Dental News

Achieving Excellent Oral Care at Home

December 17, 2013

Choosing & actually using the right toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other dental care products can help protect your smile

Achieving Excellent Oral Care at HomeIf you brush after every meal, floss daily, and use a quality antiseptic mouthwash, you’re a dentist’s dream come true. Most people “forget” to floss and some people only manage to brush once per day. These little slip-ups may not seem like a big deal, but over time their negative effects can really begin to add up. When the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gingivitis aren’t kept in check with proper oral hygiene, serious consequences including severe tooth pain and even tooth loss may occur. Here are some tips to help you achieve excellent oral care at home.

Use the Right Toothpaste

You might be tempted to just use whatever toothpaste the other members of your household do, or buy whatever happens to be on sale at the store. However, not all toothpastes are created equal. You want to make a point of selecting a toothpaste that is approved by the American Dental Association and can deliver the specific benefits you want. For example, if you are concerned about staining you will want to select a whitening toothpaste, and if you have sensitivity issues you will want a toothpaste that can help protect your teeth.

Buy a Quality Toothbrush

When it comes to your toothbrush, you’ll have many different options from discount brand disposable ones to high-tech electric toothbrushes. If you are interested in an electric toothbrush, pick a rotation oscillation one, as these have been found to be more effective than manual brushing. No matter which type of toothbrush you choose, you need to make sure the head of the toothbrush is sized properly to fit in your mouth and reach all surfaces of your teeth. Also, you need to consider the bristle type. For most people, soft bristles are best. They allow you to brush your teeth vigorously without risking damage to your tooth enamel, and they are not as irritating to gums as harder bristles may be.

Choose Easy-to-Use Floss

Flossing is very important for good oral health, because it reaches into places where your toothpaste can’t go like between teeth and beneath the gum line. When choosing a floss, opt for the kind that is easiest for you to use. Many people prefer the pick-type flossers rather than a floss that comes on a spool because they are easier to maneuver. If you don’t have much space between your teeth, make sure you buy a waxed floss that will be able to glide in and out more easily.

Consider an Antiseptic Mouthwash

Topping off your oral care routine with a swig of mouthwash can help freshen breath. Certain specialty mouthwashes can also deliver additional benefits, such as killing gingivitis bacteria or strengthening your teeth with fluoride. If you don’t like the stinging sensation of mouthwash or suffer from drymouth, avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol.

Questions? Ask Your Dentist

If you need help choosing a specific oral care product, feel free to ask one of the expert dentists at California Dental Group for a recommendation.

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