Try Incorporating These Tips From Our Elmhurst Dentist Into Your Afternoon Routine

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Nov 15, 2022

We all take special care to clean our smiles morning and night, but what if there was more that you could do to improve your oral health during the day? Keep reading to learn more from our Elmhurst dentists about refreshing your smile throughout the day… 

After lunch…

Take just a few seconds to clean and refresh your smile after you’ve finished your midday meal. Use floss to gently remove any dental debris or plaque that may be stuck between your teeth. And swish some water around your smile to clean your mouth, freshen your breath, and jump-start saliva production. You may be surprised at just how much better your smile feels after instituting this simple routine.

Every hour…

Be mindful about consuming water and staying hydrated. Proper hydration is absolutely essential to maintaining a healthy smile. Patients who suffer from chronic dry mouth experience increased instances of halitosis, periodontal disease, and dental caries. As you move into your afternoon routine, build in a short break to rehydrate.

Create a schedule…

Try to pre-plan when you will drink beverages that can be problematic for your smile—these are drinks with a lot of sugar or acid. If you expose your teeth to these beverages continuously throughout the day, then your teeth don’t really have a chance to re-mineralize. That is why we recommend that patients consume these types of beverages in specific, time-limited sittings.

Try incorporating some of these strategies into your regular routine, and enjoy a fresher and cleaner smile. To learn more, or to schedule a personal consultation with our team, please reach out to our Elmhurst dentists by phone or through our Contact Us page.