What Dental Products Should I Be Using?

There are a wide variety of dental products available, and for the best long-term care, it's best to choose something that best fits your particular needs. A good daily hygiene regimen consists of flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash, and figuring out what to use doesn't have to be confusing. With the right tools, you should notice an improvement in your overall dental health.

Toothbrushes

You can find toothbrushes in just about every size and shape imaginable, but you can't go wrong with something simple. The important thing here is to be aware of your current brushing habits, as this can tell you what brush you would benefit the most from.

To start, always use a soft-bristle brush. Brushing hard or using hard bristles only serves to scrape away at your teeth's enamel; you don't need to brush hard to remove plaque or food. If you notice that you have trouble reaching your back teeth, try for a brush with a smaller head that may fit more easily in the back of your mouth and between your teeth. An electric toothbrush with a spinning head may also help you more effective reach places that are tough to reach with normal brushes. However, if you are normally heavy handed with your brushing, avoid electric toothbrushes as this could compound the problem.

The other important factor is to replace your brush every three months. The best brush in the world won't do much good if the bristles are worn and frayed.

Toothpaste

Toothpastes do much more than simply clean your teeth; they can make them whiter, help get rid of tartar, reduce sensitivity, and help prevent cavities. For the best effect, choose a toothpaste that will take care of your most pressing needs. If the problem is severe enough, you can get a prescription toothpaste that is stronger than most products you can buy in store.

If you find that you are constantly getting cavities, toothpastes heavy in fluoride are best. If you are looking to remove stains, whitening toothpastes work well, but they are limited to only removing surface stains. In addition, they also contain abrasives that can make your teeth more sensitive.

Whatever your need, a specific type of toothpaste will give you better results than a generic toothpaste.

Mouthwash

Mouthwashes can serve almost as many purposes as toothpaste, and if used properly, can have a heavy impact on your dental health. Once again, you should look for a mouthwash that addresses your needs. For tooth decay, look for fluoridated mouthwash. If you want to fight plaque or gum disease or even bad breath, look for an anti-bacterial mouthwash instead. For halitosis, you can also use any mouthwash that uses chlorine or zinc; these aren't very strong, but help give your mouth a fresher feel. Like toothpaste, you can also get a prescription for strong mouthwash to fight issues like periodontitis.

To make mouthwash most effective, use it after you floss to make sure it gets inside every crevice of your mouth and between your teeth. It's also helpful to simply spit it out rather than rinsing it out with water; this leaves some residue in your mouth that can set on your teeth and protect them for a greater duration. For more information, talk to a professional like Kriemelmeyer Frederick DDS.


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