Tips for Choosing the Right Dental Products

With so many dental products available, it can be overwhelming trying to choose which ones to buy.

Brushing twice a day, flossing daily and regular dental check ups are the key factors in maintaining a healthy mouth and avoiding dental problems.

The tips listed here will help you in choosing important dental products.

Choosing a Toothbrush

Any toothbrush that you choose should have soft bristles and feel comfortable in your hand. Choosing between a manual and an electric toothbrush is a decision that you can make depending on your lifestyle and situation.

# Manual Toothbrushes

If you prefer a manual toothbrush, make sure that the tip is small enough to reach all areas of your mouth easily. For children, be sure to choose a child size toothbrush with soft bristles. A manual toothbrush works just fine using the recommended back and forth brushing motion.

# Electric Toothbrushes

People with arthritis or arm and shoulder problems might prefer an electric toothbrush for convenience as well as comfort.

If purchasing an electric toothbrush, be sure that the head is soft and the bristles move in a back and forth motion.

Dental Floss

Whether you choose regular dental floss or dental flossers depends on your personal convenience and comfort. They are both designed to remove cavity causing plaque and food debris from in between your teeth.

When flossing with either product, be sure to gently insert the floss in between the teeth, without snapping, which could damage the gum tissue. Gently move the floss up and down into the spaces between the gum and teeth moving towards the gumline. Floss each side of your tooth, even if there isn't a tooth next to it.

# Dental Flossers

I personally prefer to use a dental flosser because it seems to make flossing so much easier than conventional dental floss.

# Conventional Dental Floss

If you decide to use regular dental floss, tear off a piece at least 18 inches long and wind it around your two index fingers. Hold the floss tightly between your index fingers and thumbs and guide the floss softly in between your teeth.

# Floss Threader

If you have a fixed dental bridge in your mouth, you can floss underneath it using a floss threader. Floss threaders also work great for people who wear braces.

Toothpaste

In June of 2007, the FDA issued a poisonous toothpaste alert for any toothpaste made in China. A week after this alert was issued, counterfeit tubes of Colgate toothpaste that possibly contain the deadly chemical Diethylene Glycol, were found in the United States. If you live in the United States, you can check dental products to make sure that they contain the seal of acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA), which ensures that they have been tested and found to be safe. If you live outside of the United States, make sure that Diethylene Glycol is not listed in the ingredients of any toothpaste products that you are considering purchasing or using.

Choosing a toothpaste that contains fluoride, will help to prevent cavities. Some factors of choosing toothpastes are usually personal preferences, such as flavor, whitening, tartar control and price. If you have small children, you might want to try some fun flavored children's fluoride toothpaste. When applying toothpaste to your toothbrush, you only need to use about a pea size amount.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash can be beneficial to kill germs and fight bacteria that can lead to cavities. A mouthwash containing fluoride can even help protect your teeth from cavities. Ingredients, flavor and price are factors to considering in choosing a mouthwash. Many mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can dry up the protective saliva in your mouth, so you may want to ask your dentist to recommend one for you. A mouthwash is a great dental product, but it cannot replace flossing and brushing. If you decide to use a mouthwash, be sure to use it in conjunction with brushing and flossing.

The Bottom Line

There are many dental products available to make brushing and flossing easier, but the bottom line is that you don't have to spend a lot of money to have good oral hygiene. Be sure to have regular check ups with your dentist and ask him / her for any personal recommendations on dental products if you have special conditions. Most dentists will also provide you with samples of various dental products. This is a great way to find out if you like a certain dental product before investing in it.