Taking care of your teeth shouldn’t be as complicated as it may seem. Maintaining healthy oral hygiene and keeping your teeth strong is fairly simple when you follow a few dental do’s and dont’s! What makes deciding what’s best for your teeth so difficult? Well, there are constantly new trends happening such as charcoal toothpaste or other teeth whitening options. At Smile Obsession Dental, we are here to debunk some of these dental trends and help you take care of your teeth!
1. Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual Toothbrush
If you haven’t already switched to an electric toothbrush here is your sign to switch! An electric toothbrush can remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush and it’s more gentle on the gums which protects them! The vibrations from the bristles are simply more effective than a manual toothbrush.
2. Water Flosser / Water Pick
For many of you, a waterpik or water flosser might be a brand new term for you! A water flosser allows you to easily remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach places in your mouth. A water flosser is less abrasive and more gentle than traditional floss. If you are considering getting a water flosser and you’re not sure if it will work for you, our dentists at Smile Obsession are giving you the green light.
According to Medical News Today, “Researchers found that those who used a Waterpik had a 74.4 percent reduction in plaque as compared to a 57.7 percent reduction with those who used string floss.”
3. Charcoal Toothpaste
Charcoal toothpaste along with charcoal face masks, charcoal in vitamins, and so much more has been a trend for many people. However, does charcoal toothpaste really help to whiten your teeth? Dr. Laura Ruof, a 14-year dental veteran and dentist in Glenview at our Smile Obsession location explains, “ Charcoal absorbs minerals in the body, meaning if you’re brushing your teeth with it you’re swallowing some of it and it’s absorbing the calcium, magnesium, and all other minerals you need in your saliva to keep your enamel strong.” Charcoal is also proven to be very abrasive giving the look of “whiter” teeth when in reality you’re just chipping away at your enamel which protects your teeth.
If your goal is to get whiter teeth then you’re better off getting a professional teeth whitening service at your local dentist. At Smile Obsession Dental, all of our dental offices offer Philips Zoom Teeth Whitening which can whiten your teeth up to 8 shades in less than 45 minutes. If you are worried about the cost of teeth whitening compared to using something like charcoal, we are dentists with payment plans, CareCredit, and Sunbit financing. You can get instantly approved and get the smile you deserve.
4. Tongue Scraper
A tongue scraper is a definite yes and dental DO! A tongue scraper removes extra particles that can cause bad breath, removes bacteria, improves oral health, and improves the appearance of your tongue. If you’ve chosen to opt-in and get an electric toothbrush you can easily change the head of your electric toothbrush to a tongue scraper in a matter of seconds.
5. 3-Month Dental Visit
If you haven’t seen the dentist recently or you’ve waited even more than 3 months – schedule your appointment today! While you get a check-up every 6 months through your insurance, dentists actually recommend you come in every 3 months!
"Six-month recalls were actually decided upon by insurance companies in the early ’60s or ’70s. The insurance companies decided they would pay for cleanings every six months. Dentists and the ADA did not choose this and if it were up to us you would get your teeth cleaned and checked every 3 months to keep your gums healthy and prevent cavities."
So, when was the last time you’ve had your check-up at the dentist? Don’t worry, our Smile Obsession dental locations all offer dental coupons and special dental offers for checkups and cleanings! We are a dental office with new patient specials! So, if you’ve never been to our locations before you can easily book your next appointment online at any of our dental locations in Glenview, Montgomery, Naperville, Streamwood, Wheaton, or Woodridge. If you aren’t sure which dental location is closest to you we have a “dentist near me” map that makes it easy to find your nearest dentist.
6. Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Nightguards or Mouthguards
Choosing a do-it-yourself nightguard or mouthguard is not recommended. A DIY mouthguard is not accurate and you could risk damaging and shifting your teeth. A nightguard that you get at your local dentist, also referred to as an orthotic, is custom made for your mouth and matches your bite and teeth perfectly. Whether you are looking for a nightguard to prevent teeth grinding or you need a professional mouthguard for sports, you should absolutely consult with your dentist before getting a mouthguard yourself.
7. Whitening Toothpaste
Similar to charcoal toothpaste, dentists for the most part don’t recommend whitening toothpaste with only a few exceptions. Whitening toothpaste doesn’t actually whiten your teeth as claimed. In reality, whitening toothpaste scratches at the enamel of your teeth giving it the appearance of white teeth. Most importantly to note, if you see the ingredient “silica” this is essentially sand particles which is what scratches at the enamel of your teeth. If you’ve been using whitening toothpaste and have had to switch to sensitive toothpaste this is most likely the cause.
Overall, if you’re looking to try a different toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, or mouthguard it’s important to consult your dentist. Our dentists will equip you with all the best dental solutions to give you the top-quality dental care you deserve.
At Smile Obsession Dental, we offer dental services with payment plans, dental financing, specials, and more. Subscribe and check back into our blog for more dental dos and donts with our dentists and get the latest dental specials and coupons.
