You probably see the dentist twice a year for a cleaning. However, you spend 365 days a year taking care of your dental health at home. In order to achieve optimal oral health at home, you need to use the right products. Here is Downtown Dental Group’s list of the best at-home dental care products.
Toothbrushes
As you’re looking at the plethora of toothbrush options at your local market or pharmacy, always keep one thing in mind – use soft bristled toothbrushes! Hard and medium bristled toothbrushes are too harsh on your gums. At Downtown Dental Group, we recommend that our patients use a Phillips Sonicare electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes keep you from brushing too hard and damaging your gums and enamel. They also ensure that you brush for the recommended two minutes.
Toothpaste
It is important to select a toothpaste that has fluoride in it. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. Some kinds of toothpaste have other additives to fight sensitivity or to whiten teeth. These can break down tooth enamel. Check with your dentist for a recommendation for the best toothpaste for you.
Dental Floss
Flossing is crucial to achieving optimal oral health as it allows you to clear out plaque and tartar between your teeth. Additionally, flossing is key to the prevention of gum disease. Floss comes in waxed and non-waxed variations and also different flavors. If your teeth are tightly spaced together, you might prefer a waxed floss. If you have dexterity issues and flossing is difficult, you can also use dental picks and sticks. Once you find one that you like, stick with it!
Water Picks
Many people associate water picks (or a pulsing irrigator) with people with braces. While they do help tremendously with freeing up food caught in braces, they are also very useful to anyone. The constant stream of water helps loosen food caught in hard to reach spaces. Those who have dentures or partials also find water picks quite useful.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is another important at-home dental care product. Some mouthwashes help reduce plaque and assist in the fight against gum disease. Others contain fluoride to protect against cavities. Your dentist will be your best resource to recommend the right mouthwash for your oral health needs.
At Downtown Dental Group, we aim to provide our patients with the information they need to make well-informed decisions about their dental health. To talk to a dentist about the right at-home dental care products for you, schedule an appointment today by calling 785.776.0097 or by submitting an appointment request form.