When it comes to oral hygiene, there’s a few tricks and tips that can make a world of difference, but without consistency, you can kiss goodbye your chance of a gleaming smile. Much like mold or rust, bad teeth don’t happen over night. Days, weeks, months, and even years of neglectful oral hygiene means you’re at a much higher risk of bad breath or tooth decay. To counter these effects, creating a total system for cleaning every inch of your mouth is in order. No one ever said that grooming is glamorous, but it’s not exactly rocket science either. Below, Male Standard compiled their top tips on how to take your oral hygiene to the next level, so you can rest assured your smile is red carpet ready, 24/7.

Tip 1: Invest in a Decent Toothbrush

REACH Complete Care Triple Angle Pro

If you’ve been using a generic toothbrush, or the same toothbrush for more than 12 weeks, it’s time to switch things up. All toothbrushes are breeding grounds for nasty bacteria you want to eliminate from your mouth, and should be changed habitually. We love the REACH Complete Care collection that has patented technology for a clinical clean. These affordable toothbrushes make a significant difference in your oral hygiene routine, as they reduce the risk of leaving in-tact food behind. The bristles work in tandem to clean in all directions, meaning you’ll get more through results than using a traditional toothbrush. We’ve yet to find a toothbrush that comes close to these results!

Tip 2: Pick a Dentist Approved Toothpaste

Just as choosing the right toothbrush can make a difference, moving to a dentist approved toothpaste is going to help you get that next level clean. Our top pick for everyone, but especially those with sensitive teeth, is the DR. Sharp flouride free toothpaste. This natural formula is gentle on teeth, but totally tough on yellow stains. They also have a great selection of flavors, with our favourite being the Peppermint. It’s a much softer mint flavor than most, and won’t make you gag first thing in the morning. One of the big reasons we found guys don’t brush as often as they should is few like the taste or consistency, DR. Sharp can help with that. We also saw dramatic whitening results with no side effects on the first use. Great stuff!

Tip 3: Start Flossing!

Yes, we might sound like Nagatha Cristie right now, but so few guys actually floss. If you truly want that award-winning smile, you’ll have to do more than pick at your teeth when something feels stuck, you have to floss daily. Flossing gets rid of those imminent pieces of food you thought were long gone, and stops you from suddenly finding a bite to chew on a few weeks later. By that point, the damage is already done. We love the DenTek Triple Clean Floss Picks, which give you three times the clean of other floss sticks. Ready for individual use, available in bumper packs from most drug stores, these are the perfect addition to your grooming kit. They’re also super portable and discreet, making them perfect for using in between meals.

Tip 4: Say Hello To Fresh Breath!

HELLO Breathsprays

Speaking of inbetween meals, it's time to bring back breathe fresheners. Chewing gum masks bad breath, and won't cover up the Indian takeaway you indulged in for lunch. Instead, follow up with Hello Breathsprays in your choice of flavor. One spray will give you confidence between meals, and genuinely gets rid of lingering odors. The portable sprays are sleek, and we loved the Supermint, Mojito Mint and Pink Grapefruit Mint flavors. Plus, Hello don't use any alcohol or irritants in their products, which can damage tooth enamel or irritate gums. Simply stash a few in your car or office drawer, and use as needed. These are a great product for date nights too, and will help keep lingering odors at bay.

Tip 5: Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Don't wait until you have problem to see the dentist, be proactive in your oral hygiene. Unlike bones, teeth don't magically grow back or repair themselves, you get what you're given, and you have to make them last. While some guys might complain that dentists are expensive, ranging from free clinics to a few hundred dollars per visit, it's far less costly than needing dental surgery. That can run you the cost of a small house in a nice neighbourhood. As you get older, your oral care should be at the top of your mind. Your mouth is constantly changing, and can also be an indicator of other health problems. Find a great dentist and make good on your word of visiting regularly, and we can't see you going wrong.

Do you have any tips to share? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Read the original »