Small Swaps, Big Oral Health Benefits
Most of us brush on autopilot. Toothbrush in one hand, phone in the other, somebody yelling from the hallway about a missing shoe. We get it. That's why these tips focus on small swaps you can make tonight that will have a huge positive effect on your oral health.
Is Your Toothbrush Helping or Hurting Your Routine?
The American Dental Association's advice is simple: brush for two minutes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and replace it every three to four months (or sooner, if the bristles look matted or frayed. ada). Let's break down the specifics of why.
Tip 1. Switch to a soft bamboo brush with silver bristles
Bristle firmness matters more than most people think. According to the ADA, firm or even medium bristles can damage your gums and enamel. mouthhealthy
Our Bamboo Toothbrush keeps things gentle, with nano silver infused bristles that carry antibacterial properties of their own. The handle is bamboo, which is stronger and harder than traditional wood, and angled 15 degrees to reach your gumline. And the bamboo we use is an invasive species, so harvesting it helps the land instead of hurting it. If you don't believe us, we'll let our customers speak for themselves. Kathleen is here to back us up after getting a four-pack.
"I like these because they are very easy on the gums, and the silver gives extra protection from bacteria!"
Kathleen M., verified review, Silver Bristle Bamboo Toothbrush 4-Pack
Tip 2. Brush Maintenence is a Real Thing
Most people don't realize that old brushes have a point when they actually stop working. The effectiveness of a brush drops as its bristles wear down, so swap yours every three months. Even better- if you have our Nano Silver Bamboo Toothbrush, you can get rid of it in a way that actually helps the planet. When it's done, bury the bamboo handle vertically in your garden. It breaks down in 3 to 6 months. ada
Is Your Brushing Technique Wrong?
Most people don't actually know the how-to formula of how to brush. So let's give you a refresher. The short answer is that you need to brush for two full minutes with light pressure, holding your brush against your teeth at a 45-degree angle and move it back and forth gently in short strokes. ada. Why's that important? Let's explain.
Tip 3. Go slow, go soft, go the full two minutes
If you're not great at brushing, you're not alone. Most of the population comes up short in the brushing department. A study in the Journal of Dental Hygiene noted that the average brushing time in the general population is closer to 45 seconds, and found that brushing for 120 seconds removed 26% more plaque than brushing for 45 seconds. nihnih
So play a song. Set a timer. Let the kids pick the playlist.
The second part of this tip you might not expect, but here it is. You've gotta ease up on the pressure. The ADA says not to scrub vigorously, only hard enough to clean the film off your teeth. Picking a toothpaste you actually like helps more than you'd think: mouthhealthy Allen sure thought so, so much that he let us know in his review!
"Coral toothpaste tastes so good you tend to brush longer"
Allen P., verified review, Bamboo Toothbrush
Tip 4. Rinse your brush, stand it up, and let it breathe
Where your brush lives between uses matters. The ADA recommends you store toothbrushes upright and let them air dry, since keeping a moist toothbrush in a closed container encourages more microbial growth than leaving it in the open air. Rinse off leftover toothpaste, stand it bristles-up, and skip the travel cap at home. ada
Make Your Floss Do More
We won't beat around the bush. You're probably flossing wrong. Let's break down exactly why.
Tip 5. Floss first, every time
You might not know it, but flossing first is key. A 2018 study in the Journal of Periodontology had 25 participants try both orders, and plaque between the teeth and across the mouth was significantly reduced when they flossed first. perio
Brushing alone leaves a big gap. According to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, brushing reaches only about 60% of your tooth surfaces, so skipping floss leaves the other 40% uncleaned. Flossing loosens bacteria and debris from between teeth, and brushing afterward clears those particles out of your mouth. uiowaperio
Tip 6. Pick a floss you'll actually reach for
At the end of the day, the best floss is the one that doesn't sit in a drawer. And when a floss has gum-easing flavor, whitening charcoal, and natural bamboo fibers, it becomes pretty easy to remember to use. Our Bamboo Charcoal Mint Floss is made from biodegradable bamboo fiber and bamboo-derived activated charcoal, and flavored with real peppermint oil. It comes on a 100 ft spool and skips SLS, glycerin, parabens, gluten, fluoride, and artificial flavors. If you really want to know if it works, don't take it from us. Take it from someone who's actually tried it - take it from Terri!
"Love how easy it moves through my teeth and the charcoal is definitely a plus!"
Terri O., verified review, Bamboo Charcoal Mint Floss
Building your routine from scratch?
Our Mouth Spray, Bamboo Mint Floss, and Bamboo Toothbrushes Bundle puts the brush, the floss, and the spray from this list in one box.
What Causes Bad Breath, and How Do You Stop It?
Fixing a problem works best when you get it at the root. So we started there. Most bad breath starts on your tongue. Periodontal researchers call it a well-established fact that tongue coating is the primary source of oral malodor. dentaltown
Tip 7. Scrape your tongue every morning
Did you know that the reason you have bad breath is something that you can see? That white coating you see in the mirror is the culprit. Odor compounds build up on your tongue overnight, which is why breath is usually worst in the morning. menshealth
A Tongue Scraper lifts that coating off. One study found that two weeks of tongue cleaning significantly decreased tongue coating, and taste sensation improved, especially with the scraper. Yes, that's right. Using a mouth scraper can even help you taste better. Your morning coffee will thank you. nih
Ours is made of a 430 stainless steel with an extra-wide head, so you cover more surface in fewer passes. Start at the back and pull forward, since a scraper's flat design lets it carry more bacteria out of your mouth. Rinse and repeat, then reap the benefits. menshealth
Tip 8. Keep a mouth spray in your bag
Brushing handles mornings and nights. The hours in between are where breath goes sideways. Luckily, we already thought of that. Our Nano Silver Mouth Spray uses SilverSol to fight odor-causing bacteria and adds coral trace minerals. No water or brushing needed.
It's safe to swallow, so kids can use it too.
"Love this spray! My daughter keeps a bottle in her backpack at school. I keep one in my purse for refreshing my mouth on the go."
Jennifer D., verified review, Nano Silver Mint Mouth Spray
The bottle is refillable and pairs with Coral Foaming Toothpaste for easy refills, so you keep more money in your pocket and put less plastic in the environment. It's small enough to fit in your pocket and effective enough to really make a difference.
Does Timing Really Matter?
You'd think that brushing your teeth didn't really matter when you did it. However, that's not the case. While the most important thing is that you actually brush your teeth, timing is more important than you'd think. So let's get into why.
Tip 9. Give coffee, citrus, and soda an hour
Little-known fact? What you eat actually affects when you should brush your teeth! A quick rule of thumb is to wait about an hour after anything acidic. The ADA advises that you wait at least one hour, because acids soften enamel and your saliva needs time to rinse them away and help it re-harden. ada Brushing right after your breakfast feels responsible. But it's a bad idea. Brushing before enamel re-hardens can damage it. In the meantime, drink water or chew sugar-free gum. adahealthline
Tip 10. Brush before bed, and snack smarter during the day
Nighttime is when your mouth is most on its own. Saliva production drops while you sleep, and saliva is what balances your mouth's pH and protects teeth from decay-causing bacteria. Brushing before bed lowers the risk of cavities and bad breath. ugm
During the day, xylitol is your friend. The bacteria behind cavities can't metabolize xylitol, which keeps them from making the acids that cause decay. And habitual xylitol use has been linked to lower plaque levels. Our toothpaste and mouth spray both carry it. apachenih
What Does a More Effective Oral Care Routine Look Like?
A more effective oral care routine comes down to small changes that stack up. Start your morning by scraping your tongue, then floss before you brush so your toothbrush can clear out everything the floss loosened. Brush for a full two minutes with a soft brush, gently, and stand it up to dry when you're done. Give your enamel an hour after coffee or orange juice before you brush. Keep a mouth spray in your bag for the hours in between, and make brushing the very last thing you do before bed. Swap your brush every three months. That's it. None of it takes more than a few extra minutes, and you don't have to start everything at once. Pick one tip this week and add another next week. Our position is simple: a better routine doesn't come from more time at the sink, it comes from better tools you actually enjoy using, in the right order. Your whole family deserves that.
Ready to upgrade the whole crew?
The Nano Silver Family Bundle covers everyone in one order.