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Are you equipped with the right tools for maintaining your oral health?
Stockbyte/ThinkstockAs you recline in the dentist's chair, you’re surrounded by an array of dental instruments, from gleaming picks to precision drills and UV light devices. Understanding the function of each tool can feel overwhelming. However, your hygienist and dentist consistently emphasize that the most critical tools for maintaining excellent dental health are the ones you use daily at home. How is this possible?
Maintaining the health of your 32 teeth — or 28 if you’ve had your wisdom teeth removed — largely depends on your daily habits and the tools you use at home. While exploring some of these essential dental tools, remember that oral health is influenced by various factors, such as genetics, diet, stress, and lifestyle choices. Since your dentist is undoubtedly your mouth’s biggest advocate, it’s wise to consult them before introducing a new dental tool into your routine. Additionally, never replace professional dental checkups with at-home care alone.
This article highlights dependable dental tools known for their safety and effectiveness. Often, it’s the simplest tools that deliver the best results.
Dentists suggest that every home should have our first two tools — even our ancestors developed their own versions. Turn to the next page to discover more.
5: Toothbrush and Floss
Brushing and flossing not only leave your mouth feeling fresh but also serve a crucial purpose in maintaining oral health.
Using a toothbrush and floss helps eliminate small food particles and plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth. These bacteria thrive on the sugars from your food, producing acids that can gradually erode your tooth enamel.
Dental professionals stress the significance of toothbrushes as they effectively eliminate bacteria from your teeth on a regular basis. Many dental issues that require a dentist’s attention — costing you time, money, and possibly discomfort — could often be prevented through consistent daily brushing.
Flossing helps remove food debris and plaque from hard-to-reach areas in your mouth that a toothbrush can’t fully clean. While flossing after brushing isn’t harmful, dentists recommend flossing first to ensure fluoride, a key ingredient for strengthening tooth enamel, can better penetrate the spaces between your teeth [source: American Dental Association].
Even for those who brush and floss diligently, plaque can still accumulate. Discover a unique method to address this issue on the following page.
While modern plastic-bristled toothbrushes emerged in the 1930s, ancient civilizations developed their own solutions for dental care. One early version, known as a "chew stick," dates back to around 3000 B.C. [source: The Library of Congress].
4: Dental Plaque Staining
Who would have imagined that staining your teeth could be beneficial? At least temporarily, it can be.
Dental plaque staining is a useful technique to identify areas you might be overlooking during your daily brushing and flossing routine. While the idea of staining your teeth may seem odd, it’s both safe and temporary.
Plaque staining kits for home use typically include chewable tablets that you spread across your teeth and then rinse off with water. For example, if your kit contains red tablets, after chewing and rinsing, you’ll notice a light pink tint on your teeth when you smile.
The dye adheres to plaque-heavy areas on your teeth, providing a clear visual of where buildup exists. This method operates similarly to a UV light revealing stains on a carpet. Some plaque-detecting dyes even glow under UV light for enhanced visibility.
If you’re looking to improve your dental health but struggle to identify trouble spots, dental plaque staining tools can be a game-changer.
Next, we’ll explore a dental tool commonly found on your dentist’s hygiene tray during checkups.
3: Mouth Mirror
Mouth mirrors, like those used at the dentist’s office, can help you maintain excellent dental health from home.
These slender mirrors serve as indirect aids, highlighting areas you might miss during regular brushing and flossing. They can also help you spot discoloration or even detect early signs of cavities, which often form sensitive spots on your teeth.
If you have fillings or other dental work that requires monitoring, these mirrors simplify the process. Be sure to consult your dentist about what to watch for during your self-examinations.
If you’re intrigued by the intricate details of your teeth, a mouth mirror offers a closer look at their unique textures and ridges.
While dental hygiene often focuses on teeth, your tongue can be overlooked — unless you use our next recommended tool.
2: Tongue Scraper
Tongue scrapers have been proven to temporarily reduce bad breath symptoms [source: Outhouse et al.]. But what exactly do they do?
These tools remove bacteria and fungi that accumulate on your tongue’s surface. By gently pulling the scraper from the back to the front of your tongue, you effectively clear away microorganisms that have settled there.
Research shows that tongue scrapers can decrease volatile sulfur compounds, which are linked to bad breath [source: Outhouse et al.]. Remember to use these tools gently — the goal is to eliminate surface bacteria without harming your tongue.
For individuals with persistent bad breath, consulting a dentist or doctor is advised, as chronic bad breath might indicate an underlying health issue. While the benefits of tongue scrapers are modest, they can be a helpful solution for temporarily alleviating bad breath.
Next, we’ll explore interdental cleaners and their role in oral hygiene.
The American Dental Association evaluates the efficacy of various products, such as toothpastes, toothbrushes, flosses, rinses, and other tools. While the ADA seal helps guide consumers, it’s important to note that product submissions are voluntary, meaning not all dental tools undergo this assessment [source: American Dental Association].
1: Interdental Cleaner
If traditional floss isn’t doing the job, interdental cleaners might be worth considering.
These brush-like tools are designed to fit into the tight spaces between teeth. They’re especially helpful for those with braces, as they can remove debris trapped between teeth and metal brackets. Some are disposable, while others come with reusable handles featuring vibrating motors for enhanced cleaning.
Another type of interdental cleaner, known as an oral irrigator, functions similarly to flossing by using water jets to remove bacteria and food particles from between teeth. While these tools are effective, they should complement, not replace, regular brushing and flossing.
Want to discover more about effective dental tools? Explore additional resources on the following page.
Identifying the best dental tools can be challenging. Some companies promote their products as preventive solutions for improving oral health, but not all are necessary for the average person. For example, dental scalers are often marketed for plaque removal, but they’re typically intended for use by professionals and may not benefit individuals without gum disease [source: Beirne et al.]. These tools are primarily used for patients with a history of gum issues.
