Everything You Need in Your Oral Hygiene Kit
Oral health is not something you should think about only when you take a trip to your favorite Elko-based dental office. You should be working on it every day, but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. Getting the right tools to optimize your oral health is relatively cheap and easy. Here is everything you need in your oral hygiene kit.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
These two items go together better than peanut butter and jelly. You can have peanut butter without the jelly, but trying to use toothpaste without a brush does not work as well. Using your finger is better than nothing, but you won’t get to all the crevices that a toothbrush can reach.
The great thing about this combo is it can be inexpensive. You can buy both items in a single trip to the grocery store for about ten dollars, and they tend to last a while.
Dental Floss
This one is easy to forget, but there are some great benefits to using dental floss. Not only does it take away food particles between the teeth, it removes plaque, gets rid of bacteria that cause bad breath, and even lowers your risk of developing cavities.
Flossing once a day is probably enough, but it is best to do it before brushing your teeth. This makes it so you are cleaning away particles that have been loosened.
Mouthwash
You should not use mouthwash as a replacement for your toothbrush and toothpaste, but it can be a good addition to your oral health. There are certain areas that might not be easy for a toothbrush to reach, and mouthwash can help with that.
Your mouthwash may contain chemicals that react in certain ways with your toothpaste. So it is important to read the label to see if the manufacturer recommends a certain way to use the product.
If you have children under six years old, you should not let them use it. If they do, they can accidentally swallow too much.
Teeth Whiteners
These over-the-counter products are effective at removing stains from your teeth by using peroxide-based chemicals to bleach them. Whiteners can come in different forms including strips, gels that you paint on your teeth, and even toothpaste.
While they can help your teeth look better, there is evidence that the ones with hydrogen peroxide may be harmful. So it is a good idea to talk with your dentist if you are thinking of using these products.
Even if your teeth are immaculately white and you’re religious at brushing and flossing, scheduling regular dental checkups is a must. You don’t want to chance to miss a cavity and end up with a root canal. Don’t have a regular dentist? Call the dental team at AnyDay Dental in Elko, Nevada for flexible scheduling and great dental care.