If you are keen bout your dental health, you understand that the types of products you use on your teeth play a key role in maintaining optimum health. That is why so many dentists offer advice on the best dental products to buy. And it’s not just teeth whitening strips; it also involves toothbrushes, toothpaste, and even dental floss.
You need to look out for a few characteristics when purchasing these products. Additionally, you must know what to avoid. Buying the correct dental products help to boost your overall oral health. The right dental products will protect rather than erode your teeth. Additionally, they will safeguard against conditions such as bad breath, cavities, and discoloration. But how do you determine which products will help your teeth? We provide you with this helpful guide on the top characteristics of different dental products.
Characteristics of Good Dental Products
1. Toothbrushes
If you do not have a toothbrush, then you need one immediately. And if you have been using yours for more than three months, you need to toss it out for a new one. Toothbrushes are important for oral health because they clean in between teeth. They remove food particles and dirt from between the teeth. You can also use a toothbrush to clean your tongue. When brushing, the toothbrush also touches the gums, enhancing cleaning. Both manual and electric toothbrushes need to have soft bristles. The teeth and gums are sensitive. Tough bristles will erode the enamel and make your gums swollen and red.
On the other hand, soft bristles effectively clean the teeth and gums with no irritation. Next, look for a toothbrush with a head that fits in your mouth easily. This is especially important for children and those with braces. Pick a toothbrush in a favored color or cartoon character to encourage brushing for kids. Similarly, if you have a hard time brushing your teeth, get an electric toothbrush to make it more interesting and effortless.
2. Toothpaste
Toothpaste is important for dental hygiene. Its special formula makes it effective against bacteria, food particles, and dirt in the mouth. Some toothpaste also helps strengthen the teeth by providing them with minerals and compounds necessary for strength. You could suffer from bad breath, cavities, and other oral health conditions without toothpaste. A good place to start when purchasing toothpaste is as your dentist for the ideal one. This is necessary for people with dental conditions and braces. Likewise, you could need a special toothpaste to help fight against abnormal tartar buildup, bleeding gums, or sensitivity. Vocalize your issues with a dentist so you can buy the right toothpaste. But otherwise, you need to buy toothpaste with fluoride. Studies have shown that fluoride helps to prevent cavities.
Therefore, ensure that you buy toothpaste with fluoride. This applies to kids’ toothpaste too. Next, ensure that your toothpaste is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). This mark of quality means that the toothpaste is safe and effective. Remember that your dental health changes with age and other factors. Therefore, you may need to adjust the type of toothpaste you use after a while. Additionally, you could find some types irritating. When this happens, go for a dental appointment to receive insight on the best toothpaste for you.
3. Dental Floss
Just because you brush your teeth does not mean you don’t need dental floss. Experts recommend using dental floss at least once a day after brushing your teeth. Dental floss removes debris and food stuck in between the teeth. It goes where the toothbrush bristles cannot reach. Additionally, you can use dental floss to clean each tooth individually to get rid of plaque and other forms of dirt.
There are many options for dental floss in the market. If you have braces or dental work that catches food easily, go for water picks. However, you will still need regular floss to remove plaque. Additionally, find floss that is easy to use.
Finally, select dental flows with fluoride infusion. Fluoride helps to strengthen the enamel. Fluoride floss is especially great if you rinse excessively after brushing.
4. Mouth Wash
First, you need to recognize that mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing. Nor is it a replacement for toothpaste. However, mouthwash helps to promote good breath throughout the day. It can also help to control plaque growth. This is thanks to its special formula. Mouthwash with fluoride also helps to keep the teeth strong and healthy.
When selecting regular mouthwash, find an anti-bacterial one for fighting against bacteria. Additionally, buy one with fluoride to strengthen your enamel. Regular mouth wash is not suitable for children under six due to the alcohol content. Therefore, read the label before you purchase for a child. Always ensure that the mouthwash has a seal of acceptance from the ADA.
Finally, if you have oral conditions such as gum disease or thrush, ensure that you seek advice from a dentist on the best mouthwash for you.
5. Tongue Scraper
Tongue scarping could help your oral health in multiple ways. First, it helps to get rid of bad breath by removing food particles embedded in the tongue.
Next, if your tongue looks whitish or feels unpleasant, a tongue scraper will help to correct that. This coating could also be dulling your taste buds; using a scraper will help with improving your taste senses. There are many types of tongue scrapers in the market. A plastic scraper is ideal for kids, thanks to its small size. It also has a great handle. Metal scrapers are great because of their larger size that can clean your tongue in one stroke. As for shape, the choice is entirely yours as both are effective at scraping the tongue.
In Conclusion,
If you actively look for these characteristics, you will have cleaner teeth and gums, plus fresh breath. If you experience any irritation or side effects from any dental products, ensure that you visit a certified dentist for insight and advice.
Finally, remember to follow instructions on using any dental care products.
