A bright, healthy smile can help you feel more confident. And you absolutely deserve to feel confident when you look in the mirror, shake someone’s hand, or sit down for an interview. Procedures like professional whitening can be helpful if your teeth are yellow or badly discolored. But in most cases, you can keep your smile bright and fresh simply by improving your oral hygiene.

So, with no further ado, here are 10 top dental hygiene tips for a great smile.

1. Use Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste won’t dramatically whiten your teeth and make you look like a celebrity, but it will whiten your teeth a shade or two and help prevent staining. Look for a whitening toothpaste from a brand you trust. You can use whitening toothpaste in place of ordinary toothpaste every time you brush.

2. Floss Every Day

Flossing does more than prevent gum disease. It also helps prevent plaque from between your teeth and from along your gum line. If you remove plaque in the early stages, it won’t have a chance to turn into tartar, which is that hard, ugly material that can accumulate on your gum line.

If you often forget to floss, try setting an alarm reminder. Or, keep floss in your car and use it while you’re waiting in the parking lot!

3. Try Floss Picks

If you struggle to use dental floss, don’t just give up. Try dental floss picks instead. Many people find them easier to use.

4. Brush Right Before Bed

Do your evening tooth brushing session right before bed, when possible. This way, you’ll go to bed with as few oral bacteria in your mouth as possible, which can help prevent the buildup of yellowing plaque and tartar over time.

5. Use A Fluoride Mouthwash

Fluoride is a mineral that helps keep tooth enamel strong. Ask your dentist to recommend a mouthwash that contains fluoride. You can use this after you brush to help strengthen your tooth enamel. Strong enamel is less prone to decay, so you won’t have to worry as much about unsightly spots and cavities forming.

6. Keep a Toothbrush At Work

While most people can get away with brushing twice a day, your teeth will stay even cleaner and shinier if you brush after every meal. Keep a toothbrush at work or at school, and you will have an easier time remembering to brush after lunch and snacks.

7. Change Your Toothbrush

If your toothbrush is old, it may have frayed bristles, which won’t do as good of a job of removing plaque and stains from your teeth. Plus, old toothbrushes can hold onto oral bacteria, and you’ll re-introduce those bacteria when you brush. Swap your toothbrush out for a new one at least every three months, if not more often.

8. Brush Your Tongue

Do you brush your tongue when you’re finished brushing your teeth? If not, you should start. This helps remove more oral bacteria from your mouth, which, in turn, helps prevent the accumulation of plaque and tartar that can stain your teeth. There are also tongue scrapers you can use if brushing your tongue is too uncomfortable. WIth either device, be gentle, and always work from the back of your tongue towards the front.

9. Limit Your Sugar Intake

You don’t have to ban sugar altogether, but you should limit the number of sugary snacks and drinks you consume. These feed oral bacteria and can increase the amount of stain-enhancing plaque that forms in your teeth. Soda, energy drinks, and juice are all high in sugar. Water, green tea, and seltzer are better choices. Try to avoid candy, and instead opt for tooth-friendly snacks like cheese or nuts.

10. Don’t Smoke

Nothing stains your teeth quite like cigarette or cigar smoke! So, if you’re not a smoker, don’t start now. If you are a smoker, take steps towards quitting. Chewing nicotine gum works well for many people. There are also support groups you can join. The sooner you quit, the healthier and whiter your teeth will remain.

With these oral hygiene tips, you can keep your teeth brighter, whiter, and stronger. Don’t forget to also see your dentist for regular cleaning and checkup appointments. Contact us if you’re looking for a dentist in Chestermere, AB. We offer general dentistry services along with TMJ treatment, implants, Invisalign, and more.