Growing up, your parents make you brush and floss your teeth daily, but once you’re at college, there’s nobody to enforce dental rules, so it’s easy for good habits to slip. You’re also free to eat and drink whatever you want on campus, so certain unhealthy foods—like desserts and sugary drinks—can damage your teeth if you don’t remember to brush or floss after eating. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these treats in moderation, but you’ll want to make adjustments to properly care for your teeth. Regularly brushing will help prevent bacteria from sticking to your tooth enamel, and brushing about 20 minutes after you have a sugary food or drink can help scrub away acid or sugar residue. Floss at least once a day, but try to do it after every meal. Swap out your toothbrush for a new one every few months, and be sure to brush your tongue too.
If you find that it’s hard to remember to brush or floss, put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror, or set a reminder on your phone for the same time(s) every day. You can also keep disposable floss picks in your backpack while you’re on the go.