7 Oral Care Hacks That Can Nurture a More Confident Smile

Who doesn’t dream of having a perfect smile, one that is as bright and dazzling as a ray of sunshine? This is possible to achieve, but it requires dedication and the incorporation of some healthy habits into your routine. Follow these oral care tips for a smile worthy of admiration.

Floss up and down

Believe it or not your toothbrush can only clean around 60% of the surface of your teeth, according to charity, the Oral Health Foundation. And because it can’t reach the bacteria in the spaces that are between your teeth and under your gum line, you should be flossing every day. 

When you don’t floss your teeth, you miss cleaning roughly 35% of your tooth’s surface! pic.twitter.com/Hwetztg3m5

— BuryDentistry (@BuryDentistry) August 19, 2021

Gently take it one tooth at a time, sliding the floss and rubbing the side of the tooth by moving it up and down. Consistency is key here to achieve the best results. It can be done before or after brushing, and you can even use an interdental cleaner if it suits you best.

Brush for the right amount of time

Did you know that the perfect brush session needs to last at least two minutes? According to  lifestyle online magazine Poosh, you should follow a specific pattern spending around 30 seconds on each quadrant: upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. 

Set up an alarm if you are using a manual toothbrush instead of an electric one,  and make sure to spend at least five seconds on each tooth, polishing not only its front but also its back and upper surface. 

Know when to use mouthwash

While most mouthwashes help to remove bacteria, they are mainly useful to improve breath. Just take into account that, when used directly after brushing, some of these liquids can also rinse away some toothpaste ingredients that are actually good for your dental health, Poosh reveals. 

Dentists reveal the correct order to brush your teeth, floss and use mouthwash – and we’ve been doing our dental routine wrong our whole lives.https://t.co/qfA47ilrgk

— British GLAMOUR (@GlamourMagUK) August 9, 2021

What can you do to avoid this? Make sure to wait at least an hour after brushing before using such products.

Bring back your natural whiteness

There are many options out there to help you attain pearl-like teeth. To avoid chemical whiteners, try natural powders that you can sprinkle on top of your toothpaste. 

You can even try to do it yourself with this safe and natural turmeric-based whitener recipe from Poosh.

After eating, wait to brush 

It might make sense to brush your teeth right after eating, but you actually shouldn’t. The reason why, according to the Oral Health Foundation, is that acidic or sugary foods weaken enamel, the protective layer of the tooth.

When you eat and brush straight away, this can lead to you brushing away particles of enamel. How much time should you wait? An hour should be enough to enable your teeth to remineralize and be strong again.

Drink more water and fewer sugary beverages

Sugar-sweetened drinks like soda, juice, or other sugary drinks can lead to a higher risk of cavities, according to a study.

That’s why the American Dental Association recommends drinking water or unsweetened beverages instead and reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks to the minimum.

Avoid smoking

Smoking is considered a risk factor for gum disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By affecting the body’s immune system, smoking prevents the body from healing tissues, like those present in the mouth. But that’s not all, because smoking can yellow the teeth and tongue as well, and it can even affect your breath in a less than flattering way.

Practicing good oral care may seem like biting off more than you can chew. But habits like brushing, flossing daily and eating healthy, are actually key to having the smile you’ve always wanted. And above all, to keeping your teeth and gums healthy.