Federal, state and local governments all agree that one of the keys to slowing the spread of COVID-19 is for everyone to practice social distancing. Thus, it’s best for the population to limit their trips outside the home for shopping or other activities. That means that supply management is now more important than ever before. When it comes to maintaining excellent oral health, consistently cleaning your teeth is of the utmost importance. While the last thing you should do is skimp on your dental hygiene, a family dentist in Columbia explains how to get the most out of your products.
How Much Toothpaste is Required to Clean Your Teeth?
Although commercial advertisements show users slathering toothpaste all over their toothbrushes, the reality is that it doesn’t take that much to properly clean adult teeth. You only need about a pea-sized amount of paste to effectively do the job. If you’ve been following the commercial models, making this simple change could reduce your usage by as much as two-thirds with each cleaning.
If you have children under the age of five, then they need even less – usually just a small streak. Older kids can use the same amount as adults.
How Much Floss Should You Use?
A container of floss can hold up to 122 yards of material. So with proper usage, it can go a long way. As a general rule of thumb, you should extract around 18 inches of floss to clean your teeth. Wrap one-to-two inches of material around your fore fingers to get the process started. By following this simple strategy, you can get a lot more mileage out of each container.
How Much Mouthwash Should You be Using?
While it can’t be substituted for brushing or flossing, rinsing with mouthwash provides some excellent supplemental benefits. One of the most important ones is that it rids your mouth of any lingering debris that could cause oral bacteria growth.
You can use the product two-to-three times per day (after brushing and flossing), and the typical amount should be around 20 milliliters, or two-thirds of an ounce.
The Benefits of Proper Usage
By following the above guidelines, you’ll be limiting the risk of developing COVID-19 and possibly infecting others, but you stand to gain even more:
- You’ll save time.
- You’ll spend less money.
- You can prevent any unwanted damage to your teeth and gums by overusing products.
Once the COVID-19 crisis is overcome, you’ll continue to benefit from using the right amount of oral hygiene supplies, and you can return to visiting your dentist in Columbia for the expert care you need!
About the Author Dr. Matthew Hart earned his dental degree from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry. In addition to providing his patients with a wide array of dental services, he places a huge emphasis on prevention. Thus, Dr. Hart encourages the practice of excellent dental care at home. Once the coast is clear, he’ll be available to provide the high-quality dentistry that he’s become known for at Beck Dental Care. Dr. Hart can be reached for more information through his website.