How to Take Care of Your Teeth

Keep that smile sparkling with amazing at-home dental hygiene hacks.

No one likes going to the dentist. Regular check-ups are essential, but if you want to avoid unnecessary extra trips to the dentist’s chair, it’s crucial to have a good home dental hygiene regimen and do it every day.

Here’s how to keep your teeth in tip-top condition. For more hints and tips on maintaining a perfect Hollywood smile, visit Golsen cosmetic dentistry. They’ll tell you everything you need to know!

Floss, floss, floss.

Flossing should be just as much a part of your dental care regimen as brushing. Yes, it’s that important. Make the time to do it once a day. If you’re in a rush, floss one set of teeth in the morning and at night.

Scrape your tongue.

Everyone cleans their teeth, and some people floss, too, but most are less likely to also scrape their tongue. Tongue scrapers are cheap, basic tools that do pretty much as their name describes. They scrape bacteria from the surface of the tongue, keeping the mouth clean and breath fresh. Tongue scraping also helps maintain the mouth’s pH balance, which is extremely important.

You can, of course, clean your tongue using your toothbrush if you prefer, but this tends to be a little less comfortable. Do whatever works best for you. Just don’t forget to keep your tongue clean!

Brush with baking soda.

Baking soda is a cheap and effective way to remove stains from the teeth. In fact, you’ll actually find baking soda in many toothpaste brands. However, you shouldn’t brush with baking soda all the time as it contains no fluoride. Once a week is enough, and stick to a fluoride toothpaste the rest of the time to keep your teeth clean and healthy.

Eat the right foods.

We all know that some foods and drinks are really bad for your teeth – anything high in sugar, for example. But then, some foods actually help to clean your teeth! Try apples, carrots, or celery as a meal-finishing snack or between meals. However, don’t use them as a replacement for a toothbrush and toothpaste. You still need to clean your teeth twice a day, but these foods can help keep your mouth fresh between brushing.

Drink water.

Drinking water, or even just rinsing out your mouth after eating, can help wash out any residual food particles or bacteria and keep your mouth and teeth clean throughout the day. Make sure to give it a good swish around, so you get every last bit!

Chew gum.

Chewing a piece of gum (sugar-free, of course) after meals stimulates the production of saliva and helps keep the mouth clean. It freshens the breath, too!

Keep your toothpaste non-abrasive.

Whitening toothpaste can actually damage tooth enamel, as many don’t remove stains from the teeth but instead strip away actual tooth particles. This may make teeth look whiter temporarily, but can cause damage in the long term. If you’re keen to whiten your teeth at home, try strips or trays instead and stick to a standard toothpaste.