We get it – juggling your home life and self-care routine with work can be difficult. Getting up, getting ready, bolting down a quick coffee, and grabbing that all-important breakfast can all take time – and that’s before you consider the needs of your family around you. 

Safe to say, self-care isn’t necessarily a priority first thing in the morning when you have a meeting that you don’t want to be late for. But what if we told you that your morning oral hygiene routine isn’t just for your own minty benefit, but can have an impact on the interactions you have throughout the day, as well as a lasting effect on your own health and wellbeing?

Unless you want bad breath to push colleagues away, and potential health conditions to sign you away from work for weeks at a time, it’s time to reset those morning priorities and make dental care an integral part of your morning routine.

Here’s how to do it. 

Why an effective dental care routine is so important

Dental care and oral hygiene help to keep your teeth healthy, which is crucial first and foremost for eating, drinking, and communicating normally. When you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, with regular trips to the dentist and hygienist, you ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and in good condition – identifying any potential issues early so that they can be fixed without lasting problems.

Beyond the simple desire to retain a bright and healthy smile, oral hygiene is directly linked with your overall health and wellbeing, in that it creates a barrier to prevent harmful bacteria from getting into the bloodstream. When oral hygiene falls by the wayside, your chances of developing gum disease increase – leading to inflammation and sores across the gums. Left untreated, these inflamed spots become portals through which bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause havoc throughout the rest of the body, with common conditions including heart disease and pneumonia a direct result.

Finally, from a financial and stress perspective, your dental care routine keeps your dental bills at a minimum (paying only for regular check-ups rather than expensive treatments) and helps to balance the stress of sensitive teeth and other issues. 

Five tips to make dental and oral hygiene a morning priority

Needless to say, your dental care routine forms an important part of your morning routine and your overall approach to self-care and wellbeing. But how can busy professionals readjust and reassess their morning routine so that it makes room for dental care, without adding undue strain to their day? Here are five tips to help make your dental routine easy, elevating your oral hygiene, while still ensuring you can make the morning meeting. 

1. Invest in an electric toothbrush

An electric toothbrush does all the hard work for you, and will even let you know when your two-minute session is up. 

2. Don’t forget to floss

Flossing is an important part of your morning and evening dental care routine, as it dislodges any food that may be stuck between the teeth and ensures that you start the day with a fresh and clean mouth. Floss can reach any places in your mouth that your toothbrush cannot access, and ensures that your teeth are sparkling clean before you get to work – that’s right, no more “there’s breakfast stuck in your teeth” embarrassment!

3. Clean your tongue with soft strokes

The surface of the tongue is where bacteria collects, which is why lightly brushing the surface is so important for your overall health. Not only does this remove and wash away any bacteria, but it also ensures that minty-fresh feeling as you step out the door, and keeps your breath fresh for longer. 

4. Use mouthwash for a refresh before you head out the door

If you’ve brushed your teeth but find yourself grabbing a last cup of coffee before you leave, a quick swill of mouthwash is a great way to reignite that minty-fresh feeling without spending more time brushing again.

TOP TIP: Mouthwash is a great thing to carry around in your bag for those occasions throughout the day when you want to freshen up, particularly after a coffee, before a big meeting, or after lunch. 

5. Take a bottle of water 

Finally, carrying around a bottle of water throughout the day will help to keep your mouth clean. This is particularly effective if you are concerned about stains on your teeth as a result of food and drink, as the water washes away any residual coffee or other staining ingredients to restore a clean and balanced mouth. 

And one for luck…

Did you know that exercise and physical activity can have a direct impact on your oral health and hygiene, specifically helping to fight off gum disease, and thus protecting the body from the harmful effects of bacteria? This is because, when you exercise, your blood circulation increases, which helps to promote healthy gums and tissues around the mouth, as well as improving the rest of your body. 

Whether it’s a trip to the gym after work, or a quick walk during your lunch break, getting your blood pumping during the day will help to keep your dental health in check and your overall wellbeing balanced. 

Brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening

If you already have an efficient and effective oral hygiene routine but want to elevate and brighten your smile to enhance your professional image, then why not consider professional teeth whitening. 

Using sophisticated laser technology and a potent solution that is activated by the laser, teeth whitening conducted by your dentist is not only effective with lasting results, but is also safe – ensuring that your teeth appear brighter without impacting their stability or health. 

For more information on this, and for tailored advice to improve your own dental routine, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local dentist. And finally, if nothing else, consider this the sign you need to book a hygienist appointment!