In medicine, the gold standard represents the highest or best care possible. For example, many doctors say the gold standard of cancer screenings is the colonoscopy. When it comes to the gold standard for your mouth, what should your level of care be for your teeth and gums? Here is an explanation for making sure your teeth and gums get the best care possible.
Giving Your Teeth the Best Care
If you want to give your teeth the best care possible, you should begin with your choice of toothpaste. Look for a toothpaste with the maximum amount of chlorhexidine, which is a chemical that fights both tooth decay and gum disease. You may also want to look for toothpaste that has two kinds of fluoride to further re-mineralize and protect your teeth from cavities. Usually, toothpastes contain sodium fluoride, but adding stannous fluoride to your toothpaste helps you maintain your teeth.
Also, take a look at the type of toothbrush you use. If you use a traditional manual toothbrush with soft bristles, that is perfect for getting the job done. However, if you want to increase the level of care you give your teeth, you may want to invest in an electric toothbrush because it allows for more effective plaque removal than a traditional toothbrush.
What About Flossing?
Traditional flossers work well, just like traditional toothbrushes, but if you want to improve your gum care, you may want to invest in a water flosser. Water flossers use jets of water rather than a string to floss your teeth. They are perfect to use if you have dental implants or bridgework because water flossers are able to floss underneath the dental work.
Not sure if you are caring for your teeth the best way possible? We can help. Reach out to our office today to make an appointment to visit with our dentist.