The busier you are, the easier it becomes to neglect your oral hygiene. You get home from a long day and fall into bed without brushing, or perhaps you rush out the door with your morning cup of coffee before your teeth have seen a piece of floss. Over time, habits like these can permanently damage your teeth and gums.
While your schedule may not get any easier to manage, you can adopt routines and habits to help you adapt and take better care of your teeth. Plus, you can find a dentist that is open on Saturdays to help you track and manage your dental health.
Work Smarter Not Harder By Using More Convenient Tools
You may not have a full two minutes to devote to brushing your teeth by hand in the mornings. If you absolutely can’t fit more time into your day, or if you’re not in the habit of being thorough when you brush your teeth, consider using one or more of these tools:
- Electric toothbrushes. One study, published by the National Institute of Health (NIH), showed a highly significant difference between electric and manual toothbrushes. Powered toothbrushes get rid of more plaque, offering more protection from gingivitis.
- Floss picks. We know flossing is a pain for a lot of people. However, it doesn’t have to be. Floss picks can go in your car, purse, or office for a quick floss between meals. Getting rid of food particles in your mouth more frequently can better protect your mouth from harmful bacteria.
- Sugar-free gum. While chewing gum isn’t right for everyone, if you have healthy teeth and gums, you may benefit from the extra help sugar-free gum can provide. It not only stimulates saliva production which can remineralize your teeth and cleanse your mouth of bacteria, but it can get rid of any lodged food particles.
- Fibrous fruits and vegetables. Whether you have time to pack a lunch or have to swing by the drive-through, you can opt for a snack that does more of the work for you. Fibrous fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, and carrots help to scrape plaque and bacteria from your teeth and balance the bacteria in your mouth.
Include Your Oral Hygiene In Another Essential Routine
If there’s one thing you don’t skip, it’s probably your daily shower. It can help to combine certain routines that you prioritize. Not only will it help you to remember if you have difficulty establishing a tooth-brushing routine, but you can get two important tasks out of the way at once!
Do Rinse Your Mouth After Eating, Don’t Rinse After Brushing
When you’re too busy to thoroughly brush your teeth and floss, you can maybe cut down on a part of your routine that you didn’t know was unnecessary. While rinsing mouthwash can be helpful for some people to control bad breath and bacteria, it isn’t required, nor is rinsing your toothpaste with water. After you brush your teeth, it’s okay to wait to rinse. Allowing the toothpaste to sit in your mouth after brushing helps the fluoride do great things for your teeth.
If you waited to rinse after brushing, you can start doing a quick swish after meals away from home. This will help you cleanse your teeth of lodged food, sugar, and acid, and it will help your saliva do its job by protecting your teeth.
Looking for Dentists in Katy That Are Open on Saturday?
If you’re looking for a dentist that can accommodate your busy schedule, look no further. At Spring Green Family Dental, we offer family dentistry like tooth cleanings and checkups on Saturdays. We know how hard it can be to fit regular visits into a busy schedule, so we aim to accommodate you.
For family dentistry in Katy, Texas, schedule your appointment with our team. You can call 832-479-2623 or book online to get started.
