There are a lot of things that might make your shower time unique. Perhaps you belt out your favorite tunes in the shower, spend a little time creating interesting sculptures with your hair as you shampoo, or maybe you … brush your teeth in there! If so, did you know that it’s important you’re taking your method to cleansing your teeth and gums in this environment somewhat seriously? Just to make sure you’re abiding by important dental hygiene guidelines for optimal oral health, we’d like to take you through a quick review.
Don’t Leave The Toothbrush In There!
You really don’t want to store your toothbrush in the warm, wet, sticky shower. Why not, you wonder? Isn’t it a good place to keep it, since you complete the brushing part of your dental hygiene in there at least once a day? Well … nope. If you remember a thing or two about proper toothbrush storage, you want to keep away from dark, moist environments. The bristles need to air out after use. So, take it out and place it bristles-up in a cup or holder on your countertop.
Don’t Rush Your Session
Since you want to conserve water and you need to shampoo, conditioner your hair, soap up, and possibly more, you might feel short on time (and end up accidentally rushing your dental hygiene session). This is no good! You need to spend about two minutes brushing. So, if you’re going to brush in the shower, make sure you’re not cutting your session short.
Don’t Forget Your Toothpaste
Don’t forget to bring your toothpaste into the shower, too. Sticking to water because you keep forgetting about your paste means you’re not getting the full benefit of your brushing session (which should include fluoride). Get in the habit of taking everything you need in with you or simply brush at your sink instead.
Remember To Ask Your Questions About Brushing
Even if you feel a little embarrassed, remember that it’s always better to ask us your questions about your smile during your checkups, so we can help protect your oral health. Find out if you’re making good choices by scheduling a visit with your Ankeny, IA dentist today! Contact Peddicord Family Dentistry to set up an appointment by calling 515-963-3339.