Dentists often recommend that you brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day and floss with string floss at least once daily. Still, there are additional ways to help ensure that your teeth remain their cleanest. Here are a few of them:
Use an Oral Irrigator
If you hate using traditional dental floss, an oral irrigator may be a great option for you. An oral irrigator is a dental cleaning device that releases a concentrated stream of water to clear debris from the inter-dental spaces and the areas along the gum line. It can even clear plaque from just below the gum line.
The irrigator includes a reservoir that can be filled with water and a wand that directs the water stream. In addition, the device may include controls that allow you to customize the pressure of the water. Thus, if you have sensitive gums, you can lower the pressure for a more comfortable cleaning experience.
Some oral irrigators even have pulsating features that massage your gums to encourage healthy blood flow.
Have Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned
Even if you brush and floss faithfully, for the cleanest teeth, it's best to have your teeth professionally cleaned at least twice a year. Routine brushing at home removes the soft plaque and particles of food that accumulate on the teeth after a meal or snack. However, once the plaque hardens into tartar, a scaler is needed to remove it.
A scaler is a special scraping tool that a dentist uses to scrape the tartar from the enamel surface. Since tartar develops as plaque is allowed to remain on the teeth for a prolonged period, new tartar formations are constantly developing. Thus, professional dental cleanings should be performed periodically.
Tartar has a dull, yellow appearance. As a result, once the substance is removed, the teeth appear brighter and whiter.
Sugar-free Whitening Gum
Chewing sugarless gum after you eat can help remove plaque and leftover particles of food. However, the gum can also help remove surface stains from the teeth.
Sugar-free whitening gum cleans the teeth and gently polishes away stains. The gum contains slightly abrasive ingredients, such as titanium dioxide or sodium bicarbonate. As you chew, the ingredients help prevent food-based pigments or colorants from becoming trapped in the pores of the teeth. Thus, the teeth remain whiter.
If you would like to have your teeth professionally cleaned, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your local area. For more information, contact a company like Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today.
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