Spring is the season of fresh starts. We clean out the wardrobe, open the windows, swap heavy meals for lighter ones — and yet most of us never think to give our oral health the same kind of seasonal reset. At Dream Smiles Dental, April and May are some of our busiest months for hygiene appointments, and there’s a good reason for that. A few small changes now can save you a lot of time, money and discomfort later in the year.
Here are five things we recommend to every patient walking through our doors this spring.
1. Replace your toothbrush (yes, really). The British Dental Association recommends a new brush head every three months, but most of us stretch it to six or more. A frayed brush cleans up to 30% less effectively. If you can’t remember when you last changed it, that’s your answer.
2. Book an overdue hygiene visit. Plaque hardens into tartar within 24 to 72 hours, and once it’s there, no amount of brushing will remove it. A professional scale and polish takes 30 minutes and resets the clock on gum disease.
3. Rethink your morning coffee habit. Coffee, tea and red wine are the three biggest culprits behind surface staining. Try drinking water alongside your coffee and rinse your mouth afterwards — you’ll notice a difference within weeks.
4. Audit your toothpaste. If your toothpaste doesn’t contain at least 1,350 ppm fluoride, it isn’t doing enough. Children under three need 1,000 ppm; everyone else should be using a stronger formula.
5. Floss before you brush, not after. Flossing first dislodges debris so that fluoride from your toothpaste can reach the gaps between your teeth. It’s a tiny change with a measurable impact on cavity prevention.
Ready for your spring reset? Book a hygiene appointment with our team today and start the season with a smile you’re proud of.