Be Thankful for Your Healthy Smile This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones and reflect on all the things we're grateful for. While your oral health may not be the first thing that comes...
The appearance of your teeth can have a significant effect on your confidence and your overall health. The best way to achieve a healthy smile is by packing your oral hygiene routine with the best products according to a dental professional. Aubrey Baudean DDS Wants to help you keep your smile as healthy as possible. Below are the eight best oral hygiene products we recommend our patients to use every day.
A Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
The toothbrush aisle is full of different options; however, most dentists agree that everyone should always be grabbing a soft-bristled brush. Hard-bristle brush heads and even medium-bristled toothbrushes are often too abrasive on your gums. For those who tend to brush their teeth with too much force, an electric toothbrush may be an even better option.
An Electric Toothbrush
Using an electric toothbrush is the most effective way to tackle hard-to-reach places while brushing your teeth. When it comes to electric toothbrushes, the more expensive ones are not necessarily better quality, or necessary. Finding the right toothbrush that comfortably fits your mouth makes for the best way to brush away bacteria while avoiding brushing your teeth with too much pressure or force.
Toothpaste That Contains Fluoride
Choosing a toothpaste that contains fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel while also preventing tooth decay. Many kinds of toothpaste also have active ingredients that fight tooth sensitivity, gingivitis, bad breath, or hardened plaque called tartar. Toothpaste that has abrasive additives, such as whitening agents, can also help to remove surface stains from your teeth. While a whiter smile may seem ideal for most, whitening toothpaste can also break down your tooth enamel. Ask your dentist for recommendations on the best toothpaste for your specific oral health needs at your next exam.
Dental Floss
Flossing daily is a must to maintain your oral health. For healthy teeth and gums, you should be brushing your teeth for a full two minutes twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Flossing helps to remove food particles trapped between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing also helps to reduce plaque and the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. Dental floss comes in both waxed and unwaxed varieties. If your teeth are tightly spaced, waxed floss or floss tape may glide more easily between your teeth to make flossing feel like less of a chore.
Dental Picks
If you struggle with using traditional dental floss, interdental cleaning aids can help to remove plaque. These products include pics, sticks, and mini-brushes to help get between and around your teeth. Gently cleaning between your teeth and under your gum line with these products will help you maintain optimal oral health.
A Water Flosser
Finding the right kind of floss for your teeth can be tedious, but it’s essential to find something that works for you that is both convenient and effective. Electric water flossers utilize pressurized water more effectively than a string to clean between the teeth and along the gum line. Hand-held water flossers are ideal for those with limited mobility.
Mouthwash
Using mouthwash isn’t necessarily a requirement of maintaining excellent oral health, but it does have some extreme benefits for your smile. Mouthwash has many more incredible benefits other than just giving you fresh breath. Mouthwash can also lower the bacteria levels in your mouth and reduce the risk of gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and is tied with some serious medical issues, including heart disease and diabetes. When searching for the perfect mouthwash, look for one that contains fluoride to help rebuild tooth enamel and strengthen your smile.
Sugar-Free Gum After Meals
All gum is not created equal. While chewing gum is a great way to increase the saliva levels in your mouth, sugar-free gum offers the most benefits to your teeth. Saliva is a natural enemy of tooth decay and gum disease. As it reduces bacteria levels in the mouth, it also helps to flush out food debris. The next time you’re choosing a pack of gum at the supermarket, try to avoid gum that is packed with sugar. The best gum to chew for your teeth is a gum that contains Xylitol.
You will never truly know the status of your oral health and if your at-home efforts are paying off until you see a dentist for a routine cleaning and exam. If it has been a while since you have seen a dentist, contact Aubrey Baudean DDS today to schedule an appointment.
