Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Teeth

woman brushing teeth

You’re armed and ready to tackle your annual household spring cleaning, but have you thought about doing the same for your teeth? In today’s blog, the experts at Northside Dental Clinic offer some easy ways to get your teeth ready to smile at the arrival of spring. 

Update Your Tools

Changing your toothbrush every three months represents one of the easiest things you can do to help keep teeth healthy. So when March arrives and hints of spring are budding, you know it’s time to swap the old bristles for new ones.

Go Electric. If you’ve never used an electric toothbrush before, now may be a great time to switch. Electric toothbrushes can get into hard-to-reach places that normal toothbrushes just can’t get to. Their swirling, up-and-down action may remove more residue than a normal brush. 

Go Green. If you want to make a bigger impact on the earth, try a bamboo toothbrush. Both the bristles and the handle are made from plant-based materials that are biodegradable. 

Floss. You have a choice between floss picks and regular dental floss. If you have issues with floss fraying or getting stuck in between teeth, we recommend wax-coated floss. Floss picks provide easy ways to control the floss. Regardless of which you choose, flossing can reduce gum disease and promote better oral health. 

Include the Whole Mouth

There’s more to the mouth than the teeth and gums. When you’re brushing, don’t forget to brush the roof of your mouth, tongue, and inside the cheeks. These areas can harbor bacteria that lead to tooth decay and bad breath. A totally fresh mouth will leave you feeling clean, energized, and ready to take on the day. 

Teeth Whitening 

Just like clean windows or a fresh coat of paint in your home, your teeth could use some brightening up as well. Switching to a whitening toothpaste is a great start. You can supplement this with whitening strips, gels, and trays. Or you can make an appointment with us for teeth whitening

Make an Appointment With Your Dentist

Even if you get a new toothbrush and start flossing, nothing can replace the value of seeing your dentist and oral hygienist for a professional cleaning. Your hygienist will use special tools to remove tartar and bacterial buildup on teeth and gums. This reduces the risk of disease and decay.

The Benefits of Spring Cleaning

Our teeth and mouth can affect the rest of our health. If infection sets in and goes untreated, it can have damaging effects on the heart and other parts of the body. Loose or decayed teeth can make it difficult to chew, resulting in poor eating habits or malnutrition. Bad-looking teeth can affect your self-esteem and lead to self-isolation. With regular cleaning, you can help avoid all of these things and flash a fresh, healthy smile to everyone you meet.

Who can help me with more oral hygiene tips? 

Northside Dental Clinic wants you to have the best oral hygiene. Spring cleaning your mouth and teeth can help jumpstart your new routine. Contact Northside Dental Clinic online or call (417) 862-2468 for more information.