The Best Teeth Care Products

Cleaning your teeth with the proper products can be the difference between having healthy teeth and tooth decay. With the many over-the-counter products available, choosing the correct items to maintain healthy teeth becomes challenging. Advertisements on television and in magazines all rate their oral health products the best. Sticking to the basics and regular visits to your dentist helps maintain the health of your teeth.

Dental Floss

• To maintain healthy teeth, flossing at least once a day is essential. Flossing removes food particles and plaque stuck between your teeth. Dental floss comes in many varieties, ranging from waxed floss and xylitol-coated floss, to tooth-whitening floss and floss picks. Unwaxed floss is easiest to get between your teeth because it's the thinnest. Use a zig-zag motion when flossing, and use a clean piece of floss for each tooth.

Toothpaste

• A toothpaste containing fluoride is most important when it comes to the health of your teeth. Fluoride protects your teeth from cavity-causing sugar and plaque, and strengthens developing teeth. Look for the Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association (ADA) on the toothpaste packaging so you know the product was tested for safety and effectiveness. Choose a fluoride toothpaste that best meets your needs. If your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. If you consume a lot of coffee or tea, a whitening toothpaste may help eliminate surface stains. If you desire to protect your enamel from acid erosion, choose an enamel-strengthening toothpaste.

Toothbrush

• Manual and electric or battery-operated toothbrushes do an equally good job of cleaning teeth. Electric and battery-operated toothbrushes are more expensive, but make brushing more fun. Choose a toothbrush with medium to soft nylon bristles. Avoid hard bristles because these can make your gums bleed. A small toothbrush head is ideal because it enables you to reach hard-to-reach areas. Look for a toothbrush that is ADA-recommended and replace your toothbrush every three months.

Mouthwash

• Mouthwash can be used in addition to your floss and tooth-brushing routine. Swish the liquid between your teeth for 1 minute to rinse away food particles, freshen your breath, and reduce bacteria in your mouth. Mouthwash comes in many varieties, ranging from alcohol-based and non-alcohol based, to whitening and enamel-strengthening rinses. Choose a mouthwash that doesn't contain alcohol if the alcohol-containing rinse causes dry mouth. Dry mouth can trigger tooth decay.