Usually right before a dental appointment, people will spend extra time on their teeth, brushing and flossing before heading out the door.
People realize they cannot erase the tartar build-up and bad habits of the last six months, but they still feel like they have to take a last chance measure just in case.
If they had focused on good oral health throughout the year, that last chance attempt to make their teeth clean would not matter at all.
It is important to visit a dentist twice a year and if you have any serious issues, a dental professional will be able to help you.
However, you also need to take responsibility for your own dental health and care for your teeth when you are not having them professionally serviced.
There are a number of things you can do at home to improve your dental health and most of them take little more than five minutes each day.
In the long run, these measures can save you a lot of money, pain and time because your mouth is healthy before you even have your teeth professionally cleaned.
The most important thing you can do for your oral health is to brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally, following every time you eat.
This helps your breath stay fresh and keeps food from getting stuck between your teeth.
The bacteria that build up in your mouth overnight and throughout the day can be flushed away with a five minute brushing.
Those who want to lose weight also benefit from brushing their teeth throughout the day.
The next time you have the munchies and feel like you are grabbing too many snacks, take a few minutes to brush your teeth.
The clean, minty taste will help you avoid cravings.
Flossing is just as important as brushing when it comes to good oral health.
Brushing may not be able to get down in between your teeth, so if you floss, you can push out particles of food that get stuck.
Flossing prevents plaque build-up between teeth and makes your gums healthier.
Flossing too hard can damage your gums, so speak to your dental hygienist about how best to floss.
He or she will be more than happy to give you a flossing demonstration.
Many people remember to brush their tongue when brushing their teeth, but if you have a tongue scraper; it can complete a more thorough job.
Having the special tool also helps you to remember to focus on your tongue when brushing.
You will notice a significant change in the freshness of your breath after scraping your tongue.
A final concern for many people when it comes to dental health is the appearance of their teeth.
Healthy teeth are strong and white, and a lot of people go to great lengths to brighten their smiles.
If you have healthy teeth but you want them to look better, speak with your dental professional about whitening procedures that can whiten and brighten your smile.