6 Easy Habits To Keep Your Teeth Healthy!

Did you know that your long-term oral health is shaped by the small dental habits you practice every single day? Of course, we all know that brushing our teeth twice a day and having regular dental checkups are necessary to keep our teeth healthy. But to prevent common issues like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, you need more than 2 healthy habits listed above.

The good news? Keeping your teeth healthy doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. The key is knowing what habits will keep your teeth healthy and which ones could put them at risk for cavities or other problems down the road.

Fun Fact: Plaque begins to form on teeth 4 to 12 hours after brushing. That's why it’s important to brush at least twice a day to "reset" the clock before that film can harden into tartar, which only a dentist can remove.

That’s why in today’s blog, I'll share with you the 6 easy habits anyone can do to keep their teeth and gums strong, clean, and healthy for years to come!

But before we dive in, I want to challenge you: For the next 10 weeks, track your results while you try doing these 6 habits every day. Pay attention to how your teeth feel, how your gums look, and even how confident you feel about your smile. (You'll notice your teeth getting much healthier after 10 weeks!)

Habit #1: Don’t Go To Bed Without Brushing Your Teeth!

Most of us know that brushing our teeth twice a day is one of the most important oral practices for maintaining good oral health. It helps remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles that build up on our teeth throughout the day. Yet despite knowing this, many of us sometimes neglect to brush our teeth at night.

Please don't make this mistake! It could be that you are too tired after a long day, or maybe you’re traveling, out late with friends, or simply think “missing one night won’t hurt.” But skipping your nighttime brushing session is one of the most harmful habits for your teeth.

Fun Fact: While you sleep, your mouth produces significantly less saliva. This natural reduction often leads to increased dryness, allowing plaque-causing bacteria to multiply overnight.

This is exactly why brushing your teeth twice daily, especially before bed, is so important. Nighttime brushing removes plaque and leftover food that bacteria feed on, helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease while your body rests.

Tip: If you struggle to brush for a full two minutes at night, make it more enjoyable. Try using an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer, or listening to your favorite song while winding down your evening routine.

Your oral health begins with clean teeth, so do yourself a favor and brush your teeth before going to bed, so you can enjoy a good night's sleep and be well energized in the morning. If not, this bad habit can slowly lead to cavities, gum inflammation, and bad breath over time.

Summary: It doesn't matter what toothbrush you're using, the most important thing is consistency. Brushing your teeth twice a day, and never skipping brushing at night, can make a huge difference in keeping your teeth and gums strong and healthy.

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Habit #2: Brush Your Teeth Properly, Not Aggressively.

Now that you understand the importance of brushing twice a day, I'm gonna show you something that matters just as much as how often you brush your teeth: the way you brush. In fact, doing a poor job of brushing your teeth is almost as bad as not brushing at all!

Many people assume that brushing harder equals cleaner teeth. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Brushing with too much force can wear down your enamel, irritate your gums, and even lead to long-term dental issues like sensitivity and gum recession.

The proper way of brushing your teeth is to place your toothbrush against the gum line at a 45-degree angle and brush using small circular motions. Take time to brush the front, back, and top of every tooth (This process takes between 2 to 3 minutes).

Brush gently so that you don't damage the gum tissue or loosen healthy teeth. Again, you should brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the front and back as well as the chewing surface.

Also, most toothbrushes are made for slow and circular motions. If you aggressively brush your teeth, not only do you damage your enamel and gums, but you're also damaging the toothbrush bristle, which shortens the lifetime of your toothbrush.

Summary: Brushing your teeth too hard can damage your tooth enamel and gums. The effects of this may include tooth sensitivity, permanent damage to the protective enamel on the teeth, and gum erosion. Take at least 2 to 3 minutes for each brushing session to effectively remove harmful bacteria on your teeth.

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Habit #3: Consider Flossing Once A Day

A toothbrush alone can’t reach everything in your mouth. Even if you brush perfectly, bacteria and food particles can still hide in the tight spaces between your teeth and under the gum line. Over time, this buildup can lead to cavities, gum inflammation, bad breath, and even tooth loss if left untreated.

According to the University of Iowa, brushing alone only reaches about 60% of the tooth surfaces. That means if you skip flossing entirely, you’re leaving nearly 40% of your teeth vulnerable to plaque buildup and decay.

To floss correctly, gently slide the string of dental floss between each tooth from underneath one side of it across until it touches that same side on the other end. If there's anything stuck between your teeth after doing this, such as food particles, then remove them.

Tip: Make it a daily habit to floss once a day, but similar to brushing your teeth, don't be too aggressive with the floss, or you could be risking harming your gums.

There are different types of floss available, so choose one that you find comfortable and easy to use. I recommend you look for more fun and effective ready-to-use dental flossers instead of using string or fishing lines!

Summary: Flossing daily can help remove plaque and bacteria form between the teeth, where a toothbrush is unable to reach. When done gently and consistently, flossing can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and even bad breath.

Photo: © AndreyPopov via Getty Images

Habit #4: Consider Using Mouthwash

Alongside brushing and flossing, many dentists recommend adding mouthwash to your daily oral care routine. While it’s not an essential replacement for brushing or flossing, it can be a powerful supporting habit that helps improve overall oral hygiene.

Many of us skip this part because we don't know the full benefits of using mouthwash. Mouthwash helps:

• Reduce plaque buildup
• Prevent and fix bad breath
• Cleans hard-to-brush areas around the gums
• Help manage dry mouth
• And strengthen enamel

In short, mouthwash helps clean what brushing and flossing might miss, especially in tight spaces where bacteria tend to hide. Also, mouthwashes that contain fluoride or alcohol further help prevent cavities, reduce plaque, and kill bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath.

Tip: The National Health Service recommends using your mouthwash right after lunch and not straight after brushing your teeth because it will wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth.

Summary: While mouthwash cannot be a substitute for brushing your teeth, it can help enhance the practice by reducing bacteria, fighting bad breath, strengthening enamel, and reaching areas that are difficult to clean. If you're not already using mouthwash, please do your teeth another favor and consider using mouthwash once a day to further improve your oral health.

Photo: © Nicolas Menijes via canva.com

Habit #5: Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three Months

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3 months or when the ends start to look frayed, whichever comes first.

But why?

Because the bristles of your toothbrush become matted or frayed after months of using them. The effectiveness of the brush will decrease as the bristles become worn.

Toothbrush Care Tips:

1. Do not share your toothbrushes with anyone: Sharing a toothbrush could result in an exchange of bodily fluids and microorganisms between people.

2. Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly after each use: It's important to remove any remaining toothpaste before using it the next day.

3. Store your toothbrush in an upright position after use: Do this to allow your toothbrush to air dry.

(Learn more about how to properly take care of your toothbrush)

Tip: The best way to tell if it's time for a new toothbrush is by looking at the bristles. If they appear worn, frayed, or discolored, then it's time to get a new one!

And if you're feeling guilty about the plastic waste generated from your toothbrush, buy a bamboo toothbrush right away. It is eco-friendly, affordable, and doesn't require you to do any extra work.

Summary: Aim to replace your toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles appear worn, frayed, or discolored. A fresh toothbrush can clean more effectively and help ensure that every brushing session is actually worth its time.

Photo: © diignat via Getty Images

Habit #6: See Your Dentist Every 6 Months

Your daily oral care habits (brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash) form the foundation of your overall oral health. However, at a minimum, you should see your dentist for cleaning and checkups twice a year.

Not only can they spot potential issues early and offer you treatment solutions before they turn into an expensive problem, but they can also help you create a daily brushing and flossing plan that is suited to your specific needs.

And according to a Time Magazine Survey, 59% of Americans would rather sit in a Dentist’s chair than sit next to someone talking on a cell phone. So you don't have to be afraid of the dentist. I often less stressful than their reputation suggests!

As long as you take care of your teeth, dental visits can actually be quite a pleasant experience. Also, talk to your dentist if you have any questions. Your dentist is there to help you with your oral care.

Tip: Staying hydrated plays a bigger role in oral health than many people realize. Drink plenty of water (not sugary drinks) to help keep your mouth clean and your saliva flowing!

Summary: Seeing your dentist twice a year is always a good idea. During a routine dental examination, the dentist will not only clean your teeth and remove plaque, but they will also be able to spot potential issues and offer you treatment solutions. This is especially true if you have any other health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Quick Takeaway

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is important not just for a beautiful smile, but also for overall health and well-being. Here are 6 easy habits that can help keep your teeth healthy:

Habit #1: Don't Go To Bed Without Brushing Your Teeth - This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed.

Habit #2: Brush Your Teeth Properly, Not Aggressively - Not only does aggressive brushing damage your teeth and gums, but it also damages the toothbrush bristle, which shortens the lifetime of your toothbrush.

Habit #3: Consider Flossing Once A Day - Flossing removes plaque and food particle buildup between your teeth, areas that your toothbrush can't reach.

Habit #4: Consider Using A Mouthwash - Mouthwash can help reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and freshen your breath.

Habit #5: Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three Months - The bristles of your toothbrush become matted or frayed after months of using it. The effectiveness of the brush decreases as the bristles become worn.

Habit #6: See Your Dentist Every 6 Months - Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can identify and treat any problems early on, before they become more serious.

By incorporating these healthy oral habits into your daily routine, you can be sure that they will keep your teeth healthy and maintain a bright smile for years to come. (And remember, consistency is key!)

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Healthy Dental Habits:

Question #1: What habits make my teeth healthy?

Answer: Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important habits to keep your teeth clean and healthy. It will help remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

Question #2: How often should I brush my teeth?

Answer: The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. However, if you have gum disease, cavities, or other dental issues, your dentist might recommend brushing more often or using specific techniques.

Question #3: What habits damage my teeth the most?

Answer: There are a lot of unhealthy habits that can damage your teeth, some more significantly than others. However, not brushing your teeth regularly is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth. If you don't brush your teeth regularly, plaque can build up and eventually cause serious damage to your teeth and oral health.

Question #4: What are some other important habits for good oral health besides brushing?

Answer: Besides brushing your teeth, most dentists also recommend that you floss daily, follow a healthy diet that limits sugary foods and drinks, quit smoking, schedule regular dental checkups, and rinse with mouthwash after brushing to maintain good oral health.

Question #5: Is brushing at night more important than brushing in the morning?

Answer: Both are important, and you shouldn't skip any of them. However, brushing before bed removes food particles and plaque that accumulate during the day. This is critical because while you sleep, saliva production decreases, allowing bacteria to multiply more easily.

Disclaimer

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your dentist to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.

Again, the content on Ecopify.com is for informational purposes only. Content is neither intended to nor does it establish a standard of care or the official policy and is not a substitute for professional judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ecopify is not responsible for information on external websites linked to this website.