Even if you’re dedicated to proper dental care, standing in front of the mirror just to brush and floss with the same teeth cleaning tools can sometimes feel like a chore. Instead of losing interest in this essential hygiene task, spice up your routine with some new equipment. The following alternatives shouldn’t replace traditional brushing and flossing, but they may just inspire you to spend a few more minutes over the sink on occasion. 

3 Teeth Cleaning Tools Other Than Traditional Floss

1. Water Picks

This futuristic-looking device might remind you of the tool a dentist uses to wash away toothpaste or fluoride during a teeth cleaning session. It’s sometimes called an oral pulsating irrigator, and it’s essentially used to blast food particles out from in between your teeth with a narrow stream of water. It’s not as effective as standard floss at removing plaque as brushing and flossing, but it will reduce the number of bacteria that sit under the gumline. 

2. Interdental Brushes

You use a brush to clean the outer surfaces of your smile, so why wouldn’t you do the same for the small gaps in between your teeth? While toothbrushes certainly won’t fit, interdental brushes are designed to enter the same space that dental floss does. These come in disposable and permanent varieties, with either short bristles or rubber ridges for scrubbing out food particles and bacteria.

3. Floss Picks

If you have a hard time wrapping traditional floss around your fingers without hurting your skin, try using a floss pick. These teeth cleaning tools feature one end that looks like a slingshot, with a small piece of dental floss strung between two plastic prongs. That way, you can simply insert the floss between your teeth and pull it out by the handle. The other end features a skinny plastic pick for scraping out stubborn plaque or food particles.

If you’re interested in improving your teeth cleaning routine, turn to Legacy Dental Arts for some professional advice. Based in Eagle River, AK, this spa-like dental office is committed to providing a relaxing experience for all their patients, complete with massage chairs and TVs. They also prioritize dental health by using top-quality tools like 3D X-rays and ultrasonic scalers. For more information on their services, visit the website. You can also schedule a teeth cleaning appointment by calling  (907) 622-7874.