Spring Clean Your Oral Routine

Warmer weather is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing—spring is almost here! Spring is the season of renewal, so while you’re busy airing out your linens or deep-cleaning your car, don’t forget to give your teeth a little love. That’s right—your mouth could use a spring-cleaning just as much as your kitchen and your closets. Here are some tips to freshen up your oral care routine this spring:

Out With the Old, In With the New!

Is your toothbrush ready to retire? You wouldn’t use an old, dingy mop to scrub the bathroom floor, so why would you use a frayed, worn-out toothbrush to scrub your teeth? The ADA recommends that toothbrushes are replaced every three to four months, more frequently if you’ve been sick during this past cold and flu season, or if bristles are becoming frayed. Tired, worn bristles won’t be effective at cleaning your teeth, so one of the easiest ways to get a jump-start on the new season is to pick out a brand-new toothbrush.

Assess Your Technique

While you’re breaking in that new toothbrush, it’s a good time to take stock in your brushing technique. Most of us know we should be brushing twice a day for approximately two minutes each time, but we often fall short of that goal. Use your smartphone to set a timer for two minutes when you brush to make sure you’re putting in the right amount of time.

Also, be sure you’re not brushing with too much force, which can wear enamel down. And make sure you’re spending that two minutes wisely—hitting your teeth from each and every angle.

Renew Your Commitment to Floss

Now that we’re taking a close look at our personal oral care routine, it’s time to be honest with ourselves about our flossing habits. Are you flossing at least once a day, making sure to get between all of your teeth and sliding the floss up and down as you go along? Many Americans will admit that they sometimes rush through it, or neglect it altogether, but flossing is one of the best things you can do each day to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Now is the perfect time to re-commit to daily flossing.

Schedule a Professional Cleaning

Even if you have the best brushing and flossing technique, and remember to do it every single day, you will still benefit from having your teeth cleaned and examined every six months by your dentist or dental hygienist. One easy way to remember to do this is to schedule them for the spring and fall every year. Professional cleanings will help keep your teeth sparkling and healthy, and having regular exams can help treat any little problems that arise early-on, before they become big problems.

If you’re in Glendale or Centennial, Colorado, visit us at https://murdochdds.com/ to schedule a cleaning today! Dr. Murdoch has been practicing family dentistry in the Denver area for over 35 years.