When Creating Your Spring Cleaning List, Don’t Forget Your Mouth

The spring season is a natural time to refresh your surroundings, your outlook, and even your mind. That’s why “spring cleaning” is such a popular activity, both on a personal and professional level.

While we tend to make New Year’s resolutions and other annual goals in the winter, spring is a time of action: if we resolved to get more organized, improve our health, or take on any sort of home improvement projects back in January, there’s a good chance now is when most of us are really going to start buckling down and making an effort to accomplish that goal.

What else can you include in your spring cleaning?

While cleaning out the garage or decluttering the file room are guaranteed items on the spring cleaning checklist, there’s no reason why other necessary “refresh” projects shouldn’t be added during this season of activity.

For instance, what about refreshing your oral health habits? If you’re cleaning and decluttering your home and office, it’s probably at least partially so you can enjoy the stress-relieving benefits of being in less chaotic surroundings. Likewise, if you hit the reset button on your oral health practices, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re taking real, valuable steps toward looking and feeling better this year!

How to “spring clean” your mouth

Refreshing your oral health habits is a simple process, but it will take some self-discipline and perseverance, especially if your habits aren’t great right now. Here’s the 6-step process to help create a healthy and happy mouth this spring:

1. Replace your toothbrush - Most people don’t realize that toothbrushes have a recommended lifespan: about 3-4 months. Afterwhich, it should really be replaced. Doing so not only ensures you’re getting the most benefit from a brush with strong and sturdy bristles, but it also provides a new, sterile tool to keep your mouth healthy.
2. Choose a toothpaste you like - There are dozens of toothpaste brands and varieties available, and many of them are very similar. With few exceptions, they’re going to do an adequate job for most people if they meet minimum requirements set by the FDA. Depending on your personal oral health, focus on specific qualities in your chosen toothpaste, including fluoride, tartar control, whitening, or moisturizing.
3. Commit to learning how to floss (or using a flossing tool) - Like baking a cake or checking the air pressure in your car’s tires, flossing your teeth is one of those skills that might be assumed, but that many of us secretly don’t know how to properly do. Whether you use old-fashioned lengths of dental floss or one of the many available flossing tools on the market, choose something you’re prepared to use every single day.
4. Introduce yourself to the tongue scraper - This powerful tool doesn’t get nearly the media attention toothbrushes and floss do, but it can be a great help in fighting bad breath, gingivitis, and other unpleasant oral issues. Plus, nothing says “spring cleaning” like learning how to scrape your tongue clean.
5. Choose an antibacterial mouthwash you like - While rinsing with mouthwash isn’t going to effectively replace daily brushing or flossing, it provides an excellent stopgap for when you don’t have time to brush properly. Make sure you choose a brand that’s going to do your mouth some good, preferably without sweeteners or dyes.
6. Make BOTH of your annual dental appointments - This last step is like signing a brand new oral health contract with yourself. By making both of the regular dental appointments for the year (one now and one for six months from now), you’re forcing yourself to be accountable and to keep up your shiny new habits. Don’t let the cost or any other minor inconveniences keep you from following through on these visits. In fact, you can save on dental care significantly with discounts such as a dental discount card.

Are you ready to spring clean your mouth? Get started on this simple six-step process today!