- Brush twice a day for 2 minutes — an electric toothbrush like Sonicare gets better results
- Flossing once a day cleans 30% of tooth surfaces that brushing misses entirely
- Sticky candy is the worst offender — it sits in grooves and causes cavities faster than anything else
- Limit sugary and acidic drinks to mealtimes only
Good home care is the foundation of good dental health. The habits you build now protect the investment you've made in your teeth — and the best part is, they're simple. Here's how to keep your smile healthy between visits.
Brushing
Brush twice a day for two minutes — once in the morning and once before bed. We recommend an electric toothbrush, like a Sonicare, for the best results. If you wear braces, a water flosser (like a Waterpik) plus a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste is often a great combo. And don't stop at your teeth! Give your tongue, gums, palate, and other soft tissues a gentle brush too, for the freshest breath possible.
Flossing
Floss once a day. Nighttime is often best, since mornings can get rushed. Here's why it matters: when you skip flossing, about 30% of your tooth surfaces never get cleaned, and that's where cavities love to sneak in between your teeth.
Prescription Fluoride Toothpaste
If you're at higher risk for cavities or have a lot of dental work, we may recommend a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste. Here's how to get the most out of it: Use it 1–2 times a day after your normal brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Don't add water — just brush it onto your teeth and spit out the extra. Then don't eat, drink, rinse, or use mouthwash for at least 30 minutes. This toothpaste only works while it's sitting on your teeth, so washing it away cuts its benefits. For most people, right before bed is the perfect time.
Smart Tricks for Everyday Life
A few easy habits that protect your teeth:
- After candy or a sugary or acidic drink, sip some water, rinse with mouthwash, or brush to wash away or neutralize the sugar and acid.
- Chew sugar-free gum after eating something sugary or acidic. It gets your saliva flowing, which helps rinse away food.
- Floss after eating chips, popcorn, or anything with seeds that get stuck.
What to Limit or Avoid
- Sticky candy like gummy bears, Skittles, taffy, and caramel is the worst for your teeth. It gets stuck in the grooves and causes cavities more easily.
- Time matters with candy. Snacking on candy over a long stretch is harder on your teeth than eating a few pieces all at once. The longer sugar sits, the more damage it does.
- Hard candy and ice — don't bite them. They can crack your teeth.
- Sugary drinks like soda, sweet tea, and Kool-Aid are tough on teeth. And even "sugar-free" drinks like diet soda, milk, juice, coffee, and sports drinks can be harmful because of sugar and/or acid. Try to keep these to mealtimes only.
Building these habits at home is the single best way to make your routine cleaning visits easier and to keep gum disease from getting a foothold.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend one, like a Sonicare, for the best clean. It does a lot of the work for you and helps you brush more thoroughly.
Yes. Skipping it leaves about a third of your tooth surfaces uncleaned, and that's exactly where cavities start between teeth.
Not always. Many are still acidic, which can wear down enamel. Keeping all sugary and acidic drinks to mealtimes is your best bet.
Right before bed, after your normal routine, with no water and nothing to eat or drink for 30 minutes after.
Dr. Joseph Gegzna, DMD is the founder and lead dentist at Rabbit Creek Dental in Mobile, Alabama. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and has been a licensed dentist in Alabama since 2014, with more than 12 years of experience in general, restorative, and implant dentistry. After several years practicing as an associate, he founded Rabbit Creek Dental in 2022 to build the kind of patient-first practice he believed in. He has completed advanced implant training through a 92-hour Implant Pathway program with live patient surgery and additional surgical training in impacted third molar extractions through the Koerner Center for Surgical Instruction. He is a member of the American Dental Association and is currently in his third year of the Bulletproof Dental Mastermind program, a continuing education group focused on delivering an exceptional patient experience. Before dentistry, Dr. Gegzna was a licensed pilot, bringing a calm, detail-oriented approach to patient care. Rabbit Creek Dental serves families throughout Mobile.
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For personalized guidance about your dental health, please contact our office at (251) 308-0584.