As a cosmetic dentist in Beaverton, our team at Murray Scholls Family Dental understands that whether you’re a student on the go or just busy at work, most people tend to their daily oral hygiene once in the morning and again before bed. While this might rank as the minimum effort required to maintain a healthy smile, this may not always be enough to properly maintain the health of your teeth.
Dr. Walker understands that time often restrains how many of our patients can work towards protecting the health of their teeth and gums, which is why it’s important to know of the variety of ways you can look after your oral health while on the go.
Let’s take a look at some of the easiest ways you can help improve your oral health whether at the office or in the classroom.
Carry a Travel Toothbrush
Easy to slip into a purse, backpack, or briefcase, a travel-sized toothbrush makes an ideal solution for those looking to protect their oral health while on the go.
Brushing plays a vital role in protecting your oral health because it allows you to remove oral bacteria and food particles that linger in the mouth after eating from the surface of your teeth and gums. When allowed to fester in the mouth, these substances contribute to the development of tooth decay and gum disease.
Brushing in the morning and again at night works to protect your oral health, but that still leaves the majority of the day where harmful substances can attack your teeth and gums.
For those looking to enjoy the best oral health possible, or for patients suffering from the effects of gum disease, brushing after each meal can greatly protect and improve the state of your oral health.
Travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpaste rolls are readily available at most drug stores and supermarkets. We’d even be happy to provide you with these tools during your next visit to see your cosmetic dentist in Beaverton.
Just spending a few minutes after breakfast and lunch to brush can make a major difference when it comes to preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
Floss, Floss, Floss
Okay, we’ve established the importance of brushing daily, but did you know that flossing actually plays a bigger role in protecting the long-term health of your teeth and gums?
That’s because flossing works to remove plaque and food particles from areas of your mouth a toothbrush cannot reach – between your teeth and below the gum line. In fact, the most common place in the mouth for cavities to develop is actually between your teeth.
Flossing offers a quick and convenient solution for cleaning your teeth between meals and lowering your risk of cavities. Better yet, unlike brushing that requires a sink and time to complete, you can floss anywhere. With the use of floss picks, you can clean your teeth while sitting in traffic, at your desk, or while walking back to the office.
It may not be the most glamourous of habits, but when combined with brushing, flossing offers the greatest protection possible for the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
A secret but highly effective way of protecting your oral health from decay and disease is to chew sugar free gum after between meals.
Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva flow in the mouth, which works to wash plaque and food particles away from your teeth and gums. Chewing sugar-free gum will help to produce more saliva, which in turn prevents the negative impact from the harmful oral bacteria that causes dental disease.
Just make sure you chew sugar-free gum, as most brands of bubble gum contain enough sugar to actually do more harm to your oral health than good.
