The arrival of spring has us itching to fling open the windows, clear away clutter, and give our homes a refreshing deep clean. But what about doing a little “spring cleaning” for your family’s oral health routines too?
The shifting seasons present the perfect chance to develop positive new dentistry habits and reassess if your current lineup of toothpastes, rinses, and flosses are doing enough to support your kids’ mouth hygiene before summer fun gets underway.
Here are our top tips for getting mouths squeaky clean and smiles ready to dazzle this springtime:
Swap Out Tired Toothbrushes
Has it been at least three months since your last toothbrush change? The American Dental Association recommends replacing toothbrushes or their heads every 12 weeks at a minimum since frayed bristles lose cleaning power over time. Upgrade everyone to fresh brushes and evaluate if varying textures, sizes or built-in tongue cleaner models might improve habits.
Review Proper Technique
Especially for young children still cementing mouth care skills, use spring cleaning time to refresh proper brushing methodology. Ensure kids brush gently at a 45-degree angle rotating between gumline and teeth for two minutes total. Break up the mouth into quadrants to ensure thorough attention across all surfaces. Emphasize that water alone cannot remove plaque—only bristles can whisk it away.
Address Oral Irritation
If your child deals with irritation like canker sores or gum swelling, assess what factors might provoke flare ups. Culprits can include harsh bristles, over-vigorous scrubbing, or past-its-prime toothpaste. Consult our team about ideal alternatives and techniques that need troubleshooting.
Incorporate New Oral Rinses
The right rinse can positively supplement a basic brushing routine depending on your child’s unique oral state. Options range from sensitivity-calming and enamel-strengthening to gum-soothing. Have us evaluate at their next visit whether adding something like an antimicrobial pre-rinse could step up oral wellness.
A fresh start for refreshed smiles! With some simple oral health spring cleaning measures, your family will build positive momentum making each future trip to our orthodontist’s chair even easier this year.
