Our mission this month on Dr. Rose’s dental blog, is to help you develop the perfect oral hygiene routine. With just a few minutes each day, you can keep your teeth and gums in amazing condition. Do you want to have the type of shiny, white smile that can usually be found in chewing gum ads? All it takes is a great oral hygiene routine and regular visit to the dentist!
In parts one and two we talking about flossing and brushing. Today, we are going to cover the final pieces of a perfect oral hygiene routine.
3. …I’m Just so Fresh and Clean (so fresh and so clean, clean)
Now that you have flossed and brushed your teeth, it is time to hit the mouthwash. When you are in your local store shopping for mouthwash, make sure you pick out one that has the American Dental Association seal printed on it. This ensure that the mouthwash has been evaluate for safety and efficacy.
Mouthwashes can be used to prevent tooth decay, reduce plaque, prevent gingivitis, and strengthen teeth using fluoride.
Simply sip a small amount of mouthwash, and swirl it around for about one minute then spit it out.
Be sure to ask your hygienist which mouthwash she believes is best for your oral hygiene routine, or if she believes you would benefit from an alternative.
Hygienist tip from Natalie: Only use a small amount of mouthwash and dilute it in your water pick to get extra cleaning power into your routine!
Hygienist tip from Melissa: If you suffer from dry mouth sometimes mouthwash is not a good option, so instead of mouthwash you can create a saline solution using warm water and salt for use in a water pick.
4. Extra Steps
By now, your mouth should be pretty squeaky clean, but there are still a few more steps you can take to go the extra mile. What about your tongue? When was the last time you cleaned it? Cleaning your tongue is fast and easy and can help you in the fight against bad breath. You can use your toothbrush, a piece of floss stretched between your fingers, or a specially designed tooth scrapper. After you scrape your tongue make sure you rinse out your mouth.
Now you probably have the cleanest mouth on the block!
