We know that you are working hard to care for your smile day in and day out, but are your dental tools pulling their weight? This article from our Mill Valley dentists is all about key considerations to keep in mind when you are evaluating dental tools. Keep reading to learn more…
Commonly Used Tools
The primary tools used to clean your smile at home are the toothbrush and floss. The toothbrush is designed to gently clean bacteria from the flat surfaces of your smile. You will move the brush from tooth to tooth, focusing on applying light, even pressure across your smile. Floss enables you to get rid of bacteria that is wedged between your teeth and along your gum line.
Size
Remember that these oral hygiene tools are only effective when they are able to reach those hard-to-access spaces in your mouth that tend to accumulate plaque. For that reason, your toothbrush head should be small enough to fit into the back corners of your smile. You also want to be sure to pick a width of floss that will allow you to clean between all of your teeth—threads that are too thick can decrease the efficacy of your routine.
Abrasiveness
We also encourage our patients to choose the gentlest oral hygiene tools possible, without sacrificing cleaning quality. Toothbrush bristles, for example, come in everything from “soft” to “extra firm.” Choosing the right bristle strength for you, and applying light pressure to your teeth and gums, will help you maintain a strong and healthy smile for the long-term.
If you are interested in improving your dental routine, or if you’re looking for additional guidance and information, please reach out to our Mill Valley dentists for help. We look forward to speaking with you!