have completely forgotten to floss? Maybe you remember a night where you went to sleep without brushing your teeth? You are not alone. Perfection is hard to obtain and most people have room to improve in their oral hygiene routine. The better able you are to keep your mouth clean of harmful bacteria, the healthier your mouth will remain. These tips may help you give a little boost to your oral hygiene routine.
Timing Is Key
A bedtime routine is essential. A sleeping mouth is a dry mouth, which is a hotbed for bacterial activity. Your body naturally slows salival production in effort to prevent choking. Since bacteria helps to rinse away harmful bacteria, your sleeping mouth is left vulnerable to bacterial attacks. Cleaning your mouth right before bed means that leftover food and drink particles do not become feasts to the bacteria in your sleeping mouth. This means that a late-night snack or even cough syrup should be washed away before going to sleep. When you wake in the morning, nighttime bacteria can make your mouth feel so icky that your first impulse may be to brush your teeth. However, if you eat breakfast first, it can help to stimulates your saliva to flow freely again, and you can clean up after your breakfast.
Consistency Is Important
Once you find a good routine, it is important to stick to it. Be sure that when you are brushing your teeth, you are consistently reaching every surface of every tooth. It is also important to be consistent with checkups and cleanings. Your dentist or hygienist can give you specific, personal tips to help you boost your oral hygiene routine.
Boosting Your Oral Hygiene Can Protect Your Oral Health
Our team wants to help you with your smile’s health. To schedule a consultation with your dentist, call E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, and all surrounding communities.