While brushing and flossing remain the major pillars of dental hygiene, few people are aware that there are a number of additional ways to supplement these standard steps. Read on to learn about some useful tips and tricks for a healthier mouth.

1. It’s recommended that you rinse your mouth with water immediately after having a meal. When food particles remain in the mouth, oral bacteria acts upon them to produce acids, which is the root cause of problems like cavities and gum disease. Rinsing with water directly after eating will help remove food residue and prevent bacterial growth. To maximize the effectiveness of rinsing, repeat three times and swish thoroughly to ensure contact with all of your teeth.

2. How about switching to hydrogen peroxide? While name-brand mouthwash products boast advantageous attributes like teeth whitening, you can derive similar benefits from a simple household product: hydrogen peroxide. Since it’s often used as both a bleaching agent and a disinfectant, it makes sense that hydrogen peroxide is also an effective mouthwash, as it disinfects the mouth and naturally whitens the teeth.

3. Incorporate oral probiotics. Many people have a negative perception of oral bacteria, but there are beneficial bacteria that inhabit the mouth as well. By increasing the presence of good bacteria, supplemental oral probiotics help combat the effects of bad breath and gum disease.

4. Break up your flossing routine. If you lack the patience to develop a steady flossing routine try flossing in parts. Floss half of your teeth in the morning and the other half at night. This makes flossing seem less time-intensive and ensures all teeth get flossed within a 24-hour period.

5. Remember cleaning your tongue is just as important. In addition to cleaning your teeth, use a toothbrush or tongue scraper to clean your tongue, it will remove bacterial buildup that contributes to bad breath.

6. Wait to brush after consuming acidic beverages. When you drink an acidic beverage such as juice or soda, it lowers the pH in your mouth, making it more acidic and leaving your tooth enamel more susceptible to being removed during brushing. For this reason, it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes after drinking an acidic beverage before brushing.

7. Avoid overusing whitening toothpastes. While there are numerous ways to whiten your teeth, you shouldn’t rely on your toothpaste to do it. It is often said that due to the abrasive nature of whitening toothpastes, when using said product they often contribute to enamel loss and tooth sensitivity.