You might have the best dentist in the world, but the fact remains that 99% of your dental care actually happens at home. Simply brushing and flossing your teeth every day is the best thing you can do to keep your smile healthy, beautiful, and problem-free. However, a quick trip to the store will reveal that there are literally hundreds of different dental products to choose from. Each make their own claims, but which one is right for you? Choosing the right toothpaste, toothbrush, and floss is important since home-care is the primary way you take care of your teeth. To make things a little easier for you, your dentist in Lincoln from Pioneer Greens Dentistry is going to take a little time to discuss different kinds of dental products and help you decide which ones may be best for you.
How to Choose the Right Toothpaste
Whitening? Extra whitening? Pro whitening? Pro extra whitening?
The varieties of toothpaste are seemingly endless, and it can be tough to know which ones will actually help your smile. Despite the various packaging, there are actually only about 4 different kinds of toothpastes:
- Fluoride toothpastes: Everyone should brush with a toothpaste that has fluoride, as it will help strengthen your teeth against tooth decay. The only kind of people who should avoid using fluoride are very young children, but it’s great for everyone else!
- Whitening toothpastes: These will usually have some kind of abrasive element that is meant to literally scrub stains off of your teeth. They won’t provide dramatic results, but they can help your teeth appear slightly brighter. These should be avoided if you have sensitive teeth.
- Sensitive Teeth toothpastes: If you have a few teeth that are extremely sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, these can help lessen the discomfort.
- Children’s toothpastes: These come in a wide variety of colors and flavors to help make brushing fun for children. Just check to see if they contain fluoride or not.
For most people, a standard fluoride toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval is all you need. Of course, if you’re looking to whiten your teeth, have sensitive teeth, or are shopping for a child, then you should go with the other types. Although, the best way to find out exactly what you need is simple: just ask one of our hygienists during your next dental cleaning in Lincoln.
Manual vs. Electric Toothbrush
This is a debate everyone has had with themselves. Which one is best? While clinical studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are better at eliminating plaque on the teeth and gums, the most important factor is actually consistency. Whichever kind of toothbrush you choose will be great just as long as you use it at least twice a day for 2 minutes. Electric toothbrushes tend to work well for children because most of the “hard work” is done for them, but it mostly comes down to simply using it every day to get the most benefits.
Which Floss is Best?
Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth, despite what you may have seen in the news recently. There is quite a variety of products that can help you clean between your teeth, including waxed floss, unwaxed, floss picks, and oral irrigators.
Most of the time, regular floss (waxed or unwaxed) is the best choice, but picks and irrigators may work well in certain situations. Some people like to keep floss picks with them so they can clean their teeth while they are out and about, and oral irrigators can help people who are trying to floss around dental work or orthodontics. In the end, you should be flossing at least once a day, and as long as you’re doing that, your smile will be nice and clean.
Want to Learn More?
Hopefully this will make your next trip to the store a little less confusing. In the end, the most direct way to figure out which products are best for you and your family is to ask your dentist during your next appointment. They’ll be able to evaluate exactly what your smile needs and determine what you should be using at home.
If you’d like to know more about how to choose the right dental products, or if you’d like to come see us and ask in person for a better answer, simply contact our office today.