Life Fright

Please note that these are reiterations of what I have been told/what I have learned. Always do your own research before practicing or implementing the advice of others!

1. Brushing Technique

Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line. This only applies for manual toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes require a different technique and it is best to consult the user manual on best practices.

2. Choose the Right Mouthwash

Use an alcohol-free mouthwash that contains Fluoride. Do not buy alcohol-based mouthwashes. They kill all the bacteria in your mouth, and there are good bacteria that you do want to preserve in your oral microbiome. Decimating that population can lead to imbalances which is not good for your dental hygiene.

3. Conditionally Rinse with Water

Swish your mouth with water after consuming teeth-staining foods like coffee, tea, or berries. As for acidic foods like citrus, do not rinse with water since that will spread the acid around your mouth. Instead wait at least 30 minutes before rinsing.

4. Floss Every Day

Floss every day! No exceptions. Finding the right floss that works for you and that you like is key. My latest dentist recommended the Glide floss in the gray container. Make sure you are up to date with the best flossing practices, scraping against each tooth side before moving on to the next tooth gap.

5. Sanitize Your Toothbrush

Sanitize your toothbrush with mouthwash. Think about it. We hopefully brush our teeth 2 times a day and that toothbrush is brushing away all the debris and simply getting rinsed with water after each use. It should be sanitized every so often!