If you have ever wondered what you could be doing to improve your oral hygiene routine at home, this is the article for you!
Electric Toothbrush
The best tool and what I advocate the most to my patients is an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are clinically proven to remove more plaque, in turn reducing the amount of tarter that accumulates. Two of my favorite aids that come along with an electric toothbrush are pressure sensors, which allow you to be mindful of the "scrubbing" motion and a 2 minute timer. Brushing for at least 2 minutes is vital in proper brushing.
Flossing
Every patients' favorite question, "Are you flossing everyday?".
There are many reasons why flossing is so beneficial, but here is the biggest reason.
- Your toothbrush bristles can not fully reach in between each tooth, allowing food, drinks, debris, etc consumed throughout the day to sit in between the teeth. This food in turn breaks down causing decay that can only be prevented with a good flossing technique.
You may be wondering, well what is the right flossing technique? STRING FLOSS
String floss is the perfect way to fully reach down into the gum tissue and pull that yummy breakfast out. In the dental field, we call it the "c-shape method". You want to take your string floss, move in a downward motion into the gum tissue and wrap it around each side of the tooth making a c-shape with the floss to fully wrap around and remove debris.
My favorite toothpaste
Sensodyne Pronamel
Sensodyne Pronamel is my top recommended toothpaste. Although this may not be the best option for everyone, many of my patients suffer from severe sensitivity caused by many things:
- areas of recession resulting in root exposure
- generalized normal sensitivity
- acid erosion
- clenching/grinding
Sensodyne pronamel has potassium nitrate, which is an anti-hypersensitivity ingredient. This ingredient absorbs itself in the pores of your enamel strengthening the teeth and reducing the "zinging" you can get from daily life such as water, ice cream, and sweets.
4% Articaine with 1:100,000 epi (local anesthetic cartridge)
Additional Aids
Let's say maybe there are conditions or personal obstacles that do not allow you the physical abilities to use string floss OR you are genetically pre-disposed to building up more tarter than the average person.
This is where a waterpik is one of my favorite additional tools to recommend. The biggest difference is a waterpik is NOT a replacement for flossing. A waterpik only flushes out loose plaque/debris but as an extra aid in conjunction w/ flossing I have noticed huge improvements in many patient's oral health. There are many different types of waterpiks to choose from, each depending on a patient's preference. The 3 ways I recommend using a waterpik are:
- plain water
- ACT mouthrinse diluted w/ waterpik for help w/ plaque removal.
- 3 drops of plain household bleach diluted w/ water-- making sure to use PLAIN bleach.
There are many other tools I recommend as well on a case-by-case basis.