Oral hygiene refers to the consistent routine designed to keep your mouth clean. You will need professional cleaning and attention from your dentist for optimal preventive oral healthcare. But you should also practice diligent oral hygiene on your own at home.
If you neglect your oral hygiene regimen, plaque and other harmful residues will linger on your smile and weaken your teeth. You can then be in danger of cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems.
While good oral hygiene involves a consistent schedule and proper techniques, you also want to make sure you use the best tools for the task. Read on to find advice from your dentist about which supplies you should buy to get the most out of your at-home oral hygiene routine.
Choose a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
Your oral hygiene regimen must include brushing your teeth at least twice per day, in the mornings and evenings. This process will scrub away plaque, food particles, and other build-ups that will collect on your teeth in between these routines.
You might guess that a toothbrush that features hard bristles will do a better job at this targeted cleaning, but that is not true. It will not perform better than a soft-bristled toothbrush. In fact, it can pose a threat to your dental health.
Hard toothbrush bristles can irritate the tooth enamel and gum tissue, putting you at risk of dental erosion. Make sure you do not hurt your smile while you brush your teeth. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Look for Fluoride Toothpaste
Brushing your teeth is not complete without applying toothpaste to your toothbrush. This gel-like substance contains abrasive ingredients that improve the scrubbing ability of your brush. This way, you can get your smile as thoroughly clean as possible.
However, toothpaste can bring other benefits to your oral health as well. You should look for a toothpaste brand that features fluoride. This mineral absorbs into your enamel when it meets your teeth.
Then it fortifies the teeth, making them better resistant to tooth decay and other dental threats. You can add another layer of protection for your smile when you buy this kind of toothpaste.
Consider Alternative Flossing Tools
Daily flossing is a crucial step in your oral hygiene regimen. You must clean between your teeth using floss because brushing your teeth cannot clear away plaque that develops in this tricky part of your smile.
Traditional string floss is a great way to get your smile clean. But some people may benefit from alternative flossing devices. For instance, floss picks, which feature string floss attached to a plastic handle, make for easier navigation around oral appliances like braces.
You may also want to try a water flosser, a device that generates a stream of water that you aim between your teeth. You can swap the tip of the flosser according to your needs. A tip can target cleaning the gums, for example, or you may select one that helps patients with dental implants.