For most of us, dental hygiene is often high on our list of priorities. We make sure to brush and floss our teeth daily while visiting our Boise dentist for checkups and cleanings. Since we all desire a healthy, white smile, we all know it’s important to prevent things like cavities and gum disease. However, with so many dental hygiene products on the market, it can often be difficult to know which ones are right for you. With every television commercial telling us something different, it can be tough to decipher the advertisements and get to the facts. That’s why Summit Dental would like to provide you with the following guide for choosing the best dental hygiene products for you.
A water flosser is used to shoot pressurized water into the mouth to rid it of unwanted food particles, bacteria, and plaque from between teeth while massaging the gums. Since there is no scraping against your gums, water flossing can often be a good choice for those with gum sensitivity. It can also be a good oral hygiene tool for those with braces or other Boise dental work like crowns and bridges. While a water flosser can be much more expensive compared to a traditional pack of floss, it will last longer. However, water flossing may not remove all unwanted plaque from your teeth. You will also need access to a power outlet and plenty of water to fill the machine which can make it difficult to use while traveling.
Traditional floss has been around since the 1800’s and is still considered one of the best products to use for dental hygiene. The string works to remove bacteria, plaque, and unwanted food particles from between teeth and the gum line that brushing does not. Traditional floss is also affordable, easy to control and portable. However, it can be difficult to reach areas in the back of the mouth. It can also cause minor bleeding and gum sensitivity — especially if it’s not used on a regular basis.
An electric toothbrush has become increasingly popular over the past decade for a variety of good reasons. Studies have shown that people who use an electric toothbrush develop less plaque and are at a lower risk of developing gum disease. They are also very easy to use and are a great option for children and adults who have trouble brushing their teeth completely. However, an electric toothbrush does come with some caveats. Because it’s electric, it must be charged which makes traveling with it a chore. It’s also much bulkier than a manual toothbrush and can be expensive to replace.
Like traditional floss, a manual toothbrush still does a good job of keeping teeth and gums clean. A manual toothbrush is also a relatively cheaper and more reliable compared to its electric counterpart. Not to mention your Boise dentist will provide you with a new one each time you visit Summit Dental for an exam and cleaning. They also come in a variety of color and size choices depending on your individual needs and preferences. With a manual toothbrush, there is no need to worry about charging it or replacing batteries and is small enough to travel with comfortably. However, with a manual toothbrush, you will have to do all the work and use proper techniques to clean teeth effectively.
Determining which oral hygiene product is best depends on your personal preference. Simply put, what feels better for your mouth? Do you prefer the ease of a water flosser and an electric toothbrush or do you prefer the traditional and affordable options of floss and a manual toothbrush? Even with constant dental studies performed, there is no real winner. Instead, each of these products will do the job well. The most important thing is consistency and visiting your Boise dentist on a regular basis to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
It’s important to spend a little time researching the oral health care products you use to maintain the long-term health of your teeth and gums. At Summit Dental Group we believe that preventative care and education are extremely important to optimal dental health. We focus on thorough exams, checking the overall health of teeth and gums, knowing how crucial this is to preventing dental disease.
Not only are we concerned about the beauty of our patient’s smile, we are also concerned about the overall health of our patients. Whether your dental needs are a complete exam and cleaning, a full mouth restoration, or anything in between, Summit Dental Group will provide exceptional care as we restore and enhance the natural beauty of your smile.
If you are looking for safe, effective oral health care services, contact us at (208) 314-2275 to schedule an appointment.
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