05/21/2026
4 habits for a healthy mouth
1-Replace toothbrush head regularly (every 1-3 months), when showing signs of wear, or after you have been sick. Set yourself a calendar reminder to make it easy!
2-Stay hydrated with water! Saliva protects your teeth from cavities and plaque. Sipping on water throughout the day helps immensely. If you are drinking beverages other than water such as coffee, tea, and soda try to pair them with meals or finish within 15 minutes and rinse with water between sips or at the very least when you are done!
3-Breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Our bodies are built for nasal breathing. When we breathe through our mouths, we dry out our mouths, open ourselves to bacteria by skipping our filtration system (our nose), and increase the likelihood of gum issues and bad breath. Also, mouth breathing contributes to weak facial structure and many other problems. If you have difficulty breathing through your nose and you don’t currently have a cold or allergies, you could have an issue with your airway potentially including a tongue tie. Mention at your next dental appointment and Dr. Huffman can determine if a tongue tie may be a contributing factor.
4-Floss your teeth! Not only does flossing removed food trapped between your teeth, but it also more importantly disturbs the plaque (bacterial film) below the gumline that will harden into tartar if not removed. Plaque and tartar cause bad breath and lead to periodontal issues that are unpleasant and costly if not treated promptly.
