Spring Cleaning for Your Smile: Habits Worth Starting Now
Spring cleaning is not just for your home. Your oral hygiene routine is a living thing. It can get stale, fall into shortcuts, or simply stop working as well as it once did without you noticing. March is as good a time as any to take a fresh look at your habits and make a few upgrades.
The team at Sun Dental in Lethbridge has put together some of the most effective, simple things you can do right now to improve your oral health.
Replace Your Toothbrush
This one is easy and often overlooked. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months. If the bristles are splaying outward, it is already past time. A worn toothbrush does not clean effectively, no matter how long you brush.
Look for a soft-bristled brush, which is gentler on enamel and gum tissue while still getting the job done.
Revisit Your Flossing Technique
Most people who floss are not doing it incorrectly on purpose. But there is a big difference between a quick snap between two teeth and a thorough, curved floss that hugs the side of each tooth and dips just below the gumline. That curve is where the difference is made.
If flossing irritates your gums, it may be a sign of inflammation from infrequent flossing rather than a sign to stop. Give it two weeks of consistent daily flossing and see if sensitivity decreases. It usually does.
Check What You Are Drinking
Spring often brings more coffee, more sports drinks after outdoor activities, and an increase in sparkling water. All of these are acidic to varying degrees. Acid softens enamel temporarily, making teeth more vulnerable to wear and staining.
A simple habit: finish acidic drinks in one sitting rather than sipping throughout the day, and rinse with plain water afterward. Waiting 30 minutes before brushing after acidic drinks gives enamel time to reharden.
Take a Look at Your Gums
Healthy gums are pink, firm, and do not bleed during brushing. If yours bleed regularly or appear red and puffy, that is an early sign of gum inflammation, which is very treatable when caught early. Left unaddressed, gum disease advances quietly and can lead to more serious consequences.
If you have noticed any of these signs, it is worth mentioning to your dentist at your next appointment, or scheduling one sooner if it has been a while.
Schedule That Cleaning You Have Been Putting Off
No habit at home replaces what a professional cleaning can do. Tartar (hardened plaque) cannot be removed with a toothbrush, no matter how thorough you are. It builds up over time and is one of the leading contributors to gum disease.
If it has been more than six months since your last cleaning, spring is a perfect time to get back on track. Call Sun Dental at 403-327-3410 to book. We are at 718 3 Ave S in downtown Lethbridge, and we are happy to help you build a spring routine that actually sticks.