Dental Holiday Gift Ideas!

With Christmas around the corner, many people are looking for unique and useful gift ideas. Why not give that special someone an upgrade to their oral health? Here are some of our picks for top dental gift ideas for 2016!

Almost everyone will appreciate the benefits of an electric toothbrush. Wether it spins, slides or vibrates, the motorized action seems to make brushing a more enjoyable experience. We recommend looking for a model with a built in two minute timer and pressure sensor. You can usually find deals at big box stores on brands like Phillips Sonicare and Oral B. Before you buy, make sure replacement heads are readily available and reasonably priced. 

For the person always on-the-go, you may want to consider a dental subscription service like Quip or Goby. Here, you purchase the initial electric toothbrush and the company sends you regular toothpaste refills and replacement brush heads. This takes all the guesswork out of keeping your brush in working order! Again, look for a product that has a timer and pressure sensor. Additionally, check that the refill toothpaste contains cavity fighting fluoride. 

Looking for stocking stuffers? Try a fun brand/flavor of toothpaste. Crest has various lines of toothpaste with flavors like citrus, cinnamon and even chocolate! You can also try organic brands like Toms of Maine. However, be careful that the paste you choose contains fluoride. If you know any kids or teens in braces, built-in threader floss or ORTHOgami flossers can be a fun way to encourage good oral hygiene. The possibilities are endless!

If you need any help picking out the perfect dental Christmas gift, please give our office a call. We want everyone in your family to be excited about having excellent oral health. Happy Holidays!

What do I look for in a Toothbrush?

What makes a good brush? Take a look at these five guidelines and you're sure to pick a great product!

1. Look for a toothbrush with a small brush head. Bigger brushes are hard to maneuver and tend to miss important areas.

2. Only buy soft brush heads. Stiff bristles can damage enamel and wear away at gums causing serious damage. 

3. Don't fall for gimmicks. What's more important than "cross bristles" or "massaging action" is that you use the brush for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

4. Remember to replace often. Older brushes harbor bacteria and don't work as efficiently. Make sure you are getting a brush that you are comfortable replacing on a regular basis.

5. Consider going electric. Electric brushes take a lot of the guesswork out of brushing your teeth. Look for products from Oral-B and Sonicare for the best battery life, easiest to find replacement heads and beneficial features. Try to find a model with a built in timer and pressure sensor to get the most out of brushing. 

What's in a Toothbrush?

“What type of toothbrush do you recommend?”

- A question heard daily at dental offices around the world. Between TV ads, flashy packaging and nearly miraculous promises, there seem to be an infinite number of variables on the simple brush. Fortunately, picking a great toothbrush is easy and straightforward. There is no need to go out and buy the priciest or latest model; as long as you keep some simple principles in mind, you are sure to make a great choice.

When picking out a manual toothbrush, the most important factors to consider are brush head size and bristle stiffness. In general, a smaller brush head will allow you to better access the more difficult-to-clean areas of your mouth. This is especially true for young children, who have much less room to accommodate a large head. Also, make sure you are using a toothbrush with soft or (at the most) medium stiffness bristles. Stiff and extra stiff options can actually cause damage to your enamel and gum tissue, particularly if you tend to brush with a lot of force. Beyond size and stiffness, the brush you use should be a matter of personal choice. Make sure to use a toothbrush that is comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver all over your mouth.

For those looking to “upgrade” their brushing experience, our office recommends switching to an electric toothbrush. For the average patient, electric toothbrushes offer a more complete cleaning experience by taking the guesswork out of duration, proper motion and amount of force necessary. While it may be possible to achieve the same level of clean with a manual brush, electric variants simplify the process while simultaneously making it harder to “cheat” on brushing time.

When shopping for an electric brush, we recommend looking for the best deals available on brushes with timers and force sensors. Big box stores tend to have the best prices, particularly on two packs (for you and a loved one!). Most brushes will fall into either the sonic (vibrating) or the spinning (mechanical) category. We recommend picking whichever motion you think you will like the best. As with manual brushes, the most important factors are brush head size and bristle stiffness. So long as the brush comes with a reasonably small and soft head, any mechanical motion will be beneficial to your teeth and gums.

If you have any further questions about toothbrush choices, do not hesitate to call our office. Any of our staff members can offer great perspective on what models have worked best for them personally. We are more than happy to make recommendations and suggestions with all your home dental hygiene choices!