Teeth Cleaning Tools
Ask any dental professional, and chances are that he will recommend that you visit a dentist once or twice per year, both for a general examination and for a thorough dental cleaning. However, in-between these visits to the dentist, you are not off the hook as far as being mindful of your oral health. Your dentist expects you to take care of your teeth and mouth by performing regular dental maintenance. You can do that by using some commonly available teeth cleaning tools.
There is an incredibly wide variety of teeth cleaning tools that you can use at home in order to help maintain good dental hygiene. Perhaps using every single one of these tools may not be exactly necessary; however, it is best to remember that the better you take care of your teeth, the less your dentist will need to do. That said, some teeth cleaning tools should be used with caution, as they can be a bit dangerous if used overzealously. Check out the sections below to know which tools to use and which tools to avoid.
Teeth Cleaning Tools to Use
- Toothpaste: In small amounts, fluoride can help prevent tooth decay; therefore, it is generally advised to select toothpaste that includes this key ingredient. If your teeth are sensitive, look for a specialty paste that contains desensitizing ingredients.
- Toothbrush: Some dentists recommend electric toothbrushes; if you want to use one of these, find one that uses a rotation oscillation movement, as these are the only kind that have been proven to be more effective than manual brushes. If you opt for a manual toothbrush, select one with a small head and soft nylon bristles – these types of brushes will be gentler on your mouth.
- Dental Floss or Dental Tape: Choose a product you will use – you may prefer waxed to unwaxed, perhaps, or maybe you will like a mint flavor better than plain. Or, you may like dental tape (flatter and wider than floss). You may also want to try dental picks, which are single-use flossers.
- Mouthwash: Mouthwash isn’t technically necessary, but it can be helpful as a way for extra cleaning. Be careful of using antiseptic mouthwashes for long periods, though, as these can stain the teeth.
Other Teeth Cleaning Tools
- Disclosing Tablets: These tablets turn the areas of your teeth which contain tartar and plaque dark red. They could be useful when used before brushing.
- Dental Mirror: This teeth cleaning tool could help you to see the back area of your teeth, which could help if you are trying to remove a popcorn hull, for example.
- Dental Scaler and Dental Explorer: You can purchase a scaler and explorer (these are the sharp pointy tools) just like your dentist uses; however, scraping your teeth is not advised by most dentists as you can do damage. It is best to avoid these tools unless you are trained in dental care.
- Irrigation devices: These motorized units send out streams of water to flush out debris; however, they typically do not work well enough to remove plaque or tartar.
- Interdental Cleaners: Interdental cleaners are special plastic (sometimes wooden) picks or brushes that are used to clean between teeth and other hard-to-reach and hard-to-clean areas. They can be great for use with braces or bridges. Interdental cleaners can reach areas not accessible by manual brushing.
