5 minutes may sound too good to be true- but investing this time will show you a marked difference in your oral health now and that after you start practising this 5-minute oral care routine. There is a prescribed amount of time that each dental hygiene tool must be used for it to be effective. Read on to know what good oral health routine requires- and how long it takes. 

Brushing your teeth- Easy Does it! 

According to dental public health studies, most people brush their teeth for 45 seconds only! This is not nearly enough time to properly clean all your teeth. The Indian Dental Association (IDA) recommends that you brush your teeth for at least two minutes provided you are using the right technique to brush your teeth.

Plaque or tartar takes 24 hours to build upon your teeth. Brushing twice a day disturbs the build-up of plaque and keeps you in the pink of oral health! Brushing more than 3 times a day is harmful to your oral health- it results in your enamel, the outer layer of your teeth, being stripped away.

Flossing- Most overlooked, most important

 Flossing is an important step in your oral care routine. You should try to never miss it. Flossing removes all the food particles and debris stuck in between your teeth and gums. These are places that your toothbrush may not be able to reach. This helps disrupt plaque build-up between your teeth that would otherwise cause cavities or gum disease. 

You should floss for at least two minutes daily. Make sure you reach between all your teeth. There’s no such thing as too much flossing- as long as you’re using the right technique.

Tongue Cleaning- No more bad smells! 

If you have a problem bad mouth odour problem, it could be because you’re not cleaning your tongue enough. A range of oral care products exist to clean your tongue. You can buy specialised tongue cleaners that can scrape your tongue clean in less than 30 seconds. It’s that easy to stay up to date on your oral care! 

Mouthwash – A quick rinse and you’re good to go

People will occasionally skip mouthwash once they’ve brushed their teeth. However, mouthwash is an important step in an oral health routine. Mouthwashes exist in all forms- alcoholic to help kill bacteria, non-alcoholic for everyday use, fluoride mouthwashes or specialised mouthwashes for people who suffer from dry mouth. Consider what problem you’re addressing when you choose your mouthwash for your oral care routine.

Rinse with your mouthwash for at least 30 seconds. Do this around 10-15 minutes after brushing or you risk impeding the effects of your toothpaste. 

These four steps that you can finish in five minutes are all that it takes to get the perfect oral health. Instead of having to google “how to cure gum disease without a dentist”- be proactive and try this advice! A healthy mouth is the first step to a healthy body. Make sure you don’t miss it! 

 Highlights

•  Start your oral care routine by brushing for 2 minutes at least. 
•  Never brush more than 3 times a day- or less than twice a day! 
•  Flossing is an extremely overlooked step in oral health routines- but very important! 
•  Cleaning your tongue helps you get rid of bad smells. 
•  Using mouthwash every day can clinch your victory and get you the best oral health.