{"id":1609609,"date":"2022-07-14T13:10:09","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T17:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/?p=1609609"},"modified":"2025-10-08T05:02:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T09:02:18","slug":"tip-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-oral-hygiene-routine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/tip-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-oral-hygiene-routine\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Oral Hygiene Routine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Do you love your smile? You probably know that regular brushing and flossing are key factors to obtaining and maintaining a beautiful smile. However, your oral health consists of many factors and not just flossing and brushing your teeth. Your oral hygiene has an impact on your overall health. For example, gum disease has been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer\u2019s, heart disease and even stroke. Here are some tips to get the most out of your oral hygiene routine to maintain optimal oral health.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-1-use-a-soft-bristled-toothbrush\">Tip # 1 \u2013 Use a Soft Bristled Toothbrush<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1609612\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1609612\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1609612\" src=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Toothbrush-Head-with-toothpaste.jpg\" alt=\"Oral Hygiene: Toothbrush head with toothpaste\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Toothbrush-Head-with-toothpaste.jpg 640w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Toothbrush-Head-with-toothpaste-320x213.jpg 320w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Toothbrush-Head-with-toothpaste-560x373.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1609612\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/albanycolley-6298107\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2789792\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daniel Albany<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2789792\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Do you typically use a hard bristled brush? You\u2019re supposed to replace your toothbrush every few months, unless the bristles are fraying and then it should be replaced sooner. Opt for a soft bristled brush to avoid damaging your teeth. Yes, medium and hard bristles likely make you feel like your teeth are much cleaner, but they can also be too abrasive which will result in damage over time. A soft bristled brush can clean your teeth just as well as harder bristles without adjusting how vigorously you brush. Dentists recommend just a gentle amount of pressure with your brush tilted at a 45-degree angle. Brush in a short, circular motion all across your teeth.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-2-use-mouthwash-and-or-sugar-free-gum\">Tip # 2 \u2013 Use Mouthwash and\/or Sugar Free Gum<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1609616\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1609616\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1609616\" src=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Mouthwash.jpg\" alt=\"Oral Hygiene: Man Pouring Mouthwash into small cup\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Mouthwash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Mouthwash-320x214.jpg 320w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Mouthwash-560x374.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1609616\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/albanycolley-6298107\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2789792\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Daniel Albany<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2789792\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you\u2019re already doing the normal brushing and flossing daily, you probably feel accomplished. However, using a mouthwash can help kill bacteria and fight plaque. You want to use mouthwash after brushing and flossing, swishing it around in your mouth for a minimum of 30 seconds, two times a day. Sugar-free gum is also a great way to help maintain your oral health. It can lessen the amount of bacteria in the mouth and stimulate salivary flow.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-3-dont-over-brush\">Tip # 3 \u2013 Don\u2019t Over-Brush<\/h2>\n<p>Is there such a thing as brushing your teeth too much? Yes! According to this <a href=\"https:\/\/martindaledental.com\/hamilton-jackson-square-dentist-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hamilton dentist<\/a>, you can actually cause damage to your tooth enamel and gums when brushing too often. Twice a day is still recommended by dentists but it\u2019s okay if you brush after every meal too. Before you do, after eating, rinse your mouth with water. Swish it around like you would mouthwash to free up any particles that may be lodged in your teeth.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-4-eat-foods-that-contribute-to-white-teeth\">Tip # 4 \u2013 Eat Foods That Contribute to White Teeth<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1609618\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1609618\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1609618\" src=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Carrots-Cucumbers-and-Peppers.jpg\" alt=\"Oral Hygiene: Carrots, Cucumbers and Peppers\" width=\"640\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Carrots-Cucumbers-and-Peppers.jpg 640w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Carrots-Cucumbers-and-Peppers-320x172.jpg 320w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Carrots-Cucumbers-and-Peppers-560x301.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1609618\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/congerdesign-509903\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2135733\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">congerdesign<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=2135733\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Yes, there are, in fact, certain foods that can help keep your teeth white. Carrots, cucumbers, pears, celery, apples, are all fibrous, coarse, raw foods that actually help to scrub the surface of your teeth, removing any accumulated plaque. This plaque is what makes teeth look yellow. In addition, these options are crunchy foods, and this means you must chew more, in turn stimulating saliva which helps reduce food particles in the mouth and neutralize acids that cause tooth erosion.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-5-dont-always-brush-immediately-after-food-or-drink\">Tip # 5 \u2013 Don\u2019t Always Brush Immediately After Food or Drink<\/h2>\n<p>Contrary to what you might have been told at one time, brushing immediately after certain food and drink is not recommended. Acidic drinks and foods have a low pH and soften the tooth\u2019s enamel temporarily. Therefore, if you brush right away you could damage your enamel, putting your teeth at risk for decay over time. It\u2019s best to wait half and hour to an hour before brushing after eating or drinking pop, citrus juice and fruits, soda, tomatoes, and wine.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-6-brush-in-the-back-first\">Tip # 6 \u2013 Brush in the Back First<\/h2>\n<p>When you go to brush your teeth, where you start makes a difference. Do you typically start brushing your front teeth first? If so, stop and start brushing in the back first. You want to do a great job cleaning the back teeth, which are harder to reach, because this is where cavities and disease are more likely to develop. Change up your method from time to time to make sure you\u2019re giving your teeth a good brushing.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-7-film-yourself\">Tip # 7 \u2013 Film Yourself<\/h2>\n<p>It might sound odd but recording yourself brushing your teeth could help you improve your brushing technique. It helps you be aware of just how you\u2019re brushing, how long, how many strokes and just how \u2018well\u2019 you do it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-8-keep-sugary-drinks-short-and-sweet\">Tip # 8 \u2013 Keep Sugary Drinks Short and Sweet<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1609621\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1609621\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1609621\" src=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Sugary-Drinks.jpg\" alt=\"Oral Hygiene: Sugary Drinks\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Sugary-Drinks.jpg 640w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Sugary-Drinks-320x214.jpg 320w, https:\/\/divine.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Oral-Hygiene-Sugary-Drinks-560x374.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1609621\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/katzenfee50-7273650\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3252160\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gabriele M. Reinhardt<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=3252160\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Don\u2019t take your time when enjoying a sugary drink. While it\u2019s recommended that you avoid them, it\u2019s understandable if you wish to treat yourself from time to time. Don\u2019t sip on it throughout the day and drink it in one sitting instead. Otherwise, your mouth is constantly being exposed to sugar and this guar could be used by certain bacteria as a source of food and turn it into lactic acid. This acid is what can dissolve your tooth\u2019s minerals, \u00a0resulting in tooth decay and cavities. If tooth decay progresses, it can eventually reach the inner layers of the tooth, causing infection and pain. In severe cases, the tooth may need to be extracted, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nuviasmiles.com\/blog\/all-on-4-dental-implants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">dental implant may be necessary<\/a> to replace the missing tooth.<\/p>\n<p>If a tooth is lost or severely damaged, it&#8217;s helpful to understand the restorative options available and the typical steps in treatment so you can make informed choices quickly. Early assessment often includes advanced imaging and a discussion of whether a filling, crown, or dental implant is the best path forward, with an emphasis on preserving nearby teeth and function. For readers seeking a local overview of common restorative approaches and what to expect during a consultation, clinics like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.drsilmansmilespa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.drsilmansmilespa.com\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1760000303599000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lHNxVc3ezbXsev18h7gtB\">drsilmansmilespa.com<\/a> outline typical evaluations and next steps. Prompt attention can reduce the complexity of future care and improve long-term outcomes.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"tip-9-dont-forget-to-clean-your-toothbrush-holder-regularly\">Tip # 9 \u2013 Don\u2019t Forget to Clean Your Toothbrush Holder Regularly<\/h2>\n<p>While you know to replace your toothbrush every few months or when the bristles are worn, it\u2019s important not to forget to wash the container that holds your toothbrush. It is exposed to germs and there\u2019s a study that found toothbrush holders are the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> germiest item in a home \u2013 eww gross! It doesn\u2019t matter if you wash it by hand with warm soapy water or run it through the dishwasher; just be sure to clean it at least 2-3 times a week.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post-excerpt\">Do you love your smile? You probably know that regular brushing and flossing are key factors to obtaining and maintaining a beautiful smile. However, your oral health consists of many&hellip;<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/tip-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-oral-hygiene-routine\/\" class=\"button button-primary button-effect\"><span>View Post<\/span><span><i class=\"cs-icon cs-icon-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":1609610,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[1780,11494,11497,11498,11495,11496,11500,11499],"powerkit_post_featured":[3,10392],"class_list":{"0":"post-1609609","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-oral-health","9":"tag-oral-hygiene","10":"tag-oral-hygiene-instructions","11":"tag-oral-hygiene-products","12":"tag-oral-hygiene-routine","13":"tag-oral-hygiene-tips","14":"tag-types-of-oral-hygiene","15":"tag-why-oral-hygiene-is-important"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1609609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1609609"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1609609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1621026,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1609609\/revisions\/1621026"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1609610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1609609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1609609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1609609"},{"taxonomy":"powerkit_post_featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/powerkit_post_featured?post=1609609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}