Note: this post was updated in July 2024 to reflect new health insurance info.
Oral health is important. Dentists screen for cavities, plaque, and gum health, as well as more serious issues like signs of oral cancer.
Oral hygiene is the practice of brushing, flossing, mouth washing, and regularly seeing your dentist to maintain a healthy mouth, prevent cavities, and other dental disorders. Just like other parts of well-being, building a routine and using habit formation strategies can help you create a strong oral hygiene practice.
Although it can be easy to skip flossing or brushing during a busy day, preventative maintenance is key for a healthy mouth and can help individuals avoid high dental bills.
So, what are the steps to keep your mouth squeaky clean? Here are the basics:
It’s always best to consult with your dentist to ensure a routine is right for you and your current dental health status. A dentist may recommend a specific type of toothbrush, toothpaste, or routine based on the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. So, keep this in mind as you read on.
Dental cleanings are a preventative method to evaluate your oral health, similar to a preventive care visit you might schedule with your medical care provider. To make sure your dental insurance covers your cleaning, read the policy. (Keep reading for info on the policies available to Hopkins students and trainees.) Some policies require you to schedule your cleaning six months to the day since your last appointment to be covered. Other plans cover two cleanings at any time during a 12-consecutive-month period (not the same as a calendar year).
Size and bristle variety are important aspects to consider when choosing a toothbrush. With size, it’s important to choose a toothbrush head that you can maneuver into the tight spaces of your mouth. For bristle variety, soft is usually best. Make sure to consider how you brush your teeth and the overall strength of your teeth. Brushing too vigorously can damage your gums and enamel, so use caution with hard bristles. Something else to consider is manual vs electric toothbrushes. If you are using the proper brushing technique (see next step), it doesn’t matter which one you choose. The key is to choose one that you like to use and one that helps you brush effectively.
Brushing your teeth morning and night is a helpful way to reduce bacteria in your mouth that form into acid which can erode enamel. Additionally, brushing helps remove leftover food in your mouth that can create bad breath. Take two full minutes to brush your teeth, and don’t skip your tongue. To learn the proper brushing technique, watch this video from the American Dental Association.
Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. Floss can get into the tiny crevices between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Make sure to be gentle when flossing. It can be easy to snap the floss between your teeth when you are in a rush, but this can harm your gums and not be as effective. When flossing, gently curve around your teeth as you make a rubbing motion. As you move on to each tooth, make sure to use a fresh section of floss to avoid food getting lodged between your teeth.
Using mouthwash can help make sure that any last part of your mouth that didn’t get brushed or flossed has some level of protection. There are a variety of mouthwashes on the market. Often, it’s recommended to use a mouthwash with fluoride in it to help prevent cavities and promote overall oral health. It’s important to note not to use mouthwash more than twice a day since overuse can harm your mouth.
Keeping your toothbrush in an upright position where it can air dry is best. Avoid putting your toothbrush in a container or near other people’s toothbrushes. In addition, replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months or earlier if the bristles start to become ununiform.
Habit stacking is the intentional pairing of a new habit with a current habit.
Reflect on current habits you do every day and consider which would stack best with your oral hygiene practices. For example, if you wash your face in the morning or evening, adding your oral hygiene routine right after washing your face can be an easy next step. For oral hygiene, it may be helpful to consider habits that you already do twice a day in the morning and evening such as washing your face, meditating, or reading.
Appointments can be virtual or in-person and are open to all JHU students and trainees. To make an appointment, email [email protected].
If you want to see a dentist during the school year, all Johns Hopkins students and trainees have access to a dental plan. The graduate students get dental coverage along with their health insurance coverage, but undergrads have to purchase the Delta Plan noted below on their own.
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If you want to see a dentist during the school year, all Johns Hopkins students and trainees have access to a dental plan. Postdocs, house staff, PhD students, medical students, and some master’s students are auto-enrolled into Delta Dental coverage. All othes have the option to purchase Delta Dental coverage during open enrollment. For more information about the JHU Delta Dental Plan, please visit the JHU human resources site. To enroll into dental coverage during an open enrollment period, please visit Care26 Student.
The following health care providers have either established relationships working with the Office of Primary Care over the years or are within close proximity to a Hopkins campus for the convenience of our students. When reaching out to make an appointment, please confirm with each office that they accept your insurance. Coverage varies by provider and are subject to change at the provider’s discretion.
| Name | Address | Phone Number | Student Discount? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelton & Gibbons Dental | 7402 York Road Suite 303 Towson, MD 21204 | 410-321-1133 | None |
| University of Maryland Dental School | 650 W. Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201 | 410-706-7101 | None |
| Johns Hopkins Hospital Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry | 600 N. Wolfe Street Blalock 266 Baltimore, MD 21205 (East Baltimore Campus) | 410-955-6663 | None |
| Dr. Lawrence Chen & Associates | 711 W. 40th Street Suite 215 Baltimore, MD 21211 (The Rotunda Shopping Center) | 410-235-8525 | 10% off all services. |
| Spectrum Dental | 200 E. 33rd Street Baltimore, MD 21218 (Professional Building, Union Memorial Hospital. Enter through 3304 Guilford Avenue.) | 410-325-0062 | Available on some services; ask your provider. |
| The Smile Design Center | 2324 West Joppa Rd., Suite 110, Lutherville, MD 21093 | 410-321-1100 | Provides courtesy pricing to students, up to 20% off. |
| Dr. K. Michael Murphy & Associates | 3900 N. Charles St., Suite 112, Baltimore, MD 21218 (The Social Apartment Building) | 410-235-1233 | 10% discount for students without insurance. |
| Oral Surgeons | |||
| Anush John, DMD, MD | 1212 York Road Suite A201 Lutherville, MD 21093 | 410-337-7755 | None |
| Johns Hopkins Hospital Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry | 600 N. Wolfe Street Blalock 266 Baltimore, MD 21205 (East Baltimore Campus) | 410-955-6663 | None |
| Orthodontists | |||
| DeCamps Orthodontics | 110 W. 39th Street Baltimore, MD 21210 (Hopkins House Apartment Building) | 410-366-3323 | None |
Nancy Compton, MD, a clinic physician in the Office of Primary Care, contributed to this post.