Recommended Products

Brush twice daily for 2 minutes each time and floss every night.

Whether you're 5, 30 or 65 years old, the recommended oral health care routine is still the same, though specific products may be recommended for you depending on your individual needs.

You've heard it before. Us hygienists sound like a broken record when it comes to talking about the importance of flossing. The only way to clean between your teeth is with floss, or a flossing alternative. Brushing alone will not clean in between your teeth. When you don't floss, you miss cleaning about 40% of your tooth surfaces.

Here are just a few of my favourite/recommended products to help maintain optimal oral health

Electric Toothbrush

This is something that I would recommend to all of my clients. Electric toothbrushes are known to be more effective at removing plaque due to the rapid movement of the bristles. They have an internal 2 minute timer to ensure that you brush for the full 2 minutes morning and night. If you're worried that you aren't brushing well enough, many of these toothbrushes come with an app to connect your phone to, to track areas that are being missed. Many also have pressure sensors to ensure that you are not brushing too hard. The two most widely known brands are Sonicare and Oral-B. A great option for kids as they often have fun interactive options!

Soft or Extra Soft Manual Toothbrush

If you've tried an electric toothbrush, and you just can't seem to get into it. Or, if for financial reasons, a manual toothbrush suits you best, then I will also recommend either a soft or extra soft manual toothbrush. If bristles are too hard, of if you apply too much pressure, you could eventually wear away at the enamel and expose the underlying tooth structure. These lesions are known as abrasion.

Floss Picks

If you have general healthy gums, i.e. no bone loss, floss picks are a great way to easily floss between your teeth, if used properly. Park yourself in front of the TV and get flossing! Though they can produce quite a bit of waste, there are eco-friendly, compostable options as well.

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Oral-B Superfloss

If you have fixed orthodontic wires, or bridges, Oral-B Superfloss is an excellent interdental aid to easily get underneath/in between. Forget fiddling around with traditional floss thrashers. The Superfloss is an all-in-one with a stiff end to easily loop underneath. It also has a spongy portion to better remove debris.

Water Flosser

Water flossers are a great interdental aid as they can get hard-to-reach areas like deep pockets, under bridges, under fixed orthodontic wires, around implants, etc. Though I would not necessarily say that this is a flossing alternative. Instead, they are best used in conjunction with flossing. Floss first to loosen any debris, use water flosser afterward to flush away the debris. If you have limited dexterity and simply cannot use floss, the water flosser is an excellent choice. I always recommend that my clients watch a Youtube video for proper use.

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Mouthwash

Mouthwash is a great adjunct to your home care routine. It has antibacterial properties to help prevent gum disease and cavities. Always ensure to use an alcohol-free mouth wash, as the alcohol can dry out the tissues and cause more harm.

Tongue Cleaner

Ever think about the bacteria on your tongue? If the top of your tongue is discoloured - white, brown, etc., this is an accumulation of bacteria on your tongue. By using a tongue cleaner, you can remove bad-breath causing bacteria.