Tips for Maintaining Your Smile Between Visits
By Dr. Harut Hakobyan, Olive Dental Studio · Burbank, CA
Expert advice on daily oral hygiene habits that keep your teeth and gums healthy between dental appointments.
Most of your dental health is decided at home, between visits. Six-month cleanings catch problems early and remove tartar that brushing can't, but the real work is what you do every day. Here's what actually matters — minus the marketing fluff.
Brush twice a day, but better
The number of times you brush matters less than how you brush. Two minutes, twice a day, with a soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. Use small circular motions — not back-and-forth scrubbing, which over time can wear away enamel and recede gums.
An electric toothbrush genuinely helps. Sonic or oscillating brushes do a better job removing plaque than even a careful manual brusher, and most have built-in 2-minute timers. Worth the investment.
Floss is non-negotiable
About 35% of your tooth surface is between teeth — the spaces a brush can't touch. If you don't floss, plaque accumulates there, hardens into tartar within 24–48 hours, and starts irritating your gums. Daily flossing is the single most underrated habit in dental health.
If string floss is a struggle, water flossers (like Waterpik) are a reasonable alternative for many patients. They're not quite as effective as floss done correctly, but they're much better than nothing — and patients with implants or braces often prefer them.
What you eat matters more than you think
Cavities are caused by bacteria that eat sugar and produce acid. So the biggest risk factor isn't necessarily how much sugar you eat — it's how often. Sipping a sugary drink across an hour gives bacteria a constant fuel supply. Drinking the same amount in 5 minutes does much less damage.
The same logic applies to acidic drinks (sparkling water, citrus juice, kombucha, sports drinks). Frequent sipping erodes enamel; concentrated consumption is gentler. Drinking through a straw helps too.
Watch out for grinding
Tooth grinding (bruxism) is shockingly common — and most people who grind don't know they do it. Signs include:
- Jaw soreness or headaches in the morning
- Worn-flat edges on your front teeth
- Cracked fillings or chipped corners
- Tooth sensitivity that comes and goes
If you grind, a custom nightguard can save you thousands in restorative work over a lifetime. We make them in-office.
Mouthwash: helpful or hype?
Most cosmetic mouthwashes are mostly marketing. Therapeutic mouthwashes with chlorhexidine or essential oils can help with specific gum issues but aren't necessary for everyone. Fluoride mouthwashes are useful for patients prone to decay. We'll recommend something specific only if you actually need it.
Stay hydrated, especially with dry mouth
Saliva is your mouth's natural defense system. It washes away food particles, neutralizes acid, and remineralizes early-stage enamel damage. Anything that reduces saliva — certain medications, mouth-breathing, dehydration — increases your cavity risk significantly. Drink plenty of water and talk to us if you feel chronically dry-mouthed.
Don't skip the cleaning
Even with perfect home care, tartar will form. It can only be removed by professional instruments. Six-month cleanings exist to handle that, plus the early-detection inspection no toothbrush can replace.
If you're due for a cleaning in Burbank, Glendale, or anywhere in the surrounding LA area, book online or call us at (818) 588-3244. We'd be glad to take care of you.