Whether you’re a parent trying to ensure your child maintains their pearly whites or a college student balancing classes, activities, and social life, dental care should not take a backseat. Greene Street Dental’s dentists in Lower Manhattan provide quick tips to help you maintain oral hygiene amidst the hustle and bustle.
#1: Routine, Routine, Routine
Having an established set of steps to follow each day means exerting less mental energy to maintain dental health. This comes in handy when extracurriculars bog down your schedule or midterms roll around.
Tips: Our dentists in Lower Manhattan recommend playing a two-minute song or setting a timer while watching TikToks and reels to make brushing more fun. If flossing seems daunting, consider using floss picks for easier handling.
#2: Don’t Avoid Foods—Swap Them
Diet affects dental health. As the American Dental Association (ADA) explains, sugar and plaque work together to create acids that eat away at teeth. However, strict avoidance of certain foods rarely works, especially if you or your child is surrounded by temptation at school. Instead, find a middle ground.
Tips: Meal prep healthier snacks in individual bags for when cravings hit. Instead of all-or-nothing thinking, our dentists in Lower Manhattan encourage compromises, like pairing that burger for lunch with a salad or fruit cup instead of fries and water instead of soda.
#3: Clean the Slate after Cleaning Your Plate
Take a few moments to care for your teeth after each meal, rinsing with water or mouthwash and using dental flossers can remove food particles. Left to linger, they can cause halitosis and even gum disease that require attention from Greene Street Dental’s Lower Manhattan dentists.
Tips: Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help increase saliva flow, which neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in your mouth, according to the ADA. Keep sugar-free gum in a locker or bag for a quick and easy post-meal refresh.
#4: Know Your Child or Yourself
Identify your or your family’s dental care challenges, especially during the busy school year, and find creative solutions to overcome them. Realism, not idealism, makes it easier to stick to your routine. Our dentists in Lower Manhattan can also help with practical solutions for your individual needs.
Tips: If traditional flossing isn’t for you or your child, invest in a water pick. If staying hydrated is difficult, make it fun by using fancy water bottles or setting hydration goals. Gamify dental hygiene and health when necessary.
#5: Visit for Teeth Tune-Ups
You should aim to visit our dentists in Lower Manhattan biannually for dental checkups and tooth cleanings—that’s just two days out of the year. Regular care helps catch issues before they derail your or your child’s academic and social plans.
Tips: For peace of mind, you can schedule ahead of time with Greene Street Dental. Use a calendar app to block off the time before the school year gets busy, or plan your visits around school breaks. Set reminders for your appointments so you never let them slip through the cracks.
Team Up with Our Lower Manhattan Dentists
Instead of aiming for perfection in your routine, focus on practical steps that fit seamlessly into your busy school year. Embrace the right tools, and don’t hesitate to tailor your care with methods that work best for you. The key is consistency, not perfection. Our dentists in Lower Manhattan can help you create achievable goals, so make an appointment with Greene Street Dental today.
