7 Oral Hygiene Hacks for A Healthier Smile

When we think about oral hygiene, our minds go to brushing, flossing, rinsing, and seeing a dentist. These are indisputably important, but often, we don’t think about smaller steps that can make a big difference. Did you know that your mouth has one of the most diverse microbiomes in the entire body? It’s home to not just bacteria but also fungi, protozoa, archaea, and viruses. Fortunately, there are some simple “hacks” you can incorporate that will boost your oral healthcare, supplementing your brushing and flossing.

  1. Scrape your tongue. Have you heard of a tongue scraper? It’s a simple tool designed to clean the surface of your tongue, removing bacteria that can cause bad breath.
  2. Be cognizant of bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can happen at night or during the day, but whenever it happens, it wears down your teeth. If you know you grind your teeth during the day, try some mind-body exercises to help you stop. If you suspect bruxism at night, consider getting a mouth guard to protect them.
  3. Increase your intake of foods that decrease the bacteria in your mouth. You know that sugar is not good for your teeth, but are you eating enough healthy food that will protect them? Nuts, legumes, fruits, and vegetables will help keep your teeth healthy and apple cider vinegar can remove harmful bacteria from your mouth.
  4. Rinse the right way. Using mouthwash at least once a day helps your mouth in three ways: it reaches places in the mouth that brushing and flossing can’t, reduces the level of acid in the mouth, and re-mineralizes the teeth. To properly rinse, swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds and then gargle to reach the back of your tongue.
  5. Use baking soda for brushing. Incorporate baking soda into your brushing routine once or twice a week, to remove stains and whiten teeth.
  6. Divide your flossing. Splitting your flossing between different parts of the day can help you get it done if you have trouble making time for this important step.
  7. Drink more water. Staying hydrated is important for every system in your body. When you rinse your mouth with water, you remove food particles that lead to tooth decay.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Hazlet, New Jersey, you can trust Glenwood Premier Dental to meet your needs. At Glenwood Premier Dental, we believe that a healthy, confident smile is an important part of a happy and healthy lifestyle. Our staff of caring professionals is committed to offering a wide range of dental services, exceeding our patients’ expectations, and providing the best possible service. We offer dental exams and teeth cleanings, implant dentistry, Invisalign, laser dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, and more, using state of the art technology in a comfortable and friendly environment. If you’re looking for dental care in Hazlet, contact us through our website or call 732.264.4477 for more information.