15 Dentists Share Dental Hygiene Tips Most People Don't Know

From Redditor u/triturator:

Flossing stops far more cavities than you think. I tell patients struggling with flossing to buy multiple packs. Keep floss around the house. Watch TV? Floss on the side table while watching.

From Redditor u/Endless_Vanity:

Use an electric brush for five minutes. This equals twenty minutes or more of manual brushing.

From Redditor u/christyg25:

Not a dentist, but my teeth look great. I missed my routine cleaning during COVID, so I needed a deep cleaning. That process is bad; you do not want that for you. Get cleanings every six months and floss. I brush twice daily and always floss. Keep those appointments.

From Redditor u/Vanarosa:

Floss with toothpaste. Flossing pulls out plaque and old food. Adding toothpaste boosts cavity prevention and gum health because the fluoride goes deep.

From Redditor u/1Dividend:

My dentist told me my tongue posture was wrong. I should rest my tongue on my mouth's root. This helped me breathe through my nose and supposedly stabilized my neck.

From Redditor u/Visible-Ant1949:

Toothpaste has no magic. Fluoride and fresh breath are the main benefits. Toothpastes with potassium nitrate help sensitive gums recede. Do not waste money on fad pastes like activated charcoal; it does nothing and is too rough.

From Redditor u/TheHalfDeadCat:

Do not rinse your mouth with water right after brushing. It washes away the fluoride protective layer.

From Redditor u/wishIhadlistened:

After eating or drinking, swish with plain water. Chew gum made with xylitol.

From Redditor u/drphilling:

Many people miss this: DO NOT brush right after vomiting. Rinse with water, then wait about 30 minutes. Stomach acid is very strong; brushing after vomiting can wear down your enamel.

From Redditor u/neonchipmunk:

Brushing too much or too hard can damage your gums. Some brushing techniques avoid this damage. Bacteria build up communities and release toxic waste products, causing gum pain. This weakens tooth structure, leading to sensitivity. It also makes your body react, causing gum inflammation. This results in swelling, sensitivity, and bleeding gums: gingivitis. If home care fails to fix gingivitis (a reversible condition), it can cause periodontitis (an irreversible condition), which means losing bone around your teeth. This exposes root surfaces, causing sensitivity and other problems.

From Redditor u/deqb:

Don't drink right after brushing or after something super acidic, like throwing up or candy. Your teeth will feel sensitive. Wait 15 minutes.

From Redditor u/Vanarosa:

If you brush only once a day, do it at night. My dentist told me this when I was busy. Morning brushing misses what builds up overnight. You eat, drink, snack, and use candy all day, leaving residue to fester. Brushing at night, especially after spitting, leaves fluoride coating your mouth. This protects your teeth and slows plaque and germ buildup. You would not have this if you only brushed in the morning.

From Redditor u/Vanarosa:

Buy a tongue scraper. You can scrub with toothpaste and then scrape. If you wake up with bad morning breath even after flossing and brushing, your tongue is likely the cause. Scraping removes all-day buildup. Scrubbing with toothpaste makes you extra clean. Make sure to scrape far back there.

From Redditor u/Vanarosa:

Wash your toothbrush often, not just after every use. This stops bacterial buildup. If you catch a cold or flu, toss the toothbrush entirely.

From Redditor u/Vanarosa:

DO NOT - I repeat - DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH IN THE BATHROOM. If you poop and do not close the lid before flushing, poop particles get on your toothbrush.