From early childhood, the merits of a daily oral hygiene routine are so thoroughly ingrained in our minds that, for most of us, they’ve practically become second nature. However, while brushing and flossing remain the major pillars of this practice, few people are aware that there are many additional ways to supplement these standard steps. Read on to learn about eight oral hygiene hacks for a healthier mouth.

1. Rinse with water immediately following a meal. When food particles remain in the mouth, oral bacteria acts upon them to produce acids, which is the root cause of problems like cavities and gum disease. Rinsing with water directly after eating will help remove food residue and prevent bacterial growth. Read more

Most people are aware of the critical importance of dental hygiene, but what isn’t so well-known is the danger of overdoing it. While routine brushing and flossing are crucial for maintaining dental health, brushing too vigorously and too often can actually harm your teeth and gums.

Whether you brush too fast, too hard or too often, over-brushing can lead to several adverse effects, including enamel abrasion, which is when a tooth’s protective enamel layer breaks down. Read more

Gum recession is a unique condition in the realm of oral health. Since there’s no associated pain or irritation, it can progress gradually over time without being noticed. Also, unlike issues such as cavities and misaligned teeth, there’s no simple way to reverse the effects of gum recession. While missing gum tissue can be restored through a surgical procedure, a technique for naturally regenerating tissue has yet to be discovered.

Due to its subtle yet permanent nature, it’s crucial to take preventative steps against the various factors that contribute to gum recession. Read more

Everyone knows flossing is an important part of dental hygiene, but many people are confused about what type of floss to use. The sheer amount of options can be overwhelming, which is why it’s a good idea to have some basic knowledge before making a decision.

Fundamentally, there are two types of dental floss: nylon and monofilament. While nylon has been the standard dental floss for some time, monofilament floss is a more recent technology that consists of rubber, plastic or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Both nylon and monofilament flosses are available as waxed or un-waxed and come in a variety of flavors. Read more

If you have health insurance, you may not pay much attention to how much different medical procedures cost. But if you don’t have insurance or use out-of-network doctors, you have a right to know the cost of certain procedures ahead of time. That way, you can avoid getting stuck with an unexpected bill or even negotiate a better price from the provider.

The nonprofit group Fair Health has a feature on its website that lets you find estimates of the average prices charged for medical and dental procedures in your area. I just looked up the cost of a physical therapy evaluation for my particular zip code. The chart showed the estimated charge, Read more