You don’t need a cabinet full of gadgets to keep your mouth healthy. The essentials are short: a soft-bristled toothbrush, manual or electric, a toothpaste you are comfortable using twice a day, and something to clean between your teeth once a day. After that, the products that help most depend on your mouth. A water flosser can make life easier with implants or bridges, floss threaders reach under a bridge, a tongue cleaner helps with breath, xylitol mints help reduce decay risk, and a custom bite guard protects teeth from grinding.
This checklist from the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS walks through what each type of product does, who it suits, and what no product can replace.
The essentials every mouth needs
A soft-bristled toothbrush
Soft bristles clean well without wearing enamel or pushing gums back. Manual and electric toothbrushes can both do an excellent job when used gently for two minutes, twice a day. An electric brush with a timer or pressure sensor can make good technique easier. Read is an electric toothbrush better than manual? Replace your brush or brush head when the bristles look worn. Read how often should I replace my toothbrush?
Toothpaste
Toothpaste helps loosen plaque and freshen your mouth, but the brushing does most of the work. Many toothpastes contain fluoride, and fluoride-free toothpastes are also widely available. For anyone who prefers to avoid fluoride, the practice offers calcium rebuilding treatments to help strengthen enamel for patients of all ages. If you aren’t sure which toothpaste suits your teeth, bring the one you use to your visit and ask. If your teeth are sensitive, be cautious with very gritty or abrasive whitening pastes and powders.
Something to clean between your teeth
A toothbrush can’t reach the tight spaces where teeth touch, and that is where plaque often collects. String floss, floss picks, small interdental brushes and water flossers all have a place. The best choice is the one you will use every day. Read are floss picks as good as regular dental floss? and use five fingers for quick, healthy flossing.
Helpful extras for many people
A water flosser
A water flosser sends a pulsing stream of water between teeth and along the gumline. Many people find it easier than string floss, especially around dental work or with limited hand movement. Read why a water flosser might be a good idea.
Interdental brushes
These tiny brushes fit into wider gaps between teeth, including spaces left by receding gums. They come in several sizes, and your hygienist can suggest which fits.
A tongue cleaner
Bacteria on the back of the tongue are a common source of bad breath. A tongue scraper or the back of your toothbrush can clear them. Read bad breath causes and halitosis treatment.
Xylitol mints and lollipops
Xylitol is a sweetener that plaque bacteria can’t readily use. The practice offers xylitol mints and lollipops, which help reduce decay risk, and they are a better choice than sugary mints when you want something sweet.
A reusable water bottle
Plain water rinses away food and acid and helps with dry mouth. Keeping water nearby also makes it easier to skip sipping juice or soda through the day.
Products for specific situations
Dental bridges
Food can collect under a bridge, where regular floss can’t pass between the joined teeth. A floss threader lets you guide floss under the bridge to clean it.
Dental implants
Implants don’t decay, but the gums around them need careful cleaning. A soft brush, an interdental brush or a water flosser can help at home, and cleanings every three to four months are recommended for patients with implants. Read how to care for dental implants in 4 steps.
Clear aligners
With clear aligners such as Invisalign, the aligners come out to eat, drink and clean your teeth, so you can brush and floss normally. Brush your teeth before putting aligners back in, and keep the aligners clean too.
Grinding and clenching
Grinding slowly wears down and cracks enamel, often without you noticing. Store-bought guards are one-size-fits-most. The practice makes comfortable, clear bite guards custom-made for you to help protect your teeth from further wear. See dental cleanings and preventive care.
Dry mouth
Water, sugar-free choices and xylitol can help day to day. Because medications and dry mouth can set the stage for root decay, mention dry mouth at your checkup so it can be part of your preventive plan.
What about mouthwash?
Mouthwash can freshen breath for a while, and some people like the clean feeling it leaves. It doesn’t remove plaque the way brushing and cleaning between teeth do, and a mouthwash that masks bad breath can hide a problem worth checking, such as gum disease or decay. Some mouthwashes contain alcohol, which can feel drying if you already have a dry mouth. Think of mouthwash as optional, not as a substitute for your routine.
Products to be careful with
- Hard or medium bristles, which can wear enamel and gums. Read smart brushing beats aggressive brushing.
- Abrasive powders and scrubs sold for whitening, which can be hard on enamel.
- Toothpicks used forcefully, which can injure the gums.
- Sugary cough drops and breath mints used all day, which feed plaque bacteria.
- Using your teeth as a tool to open packages or bottles, which can chip teeth and dental work.
Build your routine
- Brush twice a day for two minutes with a soft brush and gentle pressure.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, picks, interdental brushes or a water flosser.
- Clean your tongue.
- Drink water through the day, and choose xylitol over sugary mints.
- Add the products your situation calls for, such as a floss threader or a bite guard.
- Keep your professional cleanings on schedule.
What no product can replace
Even a perfect home routine leaves some plaque behind, and over time it hardens into tartar that only professional instruments can remove. A professional cleaning every six months is recommended, and cleaning appointments at the practice last a full 60 minutes. Digital X-rays, intraoral cameras and DIAGNOdent laser detection help find decay and other problems early, and an oral cancer screening is part of the checkup. Super sealants, which come with a lifetime warranty, and calcium rebuilding treatments add protection no store shelf offers. Your hygienist can also show you where your routine is missing spots. See general dentistry in Timonium and do I need a dental cleaning if I brush and floss?
Paying for your visit
The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. Health savings and flex plans are welcome, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.
Frequently asked questions
What oral care products do I really need?
A soft toothbrush, toothpaste and a way to clean between your teeth. Most other products are helpful extras for particular situations.
Is an electric toothbrush worth it?
It can be, especially if you tend to brush too hard or too briefly, but a manual brush used well cleans effectively too.
Does the practice recommend fluoride toothpaste?
For anyone who prefers to avoid fluoride, the practice offers calcium rebuilding treatments to strengthen enamel instead. Ask Dr. Haywood at your visit which home products suit your teeth.
Do I need a custom bite guard or will a store-bought one do?
If you grind or clench, an exam can show how much wear there is. The practice’s bite guards are comfortable, clear and custom-made for you.
Get personal product advice in Timonium
Bring your toothbrush questions, your floss frustrations and the products you already use to your next cleaning, and the team can help you build a routine that fits your mouth. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093, serving Timonium, Lutherville, Cockeysville, Towson and Hunt Valley. New patients are always welcome.
Ready to see your future smile?
Bring your home care questions to a 60-minute cleaning in Timonium.
