4 Products To Help Your Oral Health
Good oral hygiene is an important part of your overall health not to mention your self-esteem. When you take good care of your teeth, you prevent cavities or gum disease from forming, which in turn may even protect your heart. Taking good care of your teeth is also more aesthetically pleasing as it leads to whiter teeth and a more pleasant smile, not to mention better-smelling breath. One of the hardest parts of taking care or your oral health is finding the best products, though. With so many on the market, it can be hard to decide where to start. Let this list help you understand the basics.
1. The Right Toothpaste
From popular name brands to indie labels and back again, there are hundreds of toothpastes on the market and finding the best toothpaste for you will take a little bit of research. Before you buy the first thing you see on the shelf, there are a few things to consider. Do you have sensitive teeth? If so, you’ll want something that works to help you avoid pain when you’re brushing. Perhaps you’d like to whiten your teeth and need a paste with a formula that does just that.
Other things to consider are whether you need or want tartar protection, if you have gum disease that might require a prescription paste, or if you need something that tastes good and keeps your kids interested in brushing.
2. The Best Dental Floss
The bristles of your toothbrush won’t reach far between your teeth, no matter how good the brush itself it. This means that you need dental floss to help you get to those hard-to-reach places so you can prevent decay and halitosis. There is no overall “best” type of floss, so it really depends on what your preferences are. If you don’t like the feeling of the floss itself on your fingers, you can use plastic applicators that make it easier to use on the go. Mint flavors are great if you need an after-lunch pick-me-up but don’t want to carry an entire toothbrush and toothpaste.
Most types are good for plaque removal, so consider other factors as well. If you have large spaces between your teeth, consider dental tape or a super floss made for larger gaps. Smaller spaces may need a waxy floss that slides between teeth easier. Consider, too, that you’ll need special floss if you have braces or dental bridges.
3. The Best Mouthwash
There are three main types of mouthwash: plaque-inhibiting, antiseptic, and preventative. Each type does have overlapping benefits, though, so a lot of time it comes down to personal preference. Overall, mouthwash should leave your breath feeling fresher and complement the rest of your oral hygiene practices. The differences will help you determine whether you need a specific type.
Plaque-inhibiting mouthwash does exactly what it describes: prevents plaque from sticking around on your teeth. Mouthwash that helps to rid your mouth of plaque could use antimicrobials, essential oils, or a combination of the two. Antiseptic mouthwashes are used to help oral hygiene but are also good for preventing infection and are especially helpful before and after oral surgery. Finally, preventative mouthwash are the most common and contain fluoride to help your teeth avoid decay.
4. The Best Toothbrush
Of course, none of the “ingredients” work well without the right tools: an excellent toothbrush! Consider whether you want a manual of batter-operated toothbrush. If you tend to brush too hard, don’t have a lot of manual dexterity, or have a dentist suggest you need to brush better, a battery-operated option may be better. Consider a smart toothbrush as well. Some toothbrushes even give you “brushing streaks” and let you win “prizes” for brushing as long and as often as you should. Making brushing more fun for your kids (or even yourself!) is likely to help you maintain cleaner, healthier teeth.
If you still aren’t sure which kind of tooth-brushing tools are right for you, don’t be afraid to ask your dentist. He or she can help you find the right items you need for a fresher, happier mouth!
