To make sure your teeth are sparkling and your mouth is healthy, you need more than just a toothbrush.

Bacteria and plaque can build up everywhere in the mouth — not just on the surface of the teeth, so you need to be equipped to deal with the havoc that bacteria can cause.

To shed light on essential dental cleaning tools, we recommend options that are safe for home use and effective in maintaining a spotless mouth and pearly whites.

Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush is the cornerstone of any oral care routine. Electric toothbrushes compared to manual toothbrushes offer superior plaque removal.

Some models come with features like timers to ensure you brush for the recommended time and oscillating bristles to help dislodge stubborn food particles that manual toothbrushes will leave behind. Oral-B and Sonicare are great suggestions.

Floss or Floss Picks

Often the forgotten part of an oral care routine. Flossing is just as crucial as brushing. Dental floss reaches the tight spaces between your teeth where toothbrushes can’t go, removing food particles and plaque that can lead to decay and gum disease over time.

For those who find traditional floss challenging, floss picks are a convenient alternative. They’re easy to use and perfect for people on the go or who struggle with conventional flossing techniques.

Mouth Mirror

Think of a mouth mirror as your dental assistant.

This small, angled mirror helps you inspect hard-to-see areas, like the back of your teeth and along the gumline.

This helps you spot areas you may have missed with your brush or bits of food you couldn’t see when flossing.

It’s a great way to monitor your oral health between dental check-ups — allowing you to spot early signs of plaque build-up, cavities, or gum issues before they become serious.

If you’re unsure of what you’re looking for, speak to your dental professional for tips on what to look for and how to use the mirror effectively.

Soft-picks

Soft-picks are small, flexible dental cleaning tools designed to remove food particles and plaque from between teeth and along the gumline.

They’re an excellent alternative or complement to traditional flossing, especially for people who find flossing difficult or uncomfortable.

The bristles are made from silicone or rubber, which are gentler on gums and teeth and come in various sizes to suit different gap widths between teeth.

Tongue Scraper

Bad breath isn’t always caused by what you eat or what’s stuck in your teeth — it can also be caused by bacteria build-up on your tongue.

A tongue scraper effectively removes bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from your tongue’s surface, improving your oral hygiene and leaving your breath minty fresh after cleaning.

This simple tool is easy to use and can even improve your sense of taste.

Fluoride Toothpaste

While not necessarily a tool, fluoride toothpaste is indispensable for protecting and strengthening your teeth.

Fluoride helps remineralise enamel, preventing cavities, and reversing early signs of decay and is a far more effective cleaner than non-fluoride toothpastes.

Fluoride toothpaste comes in many forms so choose a toothpaste tailored to your needs —whether it’s for sensitivity, gum health, or whitening — to get the best results from your brushing routine.

Water Flosser

If traditional flossing feels like a chore, a water flosser might be your new best friend.

This device uses a thin, pressured stream of water to clean between teeth and along the gumline, making it ideal for those with braces, dental implants, or sensitive gums.

Water flossers are also great for reaching areas that floss and toothbrushes might miss, ensuring a thorough clean.

Oral Rinse (Mouth Wash)

Mouthwash is a valuable addition to your oral care routine as it complements brushing and flossing by reducing plaque, killing harmful bacteria, and reaching areas that are hard to clean.

It also helps prevent gum disease, freshens breath, and strengthens teeth when using fluoride-based formulas.

By using it effectively after brushing and flossing, mouthwash helps to neutralise smells from food, leaving you with fresh breath.

Let Enlighten take your smile to the next level

Choosing a teeth-whitening treatment that cares for your teeth while delivering exceptional results is important.

At Enlighten, we understand that every smile is unique. Explore our teeth-whitening treatment and keep your smile bright with our advanced toothpaste, expertly formulated to tackle stains and prevent discolouration.

Want to know more? Read our guides for expert tips, the latest insights, and advice on maintaining your best smile.

FAQs

1. Can you clean your teeth at home using professional dental tools?

Although it’s possible to purchase and use professional cleaning tools on your teeth, it’s not recommended.

Dentists and hygienists go through years of extensive training to be able to remove plaque and perform deep cleans of your mouth without damaging your teeth, hurting your gums and causing infection.

An inexperienced person could easily chip a tooth or cut a gum, increasing the risk of infection and future problems down the line.

2. Can I treat plaque at home?

Once plaque has solidified (become tartar), it needs to be professionally removed.

A trained hygienist has the equipment and training to safely remove plaque and tartar build-ups without causing further damage and risking infection. It should not be attempted at home.

› DIG DEEPER ‹

Learn more about the Enlighten Teeth Whitening System HERE.

And to find an Enlighten whitening expert near you, hit the link below. 

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Or if it’s mini smile makeovers you want to dig deeper into, then give it a click right HERE.

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