It’s not a secret that your teeth are very important! How many people do you smile at each day? [hopefully a lot!] You are constantly showing your teeth, and once those adult teeth come down they are the only set you’ve got. [Unless you are one of those weird “I had a third set of eye teeth” people.] So it’s important to do what you can to make them stay healthy and clean for your entire life.
I am a huge proponent of daily flossing, using mouthwash, and brushing- at LEAST twice a day! There is nothing wrong with a mid day cleaning- especially when it is common for you to drink things like coffee and tea or something else that clings to your teeth.
I always thought the relation of candy to cavities was a myth until I started eating large quantities of caramel corn this year. [It’s a treat when you’re gluten free and other desserts are not quite as tasty]. I realized that sugar and caramel cling to a lot of hard to reach places in your mouth- make sure you get the tools needed to clean those hard to reach spots.
Electric toothbrushes? I’ve tried them, but haven’t been extremely impressed. Seemed to be a lot of money to do a halfway job. My scrubbing skills via toothbrush are a lot more effective than some electric brush! And the saying "squeaky clean" caught on for a reason. When you can literally hear squeaking as the toothbrush rubs your teeth, your teeth are clean. Same with rinsing shampoo out of your hair.
My favorite type of toothbrush is Colgate's Whole Mouth Cleaning Toothbrush- while you are brushing, the other side of the toothbrush is giving your gums or cheeks a nice massage inside. Leaves your whole mouth feeling clean! As far as flossing, if you don’t do it regularly, you will bleed the first few times. Make it through the first week and you’ll come out with tougher gums. And use something gentle like Crest Glide or waxed floss- not the stuff that feels and looks like a tiny rope.
I floss & use mouthwash every day, and every 6 months when I go to the dentist he tells me what “gorgeous teeth” I have. I don’t mind the compliment- I work hard to get it! Thanks to those fluoride treatments as a kid, as well as good genetics, I’ve never had a cavity. That is becoming more and more common as dental health awareness grows. It is vital to take the time to show care for your mouth- and if your parents spent thousands of dollars for you to have straight teeth, use some Crest Whitestrips every now and then- keep them straight and white looking!
