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Life moves fast. It’s easy to let your oral hygiene routine slip when you’re stretched thin. But even the busiest bees need to make time for healthy teeth and gums. Focusing on preventive care now saves you discomfort, money, and dental drama down the road. That’s why we’re glad to have appointments as early as 7 a.m. for both of our locations. You can get your visit in before you start your day! However, we wanted to highlight a few simple ways of staying on top of your oral health when every minute counts:
- Streamline Your Routine
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing for 2 minutes twice a day and flossing at least once per day. That may sound easy, but can feel impossible on overbooked days. The key is identifying easy opportunities to fit in your routines. Brush first thing when you wake up, keeping in a convenient place. Bring floss, toothbrush, and toothpaste with you, so you can take a break at work and practice your oral hygiene routine before returning to your desk.
You may also want to set phone alarms as reminders until the habit sticks. Little adjustments like these eliminate the need for extra time.
- Multitask Mouth Care
We get it. Who has time to just stand around brushing? The good news is oral care can happen simultaneously with other tasks. Floss picks make it easy to floss with one hand while checking your email with another. Brush your teeth while listening to one of your favorite podcasts. Wind down at night by watching your favorite show while laying on the couch, doing your full two-minute brushing routine.
- Prioritize Prevention
Cavities and gum disease can escalate quickly from minor to major when ignored. Stay ahead of issues to avoid painful problems down the line. Invest in an electric toothbrush with built-in timers to ensure adequate brush time. Get your professional teeth cleaning scheduled in advance and make sure you commit to them twice annually. Addressing oral health concerns early on will save you time and stress is key.
- Refuel with Water
Hydration is crucial for saliva flow, naturally cleansing teeth, and neutralizing mouth bacteria. Yet when we’re active all day, plain old water can slip our minds. Combat dry mouth and increase cleansing saliva by setting phone alerts to drink water. Smart water bottles are also available that remind you to take sips during the day. Make sure you keep a bottle with you during activities. Choose it over sugary or acidic drinks, which can erode enamel.
- Snack Smartly
It’s tempting to grab sugary or starchy snacks when we’re racing between tasks. But excess sugar feeds the bacteria that erode tooth enamel. Fortify your teeth against decay by picking smart snacks like cheese, freshly cut vegetables, sliced fruits, nuts, or sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol. The crunchy fibers in fruits and veggies also help clean teeth.
Pack grab-and-go snacks you can eat on the run so you don’t end up opting for fast food out of convenience. Meal-prepping some dental-friendly snacks once a week saves time and your smile!
Next time you’re stretched a little too thin, don’t let your pearly whites suffer. With a few minor adjustments, staying on top of oral health is easy. You can schedule online for an appointment to get yours. You can also call 804-607-9348 for Mathews, VA or 804-455-8263 for Deltaville, VA for an appointment as well.