Your 3-step Daily Oral Health Routine: Brushing, Flossing & Rinsing Made Simple
A healthy mouth is more than just a great smile—it's the foundation of your overall health. Building a daily oral hygiene routine that works for you can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and even support your total well-being. By following these three essential steps: brushing, flossing and rinsing, you can protect your teeth, gums, and overall health. After all, a healthy mouth means a healthier you.
Continue reading to learn more about how to build a routine that works for you and select the right tools for your needs.
Choosing the Right Oral Care Products
The right toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash can help you maintain good oral health. Here are some simple tips to help you choose the best options for your oral health routine.
How To Choose a Toothbrush
- Consider bristle type: Toothbrushes come with soft, medium, or hard/firm bristles. A soft-bristled toothbrush is best to avoid harming your gums while brushing, but it's important to ask your dentist what they recommend.
- Consider head size & shape: Toothbrushes come in a variety of designs. Some feature ergonomic or grippy handles, which make them easier to hold, while others have smaller heads, making it easier to reach back molars. Consider what challenges you face and what you prefer in a toothbrush–you may need to try a few before finding the right one.
- Consider going electric: Electric toothbrushes are a great option for anyone seeking a deeper, more effective clean, and particularly those with limited dexterity or mobility. They can help make brushing easier with features like vibrating or oscillating heads, built-in timers, and different brushing modes.
Your Oral Health Routine Questions, Answered
There are a few common questions people ask when building their daily oral hygiene routine, such as how long to spend on each task and the order in which to perform them. You should consult your dentist for advice specific to your oral health needs, but here are some general guidelines to get you started:
How long should you brush your teeth for?
You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes per brush.
How many times a day should you brush your teeth?
You should brush your teeth at least twice a day–in the morning and the evening–but ideally after every meal.
Should you rinse after brushing your teeth?
Generally, you should not rinse with water immediately after brushing. Not rinsing immediately with water allows the key ingredients in the toothpaste leftover on your teeth, like fluoride, to continue to be effective.
Should you floss before or after brushing?
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends flossing before brushing your teeth. This can help to dislodge any food particles and loosen plaque, making it easier to brush them away with your toothbrush, resulting in a more effective clean.
Which mouthwash is best for gum disease & gingivitis?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection affecting the gums and the bone surrounding one or more teeth, leading to irritation and inflammation. The initial stage is gingivitis, marked by red or swollen gums and bleeding gums, while periodontitis is the advanced stage with symptoms like loose teeth and exposed roots of teeth.
The best mouthwash for gum disease and gingivitis is specifically formulated and proven to kill the bacteria causing gingivitis (look for the CDA seal of approval!), and is unlikely to irritate your gums. You may also want to opt for an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid further irritating sensitive gums. A great option to consider is the Crest® Pro-Health Multi-Protection Mouthwash. This alcohol-free mouthwash is proven to reverse early signs of gum disease, reduce gum inflammation, and eliminate bad breath germs!
How To Choose a Toothpaste & Mouthwash
- Consider your oral health goals: Do you have specific oral health concerns you want to target, like fighting cavities, managing sensitivity, or whitening your smile? There's toothpaste and mouthwash for that. No specific goal? There’s also options that target more than one concern, like the Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste, which includes ingredients to help fight cavities, plaque, tartar, sensitivity, and gingivitis, and whiten teeth and fresh breath.
- Consider your entire oral hygiene routine: Some oral care products work better together or can address multiple needs simultaneously. For example, your toothbrush and toothpaste might be specifically formulated to help manage sensitivity and fight gingivitis, while your mouthwash could target whitening or preventing plaque buildup and tartar.
- Look for the CDA seal of approval: The CDA seal can be found on oral care products that have successfully completed the CDA’s review process. This seal confirms that the oral health benefits claimed by the manufacturer are supported by scientific evidence.
Don’t Forget To Floss!
Flossing is an essential step in your daily oral hygiene routine. Regular flossing helps remove plaque and debris from between your teeth that brushing can’t, which can lead to the formation of tartar and gum disease like gingivitis. Not only does flossing every day help protect your gum health, but it can also make your teeth look brighter and allow you to regularly examine your mouth for any swelling or redness that could be signs of other health conditions.
The right toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash can help you maintain good oral health. Here are some simple tips to help you choose the best options for your oral health routine.
With the right flossing products, like Oral-B Glide Pro-Health Comfort Plus Mint Floss, you can make flossing a convenient part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
