Dental Tools for Home Use
Although most people visit the dentist every six months, there is a lot of dental work that can be done at home. Often, these practices are neglected, contributing directly to the development of cavities (caries) and tartar. Caries end up in expensive dental treatment, including extractions, and tartar, plaque and calculus can cause serious gum problems. Armed with good dental tools, you can implement a proper dental regimen at home and minimize the treatment you will need at your next visit.
Other People Are Reading
-
Dental Floss
-
Use dental floss daily The cheapest and most readily available dental tool for home use is dental floss. The American Dental Hygienist Association reports that only 55 percent of the population flosses daily. Of these, 67 percent indicated that they floss before going to bed. Most people brush their teeth regularly, but if you don't floss, the job is about half-done. Areas in between teeth and gum area make up a significant portion of your teeth.
Dental Scaler
-
Scalers are available at most drugstores. These instruments are used at all dental offices to remove stains, tartar and plaque. Stains can be located on any part of the tooth, but especially on the back (lingual) portion of the teeth. Scalers can be used to scrape off all surfaces, including the gum line area; they help to prevent build-up and keep gums in optimal condition.
-
Dental Mirror
-
Due to the small size of your mouth, a dental mirror is essential in examining it. As often as needed, use a dental mirror in front of a well-lit bathroom mirror to check the condition of your gums and gum line. Look for swelling or discoloration; examine stains; check teeth for cavities. When using a dental scaler, hold the mirror in a position that reflects the stain, look into the bathroom mirror and scrape the stain off with your other hand.
Dental Pick
-
If you tend to trap large food particles between your teeth at the gum line, the use of a dental pick is effective in removing larger particles. Start from the gum line and drag the particle upwards and out of your mouth. While picks function much like dental floss, the floss accesses below the gum line, making it essential even with regular use of a dental pick. In conjunction, the two tools keep your gums free of all debris.
The Basics
-
The essential toothbrush and tootpaste The use of a quality toothbrush is perhaps the most important home dental tool. The bristles should be soft so as not to damage tooth enamel. Hard-bristled brushes can also cause gum recession. For easier brushing, use a power toothbrush, but proper usage of a manual toothbrush is just as effective. Brushing should focus on the whole tooth, including the spaces in between and close to the gum line. The American Dental Association recommends the use of a fluoride toothpaste with regular brushing, to prevent cavities.
Regularity
-
Developing a regimen of daily dental care is vital to good dental health. With a little bit of commitment, you can help to minimize the need for dental treatments. Even with excellent home care, however, you should visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning, as the dentist can reach and examine spots that can't be done at home, even with good dental tools.
-
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jessica Merz Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of D. Sharon Pruitt Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Jeremy
