Most people brush in the morning and then again just before bedtime. But what happens at lunch time when you are at work? Statistics show the majority of Americans are neglecting daytime dental care even when they spend about 35% or more of every weekday at work.
Many of us eat lunch on the go while at work. This leads to poor choices whether it be sugary soft drinks or a meal loaded with carbohydrates. These meals and snacks contribute a lot of food debris and plaque, which can significantly increase the chance of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Brushing and flossing after lunch can definitely reduce the food debris and plaque build up, creating a healthier environment.
Recent survey’s by the Academy of General Dentistry found that only 14 % of us brush every day while at work. The survey also found that having an extra tooth brush at the office increases your chances of brushing at work by about 65 %.
Tips To Maintain Dental Hygiene At Work
-Post a Reminder. Sticky post-it notes can be a great way to remind yourself to brush your teeth after lunch. Place a note on your desk or computer reminding you to brush and floss.
-Brush Immediately after Lunch. Make it a habit to brush and floss immediately following lunch. The reason is once you go back to work you get lost in the rest of the day and you will forget to do it.
-Travel Container. Store your tooth brush in your desk or office in some type of travel container container to keep it clean. Also, make sure you dry your tooth brush after each use.
-Replace work tooth brush often. Replace your office toothbrush more often than your toothbrush at home to avoid bacteria buildup, and always change your toothbrush after an illness.
-Colgate Wisp Max on-the-go. A full size tooth brush is the way to go if possible but these work well, and are quite small to fit in any desk.
-Travel Container. There are various types of these on the market to make it easy to store your brush at work. A good choice is the standing toothbrush holder with microbahn, which can be found at the container store. Plastics infused with microbahn inhibit the growth of odor and stain causing bacteria.
-Reach Access Flosser. These make it easy to floss after lunch. They come in a convenient package that can be thrown away after each use. No need to spool out a long piece of floss. You can literally floss your entire mouth in under 15 seconds with flossers.
-Listerine Strips or Closys spray to eliminate bad breath. These can be used following lunch and before a big meeting to give you confidence and avoid that embarrassing bad breath.
–Periogen. An easy way to keep our mouth clean after a meal. Periogen powder is added to water to make an oral tartar dissolving rinse that can be used as a rinse following a meal. The periogen will help keep tartar, plaque, and stain from forming on your teeth between professional cleanings.
–Xylitol gum. If you can do nothing else, at least chew gum. It will help remove some sticky debris, freshen breath, and stimulate saliva flow to neutralize bacteria.
Conclusion
Anyone in the business world knows how important appearances are to getting ahead. Studies have shown that one of the least attractive traits of co workers is bad breath. Do not let yourself be that person at work. Brush, floss, and rinse following lunch at work and you will have a happier, healthier smile to impress your boss and clients. As always visit your dentist regularly for dental examinations and professional cleanings to ensure your smile lasts a lifetime.
