When a patient visits our office for a routine appointment, it’s usually pretty obvious if they’ve kept up with their at-home dental care.
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily is important for your oral health. We’ve detailed some of the best dental products you can use to feel confident in your smile the next time you visit your dentist.
Best Types of Toothbrushes
If you’re not already using an electric toothbrush, it might be time to start. Oscillating-rotating electric toothbrushes more effectively clean your tooth surfaces than manual toothbrushes.
When shopping for your electric toothbrush, consider toothbrush heads with soft bristles. The rotation of the bristles makes them more efficient at clearing plaque from your teeth, but hard bristles can damage your gums and put wear on your teeth.
You should also be on the lookout for toothbrushes with smaller brush heads, which can more easily clean hard-to-reach areas in your mouth.
Best Types of Toothpaste
There are many types of toothpastes in stores: children’s toothpaste, charcoal toothpaste, herbal toothpaste. No matter what you choose, you must make sure it contains fluoride or Xylitol, an ingredient that strengthens tooth enamel and fights tooth decay.
Once you’ve ensured fluoride is an active ingredient in your toothpaste, you can check out different toothpastes specific to your oral health needs. Toothpastes with potassium nitrate help fight tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods, while pyrophosphates and zinc citrate feature in tartar-control toothpastes.
Watch this video to learn more about the different ingredients found in toothpastes and how they help your teeth.
Best Types of Floss
Flossing may be a pain to a lot of people, but it is an essential part of your DIY dentistry. Flossing between teeth removes plaque and other debris not reached by your toothbrush, preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
There are two main types of floss, unwaxed floss and waxed floss, and both have benefits. Waxed floss more easily traps particles stuck between your teeth and is typically stronger, while unwaxed floss is thinner and can slide between tightly packed teeth with more ease.
For family members with braces, bridges, or wide gaps between their teeth, you may consider purchasing super flosses. Super flosses come with three components—a stiffened-end threader for flossing under appliances, a spongy floss for cleaning around appliances, and regular floss for cleaning the gum line.
Call DeJesus Dental Group for Professional Dental Care
These are just a few of the best tools you can use during your DIY dental care routine, but you can’t completely take care of your teeth alone. It’s important to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and examination so a team of professionals can determine if you need advanced dental treatments.
Book a hygiene appointment at DeJesus Dental Group so we can see how your at-home dentistry is working out—and maybe offer a few more tips while you’re with us!