Five Essentials for Dental Care

Some people may consider me to be a bit obsessive-compulsive when it comes to dental care. However, as someone who paid my own hard earned money for braces as an adult in my mid 20's, I am expecting my teeth to last a lifetime. I not only brush after every meal, but even after snacks when possible. I also floss my teeth at last once daily and use additional dental care products to keep my teeth clean and white and my breath fresh. As a result, my dental check-ups are usually a breeze, and I have had to spend very little money on dental work over years, except for normal wear and care that comes with the aging process.

My usual morning ritual includes first swishing a capful of Listerine Whitening rinse for 60 seconds, brushing my teeth for 2-3 minutes with an Oral B toothbrush and Close-Up toothpase, gargling with Listerine antiseptic mouthwash, and flossing with Oral B Essentialfloss at night before I go to bed. I have tried a variety of dental care products over the years and have found those listed above to work best for me.

I prefer Close-Up Toothpase, a product of Unilever Corporation, one of the leading suppliers of health, hygiene, and beauty products worldwide, because of its fresh, minty, taste, and the fact that it leaves my mouth feeling clean. At a reasonable price of under $2.00, it compares favorably with a variety of higher priced toothpastes that claim to do everything from whiten teeth to prevent tooth decay.

After I began to notice coffee stains on my teeth, I started using Listerine Whitening rinse about two years ago. While this product does not permanently whiten teeth, it does temporarily remove coffee stains, and helps kill bad breath germs. I use it in conjunction with Listerine antiseptic mouthwash for a double dose of germ killing. While I did not particularly like the taste of the original amber colored Listerine mouthwash, it is now available in a variety of flavors that make using it a much more pleasant experience.

Finally, my choices for toothbrushes and dental floss are Oral B products. The Oral B brand, a product of Procter & Gamble, is a worlwide leader in the dental care market. Like most people, I was first introduced to this brand by my dentist. After trying a variety of toothbrushes, I found the medium bristle CrossAction brush works best for me. The extra long bristles allow me to reach even my wisdom teeth, and the angle of the head helps me to reach those areas in between my teeth where plaque tends to collect. I also like the fact that the blue color on the bistles start fading away, which indicates the need to replace the toothbrush. The Oral B Essentialfloss is thin and slightly waxed, making it easier to maneuver in and out of my teeth and around my gums, and does not break easily, like some cheaper brands. 

It really takes very little time to practice good dental care and oral hygiene. I normally spend about 5 minutes with my morning ritual and 2-3 minutes at night brushing and flossing. Brushing between meals throughout the day can become habitual, and also takes very little time, if you can deal with the strange looks from your friends and co-workers. In my opinion, practicing good dental care with the five essential products described above is well worth the effort to maintain clean, healthy looking, teeth for a lifetime.