Maintaining a healthy smile is no laid back task. It requires you to maintain a routine twice a day, everyday! That can be difficult to do because it’s an easy thing to let slip out of your mind. There’s also a chance that what you think is maintaining a healthy routine is actually cutting yourself short a little bit. It’s important to know the guidelines for a great oral hygiene routine so that you can keep your teeth healthy between routinely scheduled dental visits.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should be brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, totally four minutes a day. You should also floss before your evening brushing. So, are you brushing for two minutes each time you brush? The next time you brush your teeth, time yourself! Then, check out these tips for making sure you brush the recommended length of time!
1) Use a timer – A cheap kitchen timer that will stick to your bathroom mirror is a great way to make sure you’re brushing for the correct amount of time.
2) Use your phone – Most cell phones have a timer function that can also help.
3) A timer toothbrush – Some powered brushes are made so that they won’t turn off until they’ve been running for two minutes.
4) Accountability – Ask your partner or a friend to help you keep track of time. Take this seriously with someone else.
It might seem kind of silly: timing how long your brush your teeth. It you think about it, most people probably brush their teeth in about 30-45 seconds. That’s 25% of the recommended time they should be brushing. There are bound to be consequences for such a short brushing. If you’d like more ideas on how you can improve your oral health, give us a call! We’d love to talk with you about improving your smile!
