Chances are your daily oral hygiene routine already involves using a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss. And while those are the foundation of a healthy mouth and bright smile, there are some other tools your dentist would like to see you using every day. 

What Are Some Dental Tools You Should Use Every Day?

1. Tongue Scraper

Throughout the day, bacteria build up on your tongue; if it’s not removed, it can lead to everything from bad breath to heart disease. Although you can remove some bacteria from your tongue using the toothbrush, a plastic or metal tongue scraper does a more thorough job.

Simply run the scraper over your tongue after brushing and flossing and rinse, and you’ll have a cleaner, fresher mouth. 

2. Mouthwash

Swishing a capful of mouthwash after brushing and flossing does more than give you minty fresh breath. A high-quality, dentist-recommended mouthwash helps rinse away any debris that may have been left behind and kills bacteria that leads to tooth decay and bad breath.

Some mouthwashes can even help solve common tooth or oral health issues. For example, certain formulas can help strengthen teeth and reduce sensitivity by remineralizing tooth enamel.

3. Dental Mirror

With a dental mirror, like the one your dentist uses, you can see all sides of both your lower and upper teeth to make sure you’ve thoroughly cleaned all debris, and there's nothing left behind that can cause trouble.

Using a dental mirror can also help you spot signs of trouble, such as possible cavities, in your back teeth in between visits to the dentist and before they become a major issue.

4. Flossing Aids

To make the process easier, invest in some tools, such as dental picks or a water flosser or irrigator. Dental picks or sticks have pre-strung lengths of floss, and the small handles make it easier to clean in hard to reach places.

A water pick uses a pressurized stream of water to clean between the teeth and rinse away debris and bacteria. It might be a more comfortable option than traditional dental floss and encourage you to do it more often. 

Even when you use the right tools to care for your teeth, regular visits to the dentist are still an important part of a healthy mouth. For compassionate, comprehensive dental care in Homer and Barrow, AK, turn to the skilled team at Preventive Dental Services PC. These professionals provide patients with a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry services, including exams and whitening. View their full list of services online or call (907) 235-1286 to schedule an appointment.