In addition to your toothbrush and toothpaste, there are numerous other dental products you should consider using to maintain oral hygiene. They provide deeper gum and teeth cleaning to reduce mouth bacteria, plaque, and tartar in between visits to the dentist. Review suggested products below to determine what your bathroom counter needs. 

What Oral Hygiene Products Should You Start Using?

1. Mouthwash

Some varieties of mouthwash simply freshen your breath, while others include fluoride to strengthen enamel, or the protective outer shell covering your teeth. Fluoride helps remineralize minor enamel losses from acidic and sugary foods and beverages to help prevent tooth decay. There are also anti-tartar mouthwashes that help kill bacteria and subsequently curb plaque and tartar growth for pink, healthy gums. 

Plaque is a sticky biofilm that forms on your teeth when you consume sugary foods and drinks, while tartar is its hardened counterpart that accumulates under the gum tissue. Discuss the right mouthwash for your oral hygiene needs with a dentist. 

2. Floss Alternatives

Flossing can be problematic for assorted reasons, such as issues fitting the filament between teeth or mobility challenges. The practice is an integral part of teeth cleaning because it removes food debris and bacteria from between the teeth and gums, so look for alternatives that accommodate your preferences. 

Dental picks with plastic handles allow you to carefully remove debris from between each tooth, while oral irrigators use water to clean between the teeth and gums. The latter product is especially ideal if you have mobility issues since you glide the tool along the gumline to remove bacteria, food particles, and plaque. 

3. Dental Mirror

Cleaning the molars in the back of your mouth gets easier when you use a dental mirror or a round, tiny mirror with a long handle. The tool lets you see every molar crevice to remove debris with your toothbrush, as well as food trapped along the gumline for more efficient flossing. 

Using a mirror also allows you to identify cavities and abscesses in their early stages for immediate treatment by a dentist. 

Maintain your oral hygiene with dental care products and services from St. Clair Dental Center, the renowned practice serving residents throughout Anchorage, AK. Led by Dr. Richard Wells Mittelstadt, this dental office uses the latest oral health techniques to keep patients smiling. Call (907) 272-9214 today to make an appointment or visit the dentist online for more information about their services.