Daily Oral Hygiene: Dos and Don'ts
DO
DON'T
Brush your teeth twice a day — morning and before bed — for at least 2 minutes each time
Don't brush too hard — aggressive brushing can damage enamel and cause gum recession
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it every 3 months or when bristles fray
Don't use a hard-bristled toothbrush — soft bristles are effective and gentler on gums
Floss at least once a day to remove plaque from between teeth where your brush can't reach
Don't skip brushing before bed — bacteria multiply overnight on unbrushed teeth
Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities
Don't use your teeth as tools to open bottles, tear packets, or crack nuts
Clean your tongue daily with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush
Don't ignore bleeding gums — it's an early sign of gum disease, not 'normal'
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to wash away food particles and bacteria
Don't consume excessive sugary or acidic foods and drinks
Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots — they naturally clean teeth
Don't smoke or use tobacco — it's the leading cause of oral cancer and gum disease
Visit The Tooth Stop every 6 months for a professional cleaning and check-up
Don't wait for pain to visit the dentist — many dental problems are painless in early stages
Use a mouthwash as an addition to (not replacement for) brushing and flossing
Don't share toothbrushes — it spreads bacteria and infection
Do's — in detail
- Brush your teeth twice a day — morning and before bed — for at least 2 minutes each time
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it every 3 months or when bristles fray
- Floss at least once a day to remove plaque from between teeth where your brush can't reach
- Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities
- Clean your tongue daily with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to wash away food particles and bacteria
- Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots — they naturally clean teeth
- Visit The Tooth Stop every 6 months for a professional cleaning and check-up
- Use a mouthwash as an addition to (not replacement for) brushing and flossing
Don'ts — in detail
- Don't brush too hard — aggressive brushing can damage enamel and cause gum recession
- Don't use a hard-bristled toothbrush — soft bristles are effective and gentler on gums
- Don't skip brushing before bed — bacteria multiply overnight on unbrushed teeth
- Don't use your teeth as tools to open bottles, tear packets, or crack nuts
- Don't ignore bleeding gums — it's an early sign of gum disease, not 'normal'
- Don't consume excessive sugary or acidic foods and drinks
- Don't smoke or use tobacco — it's the leading cause of oral cancer and gum disease
- Don't wait for pain to visit the dentist — many dental problems are painless in early stages
- Don't share toothbrushes — it spreads bacteria and infection
Good to Know
- It takes about 24 hours for plaque to start hardening into tartar, which can only be removed by a dentist. Daily brushing and flossing prevents this.
- The bacteria in your mouth can affect your overall health. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and respiratory issues.
- Prevention is always more affordable than treatment. Regular check-ups at The Tooth Stop help catch problems early when they're easiest and cheapest to fix.
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Browse All ResourcesShared by Dr. P Meghana, MDS - Orthodontics
The Tooth Stop · BTM Layout, Bangalore · +91 8618 910 357