Excellent dental health is a result of a consistent oral hygiene.
Your unwavering effort to care for your oral health is what prevents cavities and gum disease from developing. But in order for your dental care routine to be effective, you need the right tools to do the job right.
On top of regular dental care and treatment, having the right dental tools at home can help you maintain your oral health.
To make sure you get to keep that great smile, start by making use of these dental tools:
1. Tongue Scraper
According to dental experts, chronic bad breath can develop from bacterial collection on the tongue. A tongue scraper works well in lessening bad breath by cleaning the tongue and effectively reducing the number of bacteria that cause halitosis.
2. Toothbrush
This is a basic, must-have dental tool you shouldn’t neglect. When you buy a toothbrush, always choose a soft-bristled one as medium-bristled or hard-bristled ones can be too harsh on your gums. Another thing to consider is an electric toothbrush as it gives better and safe cleaning results especially if you tend to brush too hard. Quip reviews can give you a good knowledge about these toothbrushes.
Whether powered or manual, make sure your toothbrush is in a shape and size that fits your mouth well. This will promote teeth cleaning in an easier and more comfortable way.
3. Mouthwash
When you have difficulty brushing or flossing, an alcohol-free mouthwash can provide added protection against gum disease and cavities. Consult with your dentist about what type of mouthwash is best for your oral health.
Mouthwashes can help with different dental problems in the following ways:
- Reducing plaque build-up
- Preventing gingivitis
- Fighting cavities
- Controlling bad breath
4. Toothpaste
Your toothpaste and toothbrush should always go hand in hand.
Choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride as it can help strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent decay. Depending on your oral health needs, there are many kinds of toothpastes that contain ingredients which help fight tooth sensitivity, hardened plaque, bad breath, and gingivitis.
5. Floss
Flossing is important as the process removes food particles which are stuck in between your teeth, as it’s not all the time that your toothbrush can clean these hard-to-reach areas. To keep your teeth healthy, make sure to floss at least once in a day.
If you have tightly-spaced teeth, flossing tape or waxed floss can glide between your teeth more easily. Floss also comes in different flavors to help make flossing feel less like a daunting chore.
6. Dental picks or sticks
This is an ideal dental tool for someone who’s always on the go to make sure you’re never seen with food stuck in-between your teeth. A dental pick or stick is your other option if you have difficulty using dental floss. What’s important is to choose a tool that can gently get under your gum line and in between your teeth to efficiently clean these areas.
7. Pocket mist
When you need a quick breath refresher, a pocket mist does the job well. This is a pocket-size germ killing tool that you can easily carry around wherever you go.
8. Oral irrigator
The oral irrigator is an oral hygiene appliance that shoots a stream of water in your mouth to get rid of food particles stuck in between or around your teeth. Teens who find it hard to clean around braces and individuals with fixed partial dentures usually find this tool quite helpful.
However, take note that an oral irrigator is only an add-on dental tool and not a substitute for your routine flossing and brushing. Opt for an oral irrigator that you can regulate with ease so that the water pressure won’t be too high.
Ensure your dental health
Your mouth is the doorway to your overall health. Developing good oral hygiene with the use of the dental tools mentioned above is an efficient way to protect your teeth from various dental problems. And although you may have basic dental tools at home, you still shouldn’t neglect dental appointments.
Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice a year for thorough teeth cleaning. Book dental appointments for routine checkups as well so that your dentist can accurately spot dental problems before they become worse.
AUTHOR BIO
Dr. Michael Letham is the owner and dentist at 24/7 Dental and Bayside Smiles. He graduated from Sydney University in 2000 with Honours, receiving the R Morse Withycombe Prize for Proficiency in Clinical Periodontics (gum treatment). Striving to provide a modern, holistic approach to dental care that is tailored to each individual’s requirements, Mike’s focus is on being thorough and meticulous whilst being caring and compassionate.