Everyone knows that a quality toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss are building blocks of good oral hygiene. However, dental experts recommend additional tools for patients to use at home, in order to promote optimally healthy and clean teeth. Our Macon family dentist suggests the use of five essential dental tools.
Mouth Rinse
Daily use of an antiseptic mouthwash offers many benefits. Among the most prominent are fighting the bacteria that remains after brushing and washing away any stuck food. Additionally, mouthwash freshens your breath by killing the bacteria and through the flavor of the wash. Mouthwash is an important addition to your dental hygiene routine, but it is not sufficiently able to replace brushing and flossing. These tools work together to keep your teeth at their prime.
Mouth Mirror
If you regularly visit your Macon family dentist, you are probably familiar with the mouth mirror our dental assistants use. This tool is a fun and useful option to stay on top of your dental hygiene. The mouth mirror helps by allowing you to see areas in your mouth you may be missing when flossing or brushing. Additionally, the mouth mirror can help you detect discoloration or cavities, as well as letting you keep an eye on any fillings or dental crowns you have in place.
Tongue Scraper
It’s commonly known that the tongue is the “bacteria motherload” of the mouth. That’s why your North Macon dentist urges patients to brush their tongue daily, as well as their teeth. A tongue scraper can make the process more successful. This tool specializes in removing bacteria and “gunk” that your toothbrush misses.
Interdental Brush
Brushing a tooth only allows you to clean about 40% of its total surface. The rest of the tooth is lodged in interdental spaces. These areas between the teeth are typically targeted through flossing. Sometimes, however, flossing alone may not do the trick. There are a variety of interdental tools to assist in removing the food and bacteria that can break down your teeth from these tricky, interdental locations. The interdental brush is similar to those used by individuals with braces to clean between the wires and brackets. The bristles of the interdental brush successfully remove plaque between the teeth and, unlike floss, do not cut or damage the gums.
Water Irrigator
Water irrigators are another type of interdental cleaner. This tool shoots water at a high speed into the mouth, to remove food and bacteria that may be stuck in the interdental spaces. Water irrigators can be useful tools to aid in your at-home care, but it is not a replacement for brushing or flossing.
Visit Your Macon Family Dentist
Regular use of these dental tools can help you keep your mouth and teeth as clean as you can from home. While these tools make dental hygiene easier and more enjoyable, it is important to use one more tool—your Macon dentist! Regular cleanings and dental checkups are the final piece of a healthy oral hygiene routine. If you have questions about your oral hygiene or general dentistry treatment options, contact our staff today. You can also schedule an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you smile!