Taking the time to pick out high-quality, appropriate dental tools for your smile can make a big difference down the road. Here are some things our Saint Louis dentists encourage you to keep in mind when choosing dental products…

Size

The first thing to consider is whether the tool or product you are using is appropriately sized for your mouth. The head of your toothbrush, for example, needs to be small enough to reach your back molars. Floss should be thin enough to fit between all of your teeth to get that hard-to-reach plaque. Remember, bigger isn’t always better—make sure it works for you.

Abrasiveness

Obviously cleaning products need to be a little abrasive so that they can remove plaque and dental debris. The problem is that there is a thin line between “effective” and “too abrasive.” While we want to clean our teeth and gums, we don’t want to inadvertently cause enamel erosion or gum tissue damage. That is why the general recommendation from the ADA is that patients use the gentlest tools they can, while still achieving their oral hygiene goals. Our dental team can help you figure out what tools are safe for you. 

Preference

Finally, there are a number of product attributes that simply come down to personal preference. The flavor of your floss, for example, doesn’t really make a difference in cleaning ability, but it does affect whether or not you’ll use floss every day. Pick what you like, so that you’ll be more likely to stick with your routine!

If you have any more questions about evaluating dental tools, please reach out to our Saint Louis dentists for more information. We look forward to speaking with you!