While a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss are three of the most common things that you use at home, there are others that can help keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy and beautiful. Here are five home dental products that everyone should own and use.

 

 

Manual & Electric Toothbrush

The first on our list is an easy one: a toothbrush. You just can’t brush your teeth without a toothbrush.

Most people have a manual toothbrush, but we recommend that you also use an electric toothbrush.

There are several different types of electric toothbrushes to choose from, with the main two types being the kind where the bristles vibrate back and forth and the kind where they rotate back and forth.

A rechargeable electric toothbrush with replacement heads can be an expensive investment, but there are disposal alternatives that you can buy at your local supermarket, department store or pharmacy that are a lot less expensive. Many of these types are colourful or have friendly characters on them, making them a great option for kids.

 

Toothpaste

With so many toothpaste options on the market, choosing the right toothpaste can be tricky.

You want to make sure you choose a fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by strengthening the enamel layer on the outside of your teeth, making them stronger and protecting them against the damaging acids caused by the naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth.

Beyond fluoride, it comes down to whatever your oral health goals are and personal preference. If you want the whitest smile in the room, look for a teeth whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes have teeth whitening ingredients in them but at lower concentrations than the products that dentists use, so they don’t produce as noticeable results as teeth whitening treatments and certainly not in as short a time period.

If you have sensitive teeth then there are toothpastes specially designed for sensitive teeth, but whitening toothpastes can increase the sensitivity of your teeth so you should avoid them.

 

Floss

Just as there are a plethora of toothbrush and toothpaste options, floss manufacturers have come up with an assortment of floss options.

There’s thick floss and thin floss, waxed and unwaxed, spongy and firm. If your teeth are close together then you’ll probably benefit from a thinner floss, and if your gums bleed easily then you’ll want a softer, gentler floss.

You might also consider a water flosser if you want to get the best flossing experience. Water flosser shoot fine jets of water through a nozzle that you direct along your gum line and between your teeth. A water flosser is gentler on your teeth and gums than regular floss can be, but a good water flosser will cost you $60 – 80, so it does require an up-front investment.

Finally, you can also get disposable floss picks, small handheld plastic devices that have a flosser at one end and form into a toothpick point at the other. While they’re great for flossing on the go (keep them in your car and take care of your flossing as you drive to work!), they can be harder on gums, so if you do use them, do so carefully.

 

Mouthwash

Mouthwashes contain anti-bacterial ingredients that can help eliminate leftover bacteria in your mouth after you brush and floss. Because it is also a rinse agent, it can help rinse away leftover food particles.

While most mouthwashes smell strongly of mint and can bust bad breath for a short period of time, they aren’t a long-term solution to chronic halitosis.

There are many mouthwash options on the market, it comes down to which one you like best.

 

Interdental Brushes

While we always encourage flossing, if you simply can’t get into good flossing habits then an interdental brush might be a good alternative.

An interdental brush is a thin, round or cone-shaped brush that you maneuver between your teeth and along your gum line to mechanically remove food particles. Just like a regular toothbrush you rinse them during and between uses, and just like regular toothbrushes they need to be replaced periodically.

 

If you’ve got these five home dental products and use them on a regular basis, you’re probably doing a pretty good job of taking care of your mouth and teeth! But still, make sure to include regular trips to your dentist as part of your oral health and hygiene efforts. Orion Dental provides a full range of dental services for the entire family, and with offices conveniently located in Milton and Scarborough we’re not too far from home! Call one of our offices today and book an appointment!