Five Must-Have’s For Your Bathroom For Optimal Oral Health

GREAT ORAL HEALTH STARTS IN YOUR BATHROOM
Your bathroom is probably full of products for your skin and hair that make you look great, but do you have the right products to get a stunning smile? While visiting your dentist in Chicago, IL at least twice every year for professional cleanings is important, your oral health is chiefly determined by how well you take care of your mouth on your own at home. The team at DentalWorks – Chicago Loop wants to make sure everyone in Chicago, IL has the most important products for a great home oral care routine: a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Read on to discover more about each crucial oral care product and the best way to pick the best ones for your smile.

TOOTHBRUSH
An essential part of any oral health routine is a good toothbrush. Whether you opt for a manual or electric toothbrush, make sure you’re using it twice every day and replacing the brush or brush head every three months or earlier if the bristles are worn.
- ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
  For people in Chicago, IL who have trouble holding or using a manual toothbrush plus anyone who would like to get a deeper clean with less work, an electric toothbrush is a fantastic investment. You can typically find an electric toothbrush (either battery-powered or rechargeable) that meets your budget depending on what features you prefer. Most electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that will make it simpler to brush for a full two minutes. Electric toothbrushes for kids will even play a song that may make it a lot easier to get your children to brush every day.
- MANUAL TOOTHBRUSH
  A traditional manual toothbrush is the least expensive option to keep your teeth clean. In general, dentists recommend choosing a soft-bristled toothbrush and a small head to softly brush your teeth and gums; however, each person should choose whatever size and shape they prefer. For infants and children, buy a toothbrush that fits their age range.
FLOSS
One step too many people skip, flossing is quite important to the health of your teeth and gums. Flossing at least once a day will help remove plaque and debris from between teeth to reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease. If you aren’t a fan of traditional string floss, there are other choices. You might prefer floss picks or an electric flosser. If the spacing between some of your teeth are too tight for floss, you may need to talk to your dentist in Chicago, IL about an orthodontic treatment that will correct the spacing and alignment of your teeth.
- TRADITIONAL WOVEN FLOSS
  Traditional woven floss comes on a spindle in either waxed or unwaxed. Cut off 18 inches (about the length of your elbow to your fingertips) and wrap each end around your index fingers. Gently pull the line of floss between each of your teeth, going to a clean section of floss for each tooth.
- FLOSS PICKS
  If you have trouble holding or using traditional floss, floss picks may be a better choice. Typically, a small handle pre-loaded with a taut line of floss, floss picks are often preferred by adults with arthritis and children. The floss pick may be used to clean in between every tooth.
- INTERDENTAL BRUSH
  Thought by some to be much more effective than traditional floss, an interdental brush is a great alternative for daily cleaning. Interdental brushes look like pipe cleaners with soft bristles attached to a small handle. These brushes come in different sizes, so you may have to try out a few to find one that fits comfortably between all of your teeth. Interdental brushes can be rinsed and reused until the bristles are worn out.
- ELECTRIC FLOSSER
  For people with conventional metal braces and those who don’t like regular floss, an electric flosser may be a fantastic investment. There are several different brands to choose from with lots of features. You’ll need to do a little research to select which type is most appropriate for you. Also known as oral irrigators, most electric flossers are classified as either air or water flossers. A water flosser utilizes a steady stream of water while an air flosser utilizes a smaller amount of water mixed with air, which you direct into the spaces between each of your teeth. Used correctly, an electric flosser can be as effective as traditional floss in removing plaque and lowering the possibility of gum disease.
- TOOTHPASTE
  When you go to the store, you could be overwhelmed with options in toothpaste — all the different flavors, features, brands. Unless your dentist in Chicago, IL has suggested a specific toothpaste or given you a prescription toothpaste, you can choose whatever you would like. You may consider trying a whitening toothpaste or one that’s specially formulated to decrease tooth sensitivity. Try different brands and flavors to find the toothpaste you like best. For children, it is very important to pick a toothpaste for kids since they are safe if accidentally swallowed. Occasionally, people can have an allergic reaction to the gluten, fluoride, or flavor in the toothpaste. If you have severely chapped lips (cheilitis) or a rash around your mouth, try a different toothpaste and then ask your doctor about allergy testing to discover the specific problem.
- MOUTHWASH
  To further enhance both the look of your smile as well as your oral health, add mouthwash to your dental hygiene routine. Different mouthwashes are available over-the-counter to fight cavities, whiten your teeth, freshen your breath, reduce tooth sensitivity, and more. A travel-sized mouthwash is excellent to take with you to work or school so you can rinse away debris and bacteria after eating. After a procedure, for example a root canal, your Chicago, IL dentist may prescribe an antibiotic mouthwash to help eliminate or prevent a bacterial infection.
- TRAVEL SIZES
  Be prepared for a spur-of-the-moment night away from home or vacation with travel-sized toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash to go with your toothbrush. No matter what else you take, every outfit goes with a healthy smile and fresh breath!