Top 5 tools to clean the teeth and mouth at home

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Top 5 tools to clean the teeth and mouth at home

Keeping the teeth and mouth healthy is done best by following a routine of flossing and brushing in the morning and night. However, there are more ways to elevate your cleaning routine, whether that’s perfecting your brushing technique or using a tool to get a deeper cleaning.

Toothbrushes & interdental brushes

The first and most obvious tool to use to clean the teeth and mouth is a toothbrush! It’s a necessary piece of oral hygiene equipment to have. Toothbrushes have long evolved since the early days of mankind, with major advancements even in the last 200 years, with the first mass production of toothbrushes happening in 1780 through creator William Addis. Addis is thought to be the first to create what is most reminiscent of the contemporary toothbrushes of today.

Whilst each individual will develop their preference to bristle hardness, buying a softer bristled brush is advisable. A softer bristle is less abrasive to the enamel and soft tissues. This allows the teeth to be effectively cleaned without wearing down the enamel or irritating the gums and teeth.

Electric toothbrushes are effective at cleaning the teeth thoroughly with minimal effort from the user. More so, electric toothbrushes can be better for accessibility needs, as it is easier to clean the teeth with less motion needed to operate them.

The Collis curve brush is another product which is accessible to those with sensory needs. It is fantastic for cleaning the base of the teeth and gum line, preventing the chances of plaque build-up.

Interdental brushes are smaller brushes usually wrapped around a wire. It’s a particularly effective tool for cleaning between the teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach. These particular brushes come in a range of sizes, so get a multi-pack and see what size cleans between your teeth and gums most comfortably.

Flossing products

Tooth floss is an essential product, like a toothbrush. Floss is particularly useful for dislodging any remaining food and drink debris. Some people may find string floss fiddly and hard to use on their teeth. That’s where we would recommend something like a floss pick or a water flosser.

Floss picks are toothpick sticks with a Y-shaped top where a strand of floss is. This particular tool is great for single-handed flossing; it is slightly easier to move and control.

Two other alternatives to consider in place of traditional floss would be a water or air flosser. The air flosser combines pressurised water with air to knock any food remnants free. A water flosser is very similar; it utilises a jet of pressurised water to loosen and remove leftover particles.

Tongue scrapers

Tongue scrapers are a tool which can be added into the routine to further clean the tongue. It works by removing the top layer of bacteria and debris. This is ideal to do before brushing the teeth, as the tongue can be brushed, too, ensuring every last bit of bacteria is removed.

Mouthwashes

Mouthwash is an incredibly useful product for applying fluoride to the teeth, which helps to improve the strength of the enamel.  Mouthwash can also help eliminate a bad breath with its typical peppermint scent. 

The trick to using mouthwash is to use it before brushing or as a mid-day alternative to brushing the teeth after a meal. Using mouthwash after brushing can remove the fluoride which has been applied to the toothpaste.

Plaque revealing/ disclosing tablets.

Disclosing tablets are a product which dyes the plaque in the mouth a vivid hue. It’s particularly great for those who aren’t sure they’re cleaning their teeth properly, as it makes the dirtier areas visible to the naked eye.

This product is particularly useful when someone is learning how much pressure to apply when brushing their teeth as it will indicate areas where the teeth are being brushed with not enough pressure. Keeping a healthy smile is simple, utilising the right tools and maintaining a routine with cleaning will help to prevent any issues with the teeth and mouth. We’d be interested to know, will you be combining any of these products into your