“I absolutely hate the dentist!”
If I had a penny for every time I heard this at work, I’d be a billionaire. Does anyone really enjoy going to the dentist? I do everything I can to avoid going to the dentist too. So far, I’ve been successful. This is what I do to keep my mouth clean and healthy. Follow this and maybe you can avoid the dentist too!
Step 1: Floss Like a Boss
So many of you ask me, is flossing really that important? Think of it this way, skipping flossing is like taking a shower but not washing your face. Your toothbrush only cleans 60% of your teeth surfaces (these are the surfaces that are visible to us). The remaining 40% of the surfaces are in between your teeth. These surfaces are difficult to see, hence, easy to ignore.
Did you know gum disease tends to start in between your teeth? Also, one of the most common sites for tooth decay lies in between your teeth.
I floss once a day, every day. Not negotiable.
Evening time is the better time to floss.
Flossing should be done BEFORE brushing.
Step 2: Brush Like You Mean It
Does your mind wander when you brush? Do you catch yourself thinking about that important meeting or worrying about your kids when brushing? Are you brushing long enough?
I take brushing seriously. 2 minutes. Twice a day, every day. Not negotiable.
I look into the mirror when brushing so I can focus on my teeth and give them a more precise clean.
I use the Oral B IO brush on the sensitive mode with a fluoride toothpaste (Colgate total, Oral B densify, Sensodyne Pronamel) to gently clean every surface of my teeth— I start from my bottom teeth and make my way slowly towards the top teeth, making sure to clean the front teeth and the back teeth, on the outside as well as on the inside towards the tongue.
Pro tip: An electric brush with a pressure sensor and a timer will help you achieve the most efficient clean. If you’re looking for cheaper alternatives, Oral B Pro 3 is a great value for money.
Step 3: Show Your Tongue Some Love
Your tongue can harbour a lot of bacteria, which can lead to bad breath if it’s not cleaned regularly.
I clean my tongue twice a day, every day. Not negotiable.
I use a copper tongue scraper AFTER brushing to remove bacteria and excess toothpaste off my tongue.
Pro tip: You can even brush your tongue with your brush if you don’t own a tongue scraper.
Step 4: Do I rinse with water after brushing?
The simple answer is NO.
Here’s the more detailed explanation- Your toothpaste contains fluoride which strengthens enamel and protects your teeth from decay. Fluoride needs about 15-30 minutes to create a layer of protection on your teeth.. When you rinse immediately after brushing, you're removing that protective layer before it has a chance to work.
What to do instead? Spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing. Wait at least 30 minutes if you want to rinse or eat/drink something.
Step 5: See Your Dental Hygienist
Professional cleanings remove hardened plaque (tartar) you can’t get rid of at home. I’ll also check your gums and help you level up your routine with tailored advice—because every smile is different.
How often? Every 6 months, or more often if you have gum issues or braces.
You don’t need a million products to have clean and healthy teeth, just consistency and the right technique. A little effort each day adds up to big results.
So you want to avoid the dentist? All it takes is 5 minutes. Twice a day. Every day. Not negotiable. Now go floss like a boss!