Expecting no cavities from only brushing your teeth is like cleaning up a Thanksgiving meal by just scrubbing the dishes only and saying the kitchen is clean. Brushing teeth alone is not enough if you are serious about preventing cavities.

Here are 10 tips to drastically reduce your risk from getting cavities during your oral hygiene regimen. Pick several at first that you could improve on until mastering more:

1. Brush Your Teeth Two Times a Day for 2-5 Minutes

Fluoride toothpaste takes 3 minutes plus to absorb into teeth and this shield lasts 12 hours--hence why we brush two times a day. The average person only brushes for 45 seconds, which is an insufficient length for adequate protection. What is your average?

2. Floss Daily

Flossing removes debris that the toothbrush cannot. Brush as efficiently as possible then floss afterwards and smell the floss--that is what gets missed when you don't floss.

3. Water Flosser

This is the best adjunct to brushing and flossing especially if you are diligent in your oral hygiene and still get cavities. A water flosser reaches deeper areas and effectively removes bacteria, food, and plaque that brushing and flossing may not. 5 out of 5 stars.

4. Tongue Scraper

Tongue scrapers drastically reduce tonsil stones, hairy tongue, bad breath, and plaque. Highly recommended at least once per day.

5. Mouthwash Daily

Mouthwash has major benefits that help with bad breath, gingivitis, assisting in preventing cavities and removing unwanted pathogens in your mouth. Use daily but know not all mouthwashes are created equal.

6. Avoid Toothpicks

Chronic and aggressive toothpick use causes trauma to the gums. It mostly blunts them causing gaps between the base of the teeth. This allows food to get stuck easier.

7. Wait to Brush 30 Minutes After Eating

Several reasons to wait. This time span allows saliva to wash away food that would otherwise adhere to your teeth even after brushing and it allows the teeth to remineralize.

8. Don't Rinse with Water Afterwards

As you rinse your mouth with water after brushing you are not allowing the fluoride or other medicinal ingredients from toothpaste to absorb into your teeth. Brush then spit--that's it.

9. Order of Oral Hygiene

Whatever your highest priority should be the last dental product used. For example, if preventing cavities is your biggest concern use mouthwash and floss then finish with toothpaste since toothpaste is the more effective dental product to prevent cavities.

10. Replace Your Brush Every 3 Months

If the bristles visually cover the sides of the toothbrush because they are too flared, it is time to change your toothbrush. Brushing your teeth is ineffective when they are flared.

Conclusion

Brushing and flossing alone is not enough to prevent cavities. These 10 bathroom tips will drastically help prevent cavities but also read our article on "10 Tips on Habits That Can Prevent Cavities."