Tips for Protecting Your Dental Health at Work

Like most people, you are probably aware that most dentists recommend brushing your teeth two or three times each day. For many Americans, that means brushing after every meal, or at least once in the morning and once at night. Working Americans often face even more challenges as they try to care for their teeth, however, as many find themselves racing to get to work in the morning, a situation that can mean that they may only brush once a day when they get home. Obviously, that’s a recipe for oral health problems. If you find yourself struggling to properly care for your teeth, you may just need some tips for protecting your dental health at work too.

Defining Proper Care

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends a twice-daily regimen of two-minute brushing sessions every day to keep teeth healthy and bright. In citing a 2014 survey conducted by Delta Dental, the ADA noted that about 70% of all Americans report that they brush their teeth twice each day. Unfortunately, that means that roughly thirty percent of Americans are not meeting that minimum recommended standard for effective oral health maintenance. By learning to take better care of your teeth while you’re at work, you can help to supplement your brushing and flossing regimen. Here’s how:

• Avoid candy and other snacks as much as possible. Look, we all know that some jobs lend themselves to periodic snacking throughout the day. Many office environments are filled with opportunities to indulge in various cakes, donuts, or other snacks brought by co-workers. Sadly, however, giving in to those urges can leave you sitting or moving about at work with harmful sugars on your teeth and gums for hours on end.
• Keep a tooth brush at work, and use it. Chances are that you probably have known at least one or two people who brush their teeth at work. It may have even seemed odd to you, especially if you are accustomed to leaving your entire oral hygiene program at home in your bathroom. However, there can be many benefits to brushing on the job site – though you probably don’t want to do it while sitting at your desk.
• Just have a small travel case with a brush, some toothpaste, and maybe even some mouthwash, and take it to the restroom with you about a half hour after you eat lunch. That half hour delay is to give your saliva time to completely neutralize any acidity left by the food you ate.
• If you work in sales or other jobs where you regularly come into close contact with co-workers or customers, mouthwash can be a must. Try the antiseptic variety so that you actually kill the bacteria that affect your breath. Your clients will thank you.

At Ebenezer Dental, we know how difficult it can sometimes be to maintain good oral hygiene throughout any work day. However, sound planning and a focused effort on dental care even during working hours can be a great way to ensure that you meet your daily brushing requirements. If you would like to learn more about how the best dental service in Midtown Manhattan can help you to improve your oral health care regimen, contact us today.