We all know that oral care is a vital pillar when it comes to our overall health. Then why is it that so many of us fail to invest the necessary time into figuring out how to best take care of our teeth. Sure, we brush, floss and visit the dentist – but are those things enough to really be at the top of our oral health care game? Probably not, because there is more to it than that.
We don’t want our teeth turning yellow prematurely, and we don’t want cavities, gum disease or worse either. That means we need to make an investment in figuring out what works and what doesn’t, so we can optimize our routine to best take care of our teeth.
Keep reading to learn about some of the best teeth cleaning hacks you really need to know.
Incorporate a proper brushing regiment
For starters, you’ll need to brush your teeth twice per day. That means once in the morning and once in the evening before bed. Pretty standard stuff, right? To add to your teeth cleaning prowess, you should also consider rinsing and brushing after meals. After we eat is when our mouth is most susceptible to bacteria build-up thanks to the left-over food particles. That’s why getting your mouth clean after a meal is important and will take your oral freshness to another level. Even a thorough rinse with water can do wonders for clearing food particles and bacteria from your palette, and it’s something you can do anywhere.
Remember to brush your teeth properly, but don’t do it within twenty minutes of eating though, or else you risk damaging your enamel. This is especially true if you brush after eating often, so it’s best to rinse right away, then brush a half hour later.
Always add a daily flossing session into the mix
Rinsing is step one, brushing is step two, and step three is flossing your teeth. Believe us, it’s a vital part to your oral care routine in a couple different ways. First, flossing will help remove food particles, bacteria and plaque that’s trapped between your teeth. These areas are tough for a toothbrush to reach, which means stuff gets trapped and begins to cause bacteria.
Flossing is also great for your gum health, not only because it helps keep harmful bacteria at bay, but also because it works like a sort of gum massage. When you run the floss between your teeth, your gums will inevitably be contacted, which is a good thing provided you aren’t putting too much pressure. Ever notice that your gums bleed if you haven’t flossed in a while, but then a couple sessions later they don’t? That’s because your gums have become tougher and less irritated thanks to the stimulation.
Oil pulling for the win
If you haven’t heard of this technique by now, it’s time you give it a try. Oil pulling is an ancient practice used to improve the health of your mouth and body. The process involves using an oil (we recommend coconut oil) to draw out bacteria and toxins from your mouth which you then expel into the garbage. Take a spoonful of oil into your mouth and swish it around for at least ten minutes. You’ll notice that the oil went in clear but when you spit it out, the color will be different. That’s all the gunk you’ve pulled out, and it can be quite gross to see.
Remember to always spit the oil into a tissue and put it in the garbage can rather than just flushing it down the sink. If you flush it, chances are it will harden inside the drainpipe and cause a clog.
Use activated charcoal as a natural whitening tool
After you’ve rinsed, brushed, and flossed – it’s time to give your teeth a light scrub with some activated charcoal. You can buy this stuff in powder form or use a toothpaste that contains it. The idea is that the charcoal acts to gently scrub your teeth, causing them to shine over time. Yes, it’s an extra step and adds time to your routine, but the results are great if you do it regularly.
Brushing with charcoal is a great way to keep your teeth white after a whitening, and to help undo some of the discoloration effects associated with eating, drinking, and ageing.
Keep your toothbrush clean and dry
Bacteria loves a moist environment, and that makes your toothbrush a perfect breeding ground. Especially because it’s the tool you use to literally remove bacteria from your teeth, so you better believe it will be full of the stuff. You should always rinse your toothbrush in hot water after use, or dip it in some rubbing alcohol, and then make sure it dries out fully when you’re done.
Eat the right foods for your mouth specifically
There are certain foods you can eat that will have a big impact on your teeth and oral health. Just by eating them the number of bacteria in your mouth will reduce, your gums will be healthier, and your breath won’t smell foul. As a bonus, these types of foods are also amazing for your overall health. We recommend including these in your diet as often as you can. Throw out the chips, and snack on something good for your body instead.
Here’s the list:
- Eggs – strengthen teeth and protect against damage
- Carrots – nourish your gums, improve blood flow and clean your teeth as you chew
- Green tea – helps prevent the formation of plaque and is great for your gums
- Oranges, strawberries and pineapples – these are so good for your body, but they also contain acids that will help whiten your teeth
- Hard cheese – helps maintain the acid-alkaline balance inside your mouth
- Chicory root – flushes your mouth, improves blood flow and is super refreshing to eat
- Celery – helps fight bacteria growth and maintains fresh breath
- Apples – keep your mouth protected against tooth decay and removes bad breath
- Seafood – strengthens the bone tissue in your mouth and helps keep tooth enamel healthy
- Nuts – help nourish bone tissue and keep nerve fibres intact
- Honey – has disinfectant properties that heal mucous tissue inflammation
In conclusion
Not every care routine is the same but keeping your teeth clean isn’t all that difficult provided you have the right tools and know how for the task. We hope the teeth cleaning hacks we’ve offered help make a difference to your oral health and that you’re able to add them into your daily life.