A new year, a new morning oral health routine

When you’re waking up bleary-eyed in the morning, it’s easy to skip some pretty important steps in your oral health routine. But it’s worth remembering that healthy teeth and gums are an important investment in your health and well-being.

We’ve done some research on what oral care professionals believe are some key steps of an ideal oral health routine.

You probably wonder why we started off with flossing rather than brushing, right? In our previous article, “Should you brush or floss first?”, we found that it’s flossing that should be done before brushing:

If you’re using traditional floss (such as our refillable Moso Dental Floss), wind the floss around your index fingers and gently lower it between your teeth. Follow the natural curve of each tooth. When the floss gets dirty, use a clean section for the next tooth. Be sure to get all the way back to those big pearly molars!

If using a long piece of floss is awkward for you, we totally understand. You can try out our Bio Floss Easy Picks. These picks “hold” the floss for you, making your job a lot easier, especially for those rushed mornings.

Did you know that acid from certain morning foods and beverages (such as orange juice or grape fruit) weakens tooth enamel? When your teeth’s enamel is weakened, brushing too soon can damage your teeth! This is why if you’re the type to brush after breakfast, it’s important to wait at least an hour before you brush.

When brushing teeth, it is recommended to brush for 2 minutes at a time, staying for 30 seconds in each quadrant of your mouth. Brush softly in circular motions, making sure your brush comes into contact with all surfaces of your teeth including the top and sides.

If you’re looking for a new toothbrush for the New Year, try our eco-friendly Mosobrush. With options for soft or medium bristles, as well as a number of fun colours, you’ll find the right one for your morning brushing.

After you’ve thoroughly flossed and brushed your teeth, try using an antibacterial mouthwash. Using mouthwash helps to clear those bits and pieces of toothpaste and food hidden in your mouth, cleaning your entire mouth and keeping your breath minty fresh. It’s always good to pick a flavour you like - it will make you more likely to use it. Follow the instructions on your mouthwash bottle. But generally speaking, you should pour out a capful of mouthwash and swoosh it in your mouth for around 30 seconds.

If flossing and brushing don’t wake you up, a refreshing and thorough mouthwash certainly will!

These are the basic steps of good oral hygiene. But if you want to take it a step further, some dental clinics recommend cleaning your tongue. Like how your bacteria builds up in your teeth, your tongue is no exception. Remove clingy bacteria by scraping your tongue with floss or scrubbing it with the back of your toothbrush. You can even purchase a tongue scraper from your local store or pharmacy. Even though this is not a crucial step in your busy morning, it can make a world of difference in your overall oral health.

And there you have it! A quick yet effective morning oral health routine as recommended by oral health experts online. If you’re looking for some new tools to help with your routine, why not head on over to our ‘Shop’ page and check out some handy, eco-friendly products to add to your bathroom bench? (Psst.. you’ll save more if you buy one of our bundles!)