Poor oral hygiene can lead to various problems, such as bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. It can also spread infections to other parts of your body. Regular visits to your dentist can help prevent these problems, but you should also practice good dental hygiene at home with the following products.
An Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes can reach up to 24,000–48,000 strokes per minute, compared to a manual toothbrush’s max of around 300 strokes. Both types of toothbrushes are effective, but an electric toothbrush can enhance your at-home cleanings and further protect your teeth and gums against the harmful effects of plaque and tartar.
Tongue Scraper
Cleaning your tongue has numerous benefits, including improved breath, enhanced sense of taste, and reduced bacteria that could cause oral health problems. A tongue scraper cleans bacteria between the papillae — hair-like structures on the tongue’s surface.
Water Flosser
Brushing only reaches about 60% of your tooth surfaces, as it fails to reach the spaces between your teeth. A water flosser is similar to what your dentist uses to clean your teeth; using a stream of water effectively removes plaque between the teeth, washes away harmful bacteria, and even removes plaque from the tooth surface.
ADA-Approved Mouthwash
Use an antiseptic mouthwash after each brushing and flossing session to kill bacteria and wash away food particles. Many people use more mouthwash than they need, as it requires only a very small amount to be effective.
Be sure to choose a mouthwash with the American Dental Association’s seal of acceptance to ensure you use a high-quality product. It doesn’t matter whether you have alcohol or not. Both formulas are effective, and people are more likely to tolerate non-alcoholic mouthwash for longer periods, so this could make it a better choice if you find the taste of other mouth rinses overpowering.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
Galleria Dental Aesthetics in McLean, VA, can provide more information on keeping your teeth clean at home. Contact us online or call 703-448-1020 today to schedule your next appointment. Dr. Chong Lee, Dr. Kristen Lee, and Dr. Joseph Oh are here to help you achieve a healthy, happy smile and lasting oral health.