Obviously, brushing your teeth is important. But, there are some lesser-known oral hygiene tips you can use to keep your smiling looking fresh. Read this!

Maintaining proper oral hygiene is a lifelong mission. You probably have your routine down to the point that you can do it without thinking — floss, brush, mouthwash.

We know sticking to a sound oral health regimen reduces bacteria growth that afflicts our teeth and gums. Additionally, eliminating oral bacteria growth helps us keep our whole body healthy. And all it takes is a few steps and a few minutes throughout the day!

Ready to brush up on a few easy and clever ways to keep your mouth clean? We have nine oral hygiene tips for you to try to brighten up that smile. 

1. Invest in Toothbrush Sanitizer Covers

Let’s face it: Toothbrushes are germ magnets. You keep them in the bathroom, they travel with you when you go on vacation, and you put it in your mouth. But toothbrush covers are an affordable and convenient way to minimize bacteria growth on your brush.

What makes sanitizing covers effective? They use natural vapors that circulate toothbrush bristles, killing germs and prolonging the life of your toothbrush.

As well as regularly changing your toothbrush or the toothbrush head on your electric device, covers are a smart way to ensure you are getting the most from your brushing routine.

2. Floss, and Floss Well

It goes without saying that brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is a must for maintaining healthy oral hygiene.

But flossing is only effective if you’re doing it the right way. 

Here’s how: 

  • Pull off an 18-inch piece of floss from the dispenser.
  • Wrap the ends around your fingers or floss holder.
  • Floss between each tooth in a C-shaped motion, and not back and forth.
  • Maneuver the floss to a fresh section every few teeth to ensure you’re not just depositing more bacteria to other teeth as you move along the gum line.

Proper flossing takes a few minutes and lots of floss each time, but it’s a slight inconvenience that goes a long way for our oral hygiene.

3. Scrape That Tongue

Using a tongue scraper is a simple way to eliminate bacteria on your tongue that causes bad breath.

It’s easy to forget about the tongue unless you’re brushing your teeth, but the fact is, lots of germs hang out there. That’s why the tongue has its very own dental appliance, after all. 

Tongue scrapers keep your mouth healthy and your breath fresh for longer.

Use a tongue scraper as often as you like, notably after meals and non-water beverages. It only takes a few seconds to scrape your tongue effectively. Be sure to give the scraper a good cleaning between uses to keep it a bacteria-slayer as opposed to a bacteria-depositor.

4. Try Oral Irrigation

Often referred to as a “Waterpik,” due to that being the name of the pioneer oral irrigation brand, this device jets water streams into the tooth crevices that are otherwise hard to reach. It’s like a pressure washer for the spaces between your teeth. 

Oral irrigators blast away bacteria, plaque, and other gunk from between teeth and other parts of your mouth, helping reduce bad breath, gum disease, and tooth rot. 

And if you wear braces, have permanent bridgework, or experience dental issues that make flossing uncomfortable, oral irrigators are a good alternative.

5. Make DIY Mouthwash 

DIY mouthwash has become a bit of a fad, due in part to the fact that commercial mouthwashes often contain questionable ingredients.  But there are many homemade mouthwash recipes circulating the blogs. How do you know which ones make sense to try and which are straight-up scary?  The simpler, the better. Try these five DIY mouthwash recipes and experiment with which feels best for you and your mouth. Odds are, you have many of the ingredients in your cupboard or fridge already, so there’s no reason not to experiment.

6. Use Paper Straws for Beverages

It’s common knowledge not to overdo it when it comes to sugary food and drinks. But if you love juice and soda, do your teeth and gums a favor and sip them through paper straws to reduce the amount of sugar your teeth and gums encounter. Unlike plastic straws, they’re biodegradable, and they can help prevent stains caused by drinks like coffee and wine.  Feel silly drinking wine through a paper straw? Opt for reusable stainless steel straws instead!

7. Say It With Us: Stay Hydrated!

Drinking plenty of water is key to your overall health. But it’s also a healthy habit to ensure proper oral hygiene. Staying hydrated keeps your saliva flowing, preventing a dry mouth that breeds bacteria and bad breath. 

8. Practice Ancient Ayurvedic Techniques

Ayurveda is an Indian holistic health practice that’s been in use for thousands of years.

Ayurvedic oral hygiene practices include oil pulling, which had a surge in popularity a few years back, and chew sticks, which are still common in African and Asian nations. Scientists tout the effectiveness of these holistic approaches, so they’re more than just a fad. 

9. See Your Hygienist Regularly

Prevention is vital to keeping your mouth clean and healthy.

Your hygienist will clean your mouth thoroughly and check around for any issues with your teeth or gums that can lead to more significant dental issues down the road.

Ideally, you should schedule and attend bi-annual appointments. You may not enjoy sitting in that chair with a stranger poking around your mouth, but there are several reasons why it’s the path of least resistance. You know, that path that can lead to premature dentures, periodontal disease, and other pricy dental restoratives.

Conclusion

It’s critical to stay on top of your oral health and take exceptional care of your teeth and gums. Try these nine oral hygiene tips to freshen up your routine and treat yourself to a healthier and happier smile.

Author Bio

Adam Marshall is a freelance writer specializing in all things apartment organization, real estate, and college advice. He currently works with Grove at Pullman to help them with their online marketing.