While you should visit your dentist every six months for a routine cleaning, you should also care for your smile at home. You probably know that this means brushing and flossing every day. But do you ever wonder what else you can do to make your at-home oral hygiene as efficient as possible? If you do, you may want to consider adding mouthwash and a tongue scraper to your routine.
Did you know that when you brush you only clean approximately 25% of your mouth? This is one of the reasons mouthwash is so useful. Aside from fighting bad breath, mouthwash can reach different areas of your mouth, and provide a variety of benefits.
For example, some mouthwashes contain alcohol that that kills bacteria faster and more thoroughly than some mouthwashes, though it can cause a burning sensation. Other mouthwashes have fluoride to fight against cavities, and some are designed specifically for children.
Similarly, a tongue scraper is mostly useful for removing bacteria that can cause bad breath. While some people may clean their tongue with a toothbrush, many others find it uncomfortable. Tongue scrapers also come in different sizes because wide tongue scrapers may trigger gag reflex.
But please remember, if you have chronic bad breath, you may be dealing with gum disease and you may need help from a dentist.
Would you like to learn more about what you can do to care for your smile? Are you interested in learning more about how you can hold off gum disease? Would you like to schedule an appointment with our team? If so, please feel free to contact us today. We are excited to hear from you.