More mothers are joining the workforce and it’s difficult to strike a balance between profession and parenthood. And in the process, you’re probably forgetting to invest time in yourself. Good dental health is essential to fight tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Read on to learn about quick and easy dental care tips for moms.
Here Are the 8 Dental Care Tips for Busy Moms
Give Yourself a Head start
Give yourself a head start by waking up fifteen minutes to half an hour before your child does. This gives you plenty of time to brush and floss your teeth well without being interrupted. Practice the same at night and take about five minutes to brush and floss again.
Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles or if the bristles are frayed, buy yourself a set of three new toothbrushes so that you save yourself some time from heading out repeatedly. End your daily oral care routine with a mouthwash to drive bacteria and plaque out of your mouth.
Disinfect Before Every Cleaning
Your toothbrush accumulates dirt and bacteria over time. And with the busy schedule, inspecting your toothbrush for dirt is probably the last thing on your mind. But here’s a simple trick.
Purchase an Isopropyl bottle which is easily available at drug stores. Buy a few extra bottles of alcohol to refill when necessary. Spray your toothbrush bristles with some alcohol and let the bristles dry out. You could also spray them and head for a shower. This way they’ll air out by the time you’re out.
This practice ensures that the bacteria living in your bristles are killed before it comes into contact with your teeth. Practice the same with your kids’ toothbrushes. They may not initially like it, but if you create a routine, they’ll learn to be accountable for their oral health.
Use a Straw
Consuming carbonated drinks and beverages high in sugar and acids have the potential to damage your front teeth. By using a straw, you’re less likely to damage your teeth. Metal straws are a great option since you can re-use them and keep them with you wherever you travel to.
Drink Plenty of Water
You’ve probably heard this a thousand times. But drinking plenty of water is not just great for your overall health, but it’s also important for good dental health. Busy moms should definitely be more conscious of this habit.
If you’re traveling to work, carry at least a two-liter bottle with you and make sure you drink up throughout the day. Start your morning with at least one glass of water before your morning coffee. Staying hydrated ensures that your mouth produces plenty of saliva that is essential to drive out bacteria. Whether it’s a green tea or infused water, stay hydrated to keep your mouth clean.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum is another silent samurai that increases the saliva production while driving out bacteria from your mouth. What’s more, it also helps to remove food particles stuck in between and behind your teeth.
Dentists strongly recommend chewing sugar-free gum for a healthy mouth. Busy moms should definitely put this into practice while you’re tucking your child to bed or when you’re driving to work.
Rinse Your Mouth if You Have Early Gum Disease
If you have inflamed gums, it’s advised that you rinse your mouth twice a day using an antiseptic mouthwash. Select a mouthwash that doesn’t have added whitening products. They can particularly harmful to your teeth when used daily. Swish the mouthwash for a good thirty seconds. While most moms may find it hard because of the alcohol content, it’s best that you try to eliminate as much bacteria from your mouth to control the inflammation.
Rest well and Stay Relaxed
A busy mom’s schedule is usually the kind where you’re juggling a full-time job with a family. And it can be extremely stressful both on your mind and body. But don’t let it take a toll on you. A busy and tiring schedule usually leads to stress on your oral health. And the best way to eliminate these negative effects is to get plenty of rest and stay relaxed. Avoid watching TV shows and movies on weeknights and keep it for the weekend instead. Try to take a short nap at work and try to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
Visit the Dentist
It’s important for busy moms to take some time out of their schedule to visit the dentist on a regular basis. A dentist will give you a clear picture of your dental health and suggest tips that you can take up to maintain a healthy mouth. If it’s a toothache or a treatment you require, don’t delay it too much. It’s also important for moms to get a regular professional cleaning of the mouth to remove tartar and stains that you can’t easily remove at home.
Busy moms need to remember that a stressful schedule doesn’t mean you avoid a good dental routine. Practice good oral hygiene at home and encourage your kids to start the same. Make sure you also visit the dentist to check for symptoms of poor teeth and gums.
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