Oral Hygiene Aids are tools to help maintain good oral hygiene at home. There are many available to choose from.
Toothbrushes are an obvious and effective tool for use at home. Although they come in firm, medium and soft, we only recommend soft brushes for your teeth. Medium and firm bristles are too harsh for your gums and can create problems. When cleaning teeth, use a gentle circular motion for the best results. A back-and-forth scrubbing motion across your teeth should be avoided.
Toothpaste containing fluoride will help strengthen the enamel on your teeth and helps prevent dental caries (cavities). There are a plethora of toothpastes to choose from, so ask your dental team for their recommendation.
Dental Floss is a tool used to clean between teeth. It is a must for healthy teeth and gums. Flossing daily is recommended for good oral health. Flossing helps remove food that your toothbrush missed. Flosses come in many forms from waxed to unwaxed, and they are often flavored to make the task more enjoyable. Find one you like. Studies suggest that flossing can actually add years to your life as well as prevent gum disease. Please, floss regularly.
Mouthwash is a staple in many households. Mouthwash can be used to tackle a large array of problems. There is are many choices out there. Use mouthwash to help with bad breath, gum disease, plaque and even teeth whitening. An anti-bacterial mouthwash is usually a sound choice to add to your dental routine.
Interdental Brushes are small brushes used to clean between your teeth. They help remove food, plaque and bacteria between teeth.
Oral Irrigators are oral hygiene tools that shoot a stream of water into your mouth to clean hard-to-reach areas. They are especially useful for patients with braces, as they allow water to clean the area around and between the braces.
Tongue Scrapers (or tongue cleaners) are used to help lessen bad breath (halitosis). They are devices that scrape bacteria and food particles from the tongue. Fungi and bacteria that live on the tongue have been linked to systemic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
