Here at Fredericksburg Dental Center, LLC, we know and understand the various dental products you are introduced to and want to help you understand the benefits of some of these products so that you can make decisions that will have a positive effect on your overall oral health.

Oral hygiene aids are the products you use at home during your oral health routine to help you maintain good oral hygiene. These products include your toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, floss, tongue cleaners, and more. Keep in mind, we always recommend purchasing American Dental Association (ADA) approved items.

Toothbrushes: Toothbrushes come in a wide variety: manual, ultrasonic, and electric. We recommend choosing an ultrasonic or electric toothbrush because of their ability to remove plaque and bacteria so well. They are proven to be more effective than manual brushes. Choose one with soft bristles to be gentle on the gums.

Dental Floss: The type of floss you use will depend on personal preference and the amount of space between your teeth. If you find that your floss is fraying, try wax floss or something not as thick. If it is pulling through without any resistance at all, you may need something a tad thicker. You may have to experiment a bit to find exactly what works for you. Remember to always choose an ADA-approved product.

Mouth Rinse: You may be surprised to learn that while these cosmetic rinses might fight off germs, they often do very little in the fight against plaque. Therapeutic rinses are available with a prescription and must be monitored by a dentist. These rinses contain FDA-approved ingredients that are made to kill germs, fight plaque, and reduce cavities and bad breath.

Tongue Cleaners: Tongue cleaners are highly recommended. They remove the buildup of bacteria that even a toothbrush can’t handle. This bacteria is bad for your body and results in bad breath, so it is important to remove it. While it is often overlooked, it’s one of our favorite products.

Our staff here at Fredericksburg Dental Center, LLC is here to support you. If you have any questions about dental products or oral hygiene aids, please give us a call at (717) 865-3457.