Creating Your Hygiene Schedule

It can be easy to forget proper brushing and flossing techniques when things get busy. If you aren’t used to daily oral hygiene habits, it’s the perfect time to create a personal hygiene schedule that easily fits into your daily routine.

Below are a few helpful ways you can build strong oral health habits that work for you.

Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day with a Two Minute Timer

An easy way to make something work for you is integrating it with ease. Set a time to brush your teeth every morning and evening. Maybe it’s more convenient to brush after grabbing breakfast or right after dinner. Whatever the time is, make sure it is convenient for you.

Using your phone, set a timer (or put on your favorite song) for two minutes. Brushing for this amount of time is crucial to eliminating plaque, bacteria, and food particles from your mouth and gums.

Once you brush at these set times for a few weeks, brushing will be a normal part of your schedule.

HYGIENE SCHEDULE

Floss Daily

Our dentists recommend flossing at least once a day. Flossing is necessary to prevent periodontal disease and eliminate bits of food that get stuck between the teeth and gums.

Similar to brushing, flossing is an easy habit to create and maintain.

Perhaps you could floss your teeth before your evening brush. That way, you’ll remember to do both.

What’s ultimately important is creating a schedule that works for you, not against you.

Replace Your Toothbrush Every 3-4 Months

One thing many patients forget to do is replace their toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every three to four months. If the bristles are splayed or worn, it will be much harder to clean your teeth effectively (Mayo Clinic).

An easy way to remember your replacement time is to set a reminder in your phone’s calendar.

As soon as you open your toothbrush package, create a notification for three and four months ahead to remind you when it’s time.

HYGIENE SCHEDULE

Stay on the Schedule

Finally, one of the most important things you can do is schedule regular checkups and cleanings at your dentist’s office. Healthy patients generally need two cleanings a year, while patients battling periodontal disease may need to come in more often.  Work with your dentist to determine what is needed to maintain your optimal dental health.

We know that life can be busy, so to make things easier, we suggest booking your next cleaning at your current appointment. That way, you’ll be on the schedule and won’t have to worry about shuffling anything around at the last minute.

If your dental office has an online system (like us!), then you can look for appointment times that work best for you!

The team at Great Expressions Dental Centers is dedicated to creating oral health awareness and helping you integrate healthy habits into your daily life.

If you have any questions about oral health or want to book a cleaning, make an appointment today at: https://my.greatexpressions.com/appointments/reservations/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=post

 

Sources

Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/dental/art-20047475

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