Don’t Skip This Step in Your Oral Hygiene

Everyone loves a clean mouth, right?

And we think keeping that mouth of yours clean on the regular is worth celebrating. October as National Dental Hygiene Month thanks to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (known more commonly as ADHA) and Wrigley. They saw the need to focus on stellar oral health.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH

1. Floss Every Day: Much controversy exists around flossing, but we are here to tell you (with the advice of dentists backing us) that flossing is something you should be doing every day. There are things that brushing just can’t take care of, and that’s where flossing comes in.
2. Brush Twice a Day for Two Minutes: Brushing your teeth twice a day doesn’t only help battle morning breath and that lingering gross taste in your mouth, it also helps reduce the chances that you will develop gum disease. So every morning and every night, squeeze that toothpaste onto your toothbrush and get brushing, for two solid minutes.
3. Rinse With Mouthwash: Another thing that people think is optional with oral hygiene is mouthwash. But, according to dental hygienists, it shouldn’t be. Aim to make rinsing with mouthwash a regular occurrence after you brush and floss. See healthy DIY Mouthwash recipe, below, which can help keep your mouth clean and will do wonders for your breath.

4 STEPS FOR PROPER BRUSHING TECHNIQUE (Don’t forget the last step!)

1. ​Get the right angle: For the most effective brushing, tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle. ​
2. ​Get the motion down: Gently move the toothbrush back and forth. Be careful not to be too rough!​
3. ​Cover all surfaces: Get inside, outside, top, bottom, and everywhere in between.​
4. ​Don’t forget the tongue: Loads of bacteria lives on your tongue so make sure you remember to brush that. Bonus points for fresher breath, too. ​

Here’s a healthy DIY Mouthwash Recipe:

• A container – preferably glass
• ½ cup filtered or distilled water
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

Baking soda will settle to the bottom of the jar when not in use, so be sure to shake mouthwash before each use.  Swish about 2-3 teaspoons of this homemade formula in your mouth for a minute or two. As with any mouthwash, try to avoid swallowing this while gargling.

Feel free to double this recipe for a larger batch. Making really big batches is not recommended because the oils will continue to blend over time and flavors can change.

Adapted from National Today