Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DoMoreForYourWholeMouth #ColgatePartner #CollectiveBias ad

As a teenager I didn’t always take care of my teeth, and it resulted in cavities, pain, and a lot of extra dental work (not to mention, some high dental bills).  Like a lot of people, once I became an adult dental hygiene became a priority to me, and now I’m a mom this is even more true! Not only do I want to work harder to avoid those extra dental procedure, but I wish to set a good example for my son.  Today I’m going to share some tips for a good daily oral hygiene routine, which includes using Colgate Total^SF Advanced Whitening Toothpaste.

Hover over the above image to shop for great products for your oral health.

Brushing Properly

Obviously it is very important to brush your teeth twice a day.  I generally brush my teeth in the morning and right before bedtime, but if you can brush immediately after meals or after eating sweet or acidic foods that is a good idea.

You should also be sure you are brushing all areas of your mouth, including the front and back of teeth, along your gum line, the inside of your cheeks, and tongue.

It is also important that you brush for 2 minutes each time you brush.  Try looking at the clock when you start or finish.

Other Brushing Tips

You can also hum a tune or sing a song in your head to keep time and to help the time pass as you brush.  I do this a lot!  And it is very helpful.  I also sing when I’m brushing my son’s teeth; it entertains him and ensures that I brush his teeth for a proper amount of time.  (For him, we usually sing, “This is the way we brush our teeth.” But for myself any tune will do.)

Speaking of kids, I also make it a point to brush once a day with an “audience.”  My son is like my shadow, and he thinks it is funny to see Mommy brush her teeth, so in the mornings he’s usually there to watch.  It is a great way for me to set a good example and it keeps me on task.

Choosing the Right Toothpaste

I’ve always loved the Colgate brand, and I am very excited about new Colgate Total^SF.  It contains stannous fluoride as a new ingredient for a whole mouth clean, protecting your teeth, tongue, cheeks, and gums. The formula helps prevent plaque, gingivitis, bad breath and tartar build-up, and it has several important benefits that I look for in a toothpaste:

• Sensitivity relief
• Enamel protection
• Breath freshening
• Whitening
• Fights Tartar
• Cavity prevention
• Helps Prevent Plaque
• Protection against Gingivitis

I’m especially happy about the benefits for sensitivity, enamel and breath.  I deal with teeth sensitivity on an almost daily basis, so this is a MUST HAVE feature. Since I’m concerned with cavities and tooth loss, enamel protection is also very important.  And who doesn’t want to have fresh breath?

Colgate Total^SF is a great product, and I’d definitely recommend it to you.

You can pick up Colgate Total^SF in the dental hygiene aisle at your local Walmart.  Right now there’s also a great Ibotta offer for the product.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Every dentist I have ever had has recommended a soft bristle toothbrush.  I personally love Colgate soft bristle toothbrushes. I’ve bought them for years, usually in a pack of 4.  They have a sleek and simple design. They have bright colors. And most importantly, I love the style and feel of the bristles.

Flossing

Flossing is also extremely important.  Tooth sensitivity often kept me from flossing properly, but now I use easy-glide or easy-slide floss, and that makes flossing way less painful!  I also have a water flosser, which is a great thing and something I recommend.

Mouthwash

Rinsing with a good mouthwash after brushing is also important for getting that “whole mouth clean.”  My own dentist has also recommended that I dip my toothbrush in mouthwash and brush it along my gum line for extra protection against gingivitis.

Drink Water

Drinking water is also important to your dental and overall health.  I don’t drink very fast, so I like to buy the little 10 ounce bottles.  I can grab one of these and drink them relatively quickly, whereas I tend to sip on the bigger bottles longer and end up not drinking as much. (I guess it’s a mental thing for me.  I just have more success when drinking out of the smaller bottles.)

Our baby’s doctor also recommended to me that we drink more tap water, as it contains fluoride, another great thing for teeth.  I like to throw ice into a pretty straw cup and fill that with water. Something about having a nice looking cup just makes it more enjoyable, I think.

As always I welcome your thoughts.  If you have any great oral hygiene tips, I’d love for you to share them in the comments.

I also invite you to check out Colgate Total^SF Advanced Whitening Toothpaste for yourself.