When patients come into the office a lot of the same questions are asked like what type of toothpaste is the best for your teeth or what floss you should use. Dr. Laura Ruof, a Smile Obsession Glenview Dentist, answers all your most asked questions about how to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
Composite Veneers vs. Porcelain Veneers - Which is Better?
Once you and your dentist decide that veneers are the best option for you, you’ll have to determine which material you want to go with. Composite resin and porcelain are the two most commonly used materials in veneers.
So which is ultimately better?
Dr. Ruoff, a veneer specialist recommends porcelain veneers as the best choice because they last a lot longer, they’re more durable, and they’re custom fit to your mouth. Porcelain veneers offer the more natural looking tooth-like appearance you’re looking for. Porcelain has a translucent effect and quality to it that is most similar to tooth enamel. While it is true that porcelain veneers are more expensive they are always the better choice.
Regular Toothbrush or Electric Toothbrush?
There is nothing necessarily wrong with using a regular toothbrush. Brushing your teeth is essential, however, brushing your teeth the correct way is even more important. An electric toothbrush just helps us get the job done properly.
Dr. Ruof explains, “I always recommend electric toothbrushes, especially the Sonic ones, they remove more plaque and they’re actually more gentle.”
Electric toothbrushes also have built in timers on them, different settings to brush your gums and teeth, and different options for heads you can use. When you switch to an electric toothbrush you’ll quickly see a big difference.
Conventional Toothpaste or Prescription Toothpaste?
Again, there is nothing wrong with using conventional toothpaste. So many patients use conventional toothpaste! However, if you’re looking for better quality toothpaste that remineralizes and re-hardens the enamel then prescription toothpaste is the way to go. ClinPro and PreviDent are some of the prescription toothpastes recommended at Smile Obsession Dental.
Floss Picks or Regular Floss?
As a daily routine, you should always pick regular floss to reach all the angels of your teeth. A floss pick does not bend efficiently enough to get every crevice of the tooth and they tend to be more aggressive and hurt the gums.
Invisalign/Conventional Braces or At-Home Teeth Straightening Kits?
There is no doubt that Invisalign or conventional braces are the way to go. If you are looking for a beautiful smile with straight teeth then seeing your dentist to get Invisalign or conventional braces is recommended.
Dr. Laura Ruof, an Invisalign provider, explains, “ Like everything in dentistry you really do get what you pay for. Please, choose Invisalign or do conventional brackets and braces with a reputable dentist or an orthodontist. They’re custom made as opposed to the other companies where you take the impression and you mail it off into the ether and then start your orthodontic case. Most importantly, the dentist or orthodontist is able to make adjustments and see you every six to eight weeks, along the length of your case.”
So there you have it! Now, deciding on which toothpaste, floss, and toothbrush to use is an easy decision! At Smile Obsession, we want to make it easy for you to understand the benefits of all your options when it comes to your oral health.
If you have a specific question about a product or any other dental inquiry leave a comment below, give us a call, or schedule an appointment at any of your convenient dental offices in the Chicagoland area. Currently, you can choose between five Smile Obsession Dental locations in Glenview, Naperville, Montgomery, Streamwood, and Wheaton, Illinois. All of our locations offer General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Emergency Dentistry, Preventative Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, and more! Get in touch with us today to learn more about a Smile Obsession dental location near you.
