I went to the dentist this month, and while I was there, I asked my hygienist if she had any pro tips for me. She did, and here they are:
- There really is no substitute for brushing twice a day and flossing at least once.(I have also heard from other hygienists that water picks work well for people who have real difficulty flossing, but you do have to make an effort to keep the machine clean.)
- Regular, good oral hygiene is especially important for people who cannot make it to the dentist twice a year (as recommended).
- In between meals, refrain from sipping on beverages for long periods of time such as coffee, energy drinks, and soda that contain sugar, as they can contribute to tooth decay and oral dysbiosis.
- She emphasized the importance of saliva, which helps wash away sugary or starchy residues. So, in general, sweet beverages or those with acids should be consumed with meals, because meals stimulate saliva production.
- Soft, starchy snacks are the worst, as they tend to stick to teeth. Without enough saliva or other food particles to scrape or wash them away, starchy residues on and between teeth can trigger microbial overgrowth and acid production. It’s a feast for them!
- I would say that this last point is a good argument for a “high-residue diet” of intact and minimally processed foods.
- Don’t rinse the toothpaste out of your mouth after brushing your teeth! The fluoride in the toothpaste needs about 20 minutes uninterrupted by water or food to help repair your enamel.
When reading through the literature, it seemed that many of the studies—especially earlier ones—were a bit simplistic, for instance asking people whether they flossed or brushed. What if you do both? For best results, I brush my teeth to remove large particles, floss, and then brush again to remove any plaque or debris dislodged by flossing.