At the end of a long day of work, running errands, and getting everyone to their activities on time, most moms do not feel like investing in their own oral hygiene. However, as a mom, it’s important to take care of yourself, and one way to do that is to practice good oral hygiene. So here are some practical tips even the busiest mom can incorporate into their daily self-care routine.
TIP #1: Purchase pre-threaded flossers
Gone are the days where you have to unroll a strand of floss and spend half an hour trying to contort your hand to floss. You have options, mama! You can buy a water flosser, a flossing contraption with interchangeable heads, or a bag of disposable flossers. Flossing is important for your oral health, so set yourself up with flossing tools that work with your on-the-go lifestyle.
TIP #2: Brush when your child does
If you have little ones and you tell them to go brush their teeth, it can be tempting to use that time to quickly scroll Instagram or check email. But why not use that time to brush with your child? This will not only help you remember to brush in the first place, but it will also help your kiddos see good oral hygiene in action. (Plus, since you’re brushing with them, you’ll be able to make sure your child actually uses toothpaste!)
TIP #3: Supplement brushing with other cleaning methods
There is no replacement for brushing when it comes to oral hygiene, but if you’re having trouble brushing more than once a day, there are other things you can do to aid that one, quick brush.
- Chew gum: Chewing sugar-free gum activates saliva flow and neutralizes acids, which helps prevent cavities.
- Use mouthwash: Mouthwash doesn’t get food buildup off your teeth nearly as well as brushing does, but it can minimize plaque buildup, strengthen your teeth, and prevent tooth decay.
- Drink plenty of water: Water rinses away some of the food particles that accumulate on your teeth after snacks and meals, which lessens how much debris your toothbrush has to brush away later. Water also neutralizes acids by stimulating saliva production.