Fast-paced lives, crazy schedules, and back-to-back appointments can have a negative impact on our daily oral care routine. But, no matter how busy you get, you should still maintain good oral health care habits. Neglecting your teeth and gums doesn’t only mean cavities, rotten teeth, and gum disease, it can also lead to some serious health conditions, including heart disease, and strokes.
The team at Triangle Family Dentistry in North Carolina know just how manic life can get, which is why we’ve asked them to share some of their top tips to keep your teeth and gums healthy, no matter how hectic life gets.
The Best Oral Care Guide for People on the Go
1. Get an Electric Toothbrush
The doctors at Triangle Family Dentistry in Morrisville, suggest that you invest in an electric toothbrush to save a bit of time. The smaller electric head gets into those harder to reach places, and the rotating action of the bristles removes plaque more effectively.
This simple little device will keep your teeth clean and cavity-free while shaving a bit of time off your oral care routine. You might also want to consider the latest automatic electric toothbrush, the Amabrush, that cleans teeth in less than 15 seconds.
2. Don’t Forget to Floss
When time is of the essence, it’s easy to leave out flossing. But like our team at the Apex office explains, you shouldn’t have to. Flossettes are a quick and easy way to get rid of the bacteria in between your teeth, or if you prefer, you can use an interdental toothbrush. If you find yourself not flossing because of a busy schedule, she recommends you do it before you brush.
3. Replace your Toothbrush
You should replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every two to three months. However, if you have been ill, you should get a new one immediately. Also, according to the team of doctors at our Cary Park practice, it’s a good idea to keep everyone’s brushes at least an inch or two apart as germs can hop from one brush to another. Or even better, keep them completely separate, if you can.
4. Don’t Rinse Straight Away
For people with busy schedules, it might seem like a waste of time waiting a few seconds to rinse after brushing, but it’s essential that you do. This is because the fluoride in your toothpaste actually helps protect your teeth. The doctors at the Wake Forest office suggest that you do something else in between brushing and rinsing so that the fluoride actually has a chance to work.
5. Watch Your Sugar Intake
Whether it’s sugary drinks or snacks, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your sugar intake throughout the day. As Triangle Family Dentistry’s doctors explain, people who have more than three glasses of sugar-loaded soda drinks in a day have around 60% more tooth decay than those who don’t. Even fruit juice has a high sugar content, which is why drinking water is a better option.
6. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
It’s a good idea to keep an extra toothbrush and toothpaste in your work drawer to keep your breath fresh and mouth bacteria-free, but it isn’t always possible during the day. The team at the Fuquay Varina practice, recommends chewing sugar-free gum in between snacks and meals to get rid of any leftover food particles. It’s also a great way to keep your breath minty fresh.
7. Pack Fresh Veggies
Our Morrisville dentists suggest you include fresh, fibrous veggies like celery, carrots, and cucumbers in your diet. Because of their water content, they balance your mouth’s pH levels and also scrape bad-breath-causing food bits off your teeth. This isn’t a substitute for brushing or flossing, but it works for those times when you don’t have a toothbrush handy.
8. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
While you might think visiting your dentist every six months is eating into your schedule, it actually saves you time in the long run. As the doctors from Triangle Family Dental in Cary Park explain, maintaining an excellent oral care routine with regular dental checkups will keep your teeth and gums healthy, and cut down the amount of time you spend in the dentist’s chair.
9. Find a Dentist with Convenient Times
One of the main reasons people don’t go to the dentist is because the consultation times don’t fit into their hectic schedules. This is why it’s important you find a dentist with convenient consultation times, like Triangle Family Dentistry. To save even more time, book the whole family’s appointments at once.
With multiple practices located around North Carolina, patients can make appointments at a time that suits them, even on Saturday. You can also book an appointment online, and make payments via their website.
10. Don’t Forget to Play
These simple oral care hacks will keep your teeth and gums healthy, without taking up too much time. But, it’s also a good idea to slow down every now and then. After all, you know what they say about too much work and no play.
