Oral Hygiene Aids
Regular dental check ups are essential for maintaining excellent oral hygiene and diagnosing potential problems, but they are not a “fix-all” solution. Thorough oral homecare routines should be practiced on a daily basis to avoid future dental problems.
Periodontal disease (also called gum disease and periodontitis) is the leading cause of tooth loss in the developed world, and is completely preventable in the vast majority of cases. Professional cleanings twice a year combined with daily self-cleaning can remove a high percentage of disease-causing bacteria and plaque. In addition, teeth that are well cared for make for a sparkling white smile.
There are numerous types of oral hygiene aids on the supermarket shelves, and it can be difficult to figure out which one will work best for your teeth.
Here are some of the most common oral hygiene aids for homecare:
Dental Flosses
Dental floss is the most common interdental and subgingival (below the gum) cleaner and comes in a variety of types and flavors. The floss itself is made from either thin nylon filaments or polyethylene ribbons, and can help remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Vigorous flossing with a floss holder can cause soft tissue damage and bleeding, so great care should be taken. Floss should normally be used twice daily after brushing.
Interdental Cleaners
Many hygienist & periodontists recommend interdental brushes in addition to dental floss. These tiny brushes are gentle on the gums and very effective in cleaning the contours of teeth in between the gums. Interdental brushes come in various shapes and sizes.
Mouth Rinses
There are two basic types of mouth rinse available: Cosmetic rinses which are sold over the counter and temporarily suppress bad breath, and therapeutic rinses which may or may not require a prescription. Most dentists are skeptical about the benefits of cosmetic rinses because several studies have shown that their effectiveness against plaque is minimal. Therapeutic rinses however, are regulated by the FDA and contain active ingredients that can help reduce bad breath, plaque, and cavities. Mouth rinses should generally be used after brushing.
Oral Irrigators
Oral irrigators, like Water Jets and Waterpiks have been created to clean debris from below the gum line. Water is continuously sprayed from tiny jets into the gum pockets which can help remove harmful bacteria and food particles. Overall, oral irrigators have proven effective in lowering the risk of gum disease and should not be used instead of brushing and flossing. Professional dental cleanings are recommended at least twice annually to remove deeper debris.
Rubber Tip Stimulators
The rubber tip stimulator is an excellent tool for removing plaque from around the gum line and also for stimulating blood flow to the gums. The rubber tip stimulator should be traced gently along the outer and inner gum line at least once each day. Any plaque on the tip can be rinsed off with tap water. It is important to replace the tip as soon as it starts to appear worn, and to store the stimulator in a cool, dry place.
Tongue Cleaners
Tongue cleaners are special devices which have been designed to remove the buildup of bacteria, fungi and food debris from the tongue surface. The fungi and bacteria that colonize on the tongue have been related to halitosis (bad breath) and a great many systemic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease and stroke. Tongue cleaners can be made from metal, wood or plastic and shaped in accordance with the contours of the tongue. Tongue cleaning should be done prior to brushing to prevent the ingestion of fungi and bacteria.
Toothbrushes
There are a great many toothbrush types available. Electric toothbrushes are generally recommended by dentists because electric brushes are much more effective than manual brushes. The vibrating or rotary motion helps to easily dislodge plaque and remove food particles from around the gums and teeth. The same results can be obtained using a manual brush, but much more effort is needed to do so.
Manual toothbrushes should be replaced every three months because worn bristles become ineffective over time. Soft bristle toothbrushes are far less damaging to gum tissue than the medium and hard bristle varieties. In addition, an appropriate sized ADA approved toothbrush should be chosen to allow proper cleaning to all the teeth. Teeth should ideally be brushed after each meal, or minimally twice each day.
If you have any questions about oral hygiene aids, please ask your dentist or dental hygienist.
How to Choose the Right Oral Hygiene Tools
The dental aisle at any drug store can be overwhelming — multiple types of brushes, several flavours of floss, water flossers, interdental brushes, tongue scrapers, fluoride rinses, and a wall of mouthwashes. The truth is that most of these are useful, just not all to the same patient. Choosing the right combination depends on your teeth, your gums, any dental work in your mouth, and your dexterity. A short conversation with your hygienist at your cleaning visit can save weeks of trial and error.
The basics for almost everyone include a soft-bristle toothbrush (manual or electric), fluoride toothpaste, and daily flossing of some form. From there, additions like interdental brushes, water flossers, fluoride rinses, or tongue cleaners are added based on specific needs. A patient with crowded teeth, braces, an implant bridge, or active gum disease will need a different toolkit than a low-risk adult with healthy teeth and gums.
What matters most is whether you actually use what you have. The best brush in the world used inconsistently is less effective than a basic brush used well twice a day. Pick tools that fit your hands, your bathroom routine, and your willingness to use them daily. Your hygienist can demonstrate technique with anything you choose.
Tools That Are Worth Considering for Different Needs
Different mouths need different tools. Here are the most common situations where specific aids make a real difference:
- Electric toothbrush — recommended for most adults, especially those who brush too hard, brush too quickly, or struggle to clean back teeth thoroughly; pressure sensors and timers help build consistent technique
- Interdental brushes — small bristled picks that fit between teeth; excellent for patients with gaps, gum recession, braces, bridges, or implants
- Water flossers — pulsed water cleaning between teeth and below the gum line; particularly useful for patients with implants, bridges, or arthritis that makes string floss hard to manipulate
- Floss picks — a string of floss on a small plastic handle; easier to manipulate than traditional floss but less effective at curving around each tooth side
- Tongue scrapers — remove bacteria that cause bad breath from the back of the tongue more effectively than brushing the tongue alone
- Fluoride mouthwash — alcohol-free fluoride rinse adds a small layer of cavity protection; especially useful for patients with high decay risk or dry mouth
- Antimicrobial mouthwash (chlorhexidine) — prescribed short-term for gum disease or post-surgical healing; not for daily long-term use because it stains teeth
- Dry mouth products — saliva substitutes, xylitol gum, and prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste for patients on medications that reduce saliva flow
- Specialty floss (super floss, floss threaders) — useful for cleaning around bridges, under wire braces, and around implants
- Chewable plaque-disclosing tablets — temporarily stain plaque so you can see where you have missed during brushing; useful for retraining brushing technique
Bring whatever you currently use to your next cleaning visit and your hygienist will tell you whether the combination is appropriate or whether a different mix would suit you better. Recommendations should always be specific to your mouth, not generic.
Building a Routine You Will Actually Follow
A daily oral hygiene routine that takes more than five minutes is one most people abandon within weeks. The goal is to find the smallest possible set of effective tools used consistently, not the most elaborate set used inconsistently. For most adults that means: two-minute brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and seeing the dentist every six months. Add-ons (water flosser, tongue scraper, mouthwash) sit on top of these basics, not in place of them.
Timing matters. Brushing before bed is more important than brushing in the morning because saliva flow drops during sleep and plaque sits on teeth undisturbed for hours. Flossing also works best before bed for the same reason — flossing in the morning is fine but means food and plaque sit between teeth all day. Brushing after meals is optional and best skipped if you have just had something acidic (wait 30 minutes).
If you have specific needs (implants, bridges, braces, gum disease, dry mouth), build your routine around those. A patient with an implant should be flossing around it daily and using a water flosser or interdental brush around the implant gum line. A patient with braces benefits from a water flosser or floss threaders because regular floss is hard to use around wire. Your hygienist tailors these recommendations to your specific situation.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Oral hygiene tools themselves are bought at a drug store or pharmacy, not at the dental office, so most of the cost is what you pay at retail. Recommendations for which tools suit you are part of your hygiene visit at no additional cost. Trillium follows the current Ontario Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide for hygiene services and individualized oral hygiene instruction.
Most private dental insurance plans cover the hygiene visit itself under preventive services but do not cover the retail cost of toothbrushes, floss, or other home-care products. CDCP covers preventive services within its annual benefits framework. If a specific product like a high-fluoride toothpaste is prescribed for medical reasons, it may be covered by prescription drug benefits rather than dental insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an electric toothbrush worth the cost?
For most adults, yes. A mid-range electric toothbrush with a two-minute timer and a pressure sensor helps build more consistent technique and lasts for years. Premium models add features like multiple modes and app feedback, but the basic timer and pressure sensor are what give the biggest practical benefit.
Are water flossers as good as string floss?
For most patients, a water flosser is a good supplement but does not fully replace string floss. The string floss makes contact with the tooth surface and removes plaque, while a water flosser flushes debris and bacteria. For patients with implants, bridges, or braces where string floss is hard to use, a water flosser may become the primary between-the-teeth tool.
What about charcoal toothpaste?
Charcoal toothpastes can remove surface stains but most lack fluoride, which is the active ingredient for cavity prevention. Using charcoal toothpaste exclusively skips the cavity protection your enamel needs. If you like the cosmetic effect, a charcoal toothpaste with fluoride is a reasonable choice; using it alongside a regular fluoride toothpaste also works.
Do tongue scrapers really help with bad breath?
Yes, when bad breath comes from bacteria on the back of the tongue (which it often does). A tongue scraper removes the bacterial coating more effectively than a toothbrush. Use it once a day, gently, from back to front. If bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene, mention it at your next visit — sometimes the source is dental, sometimes it is medical.
Is mouthwash necessary?
Not for everyone. An alcohol-free fluoride rinse adds a small cavity-protection benefit. Antimicrobial mouthwashes are used short-term for specific situations like gum disease or post-surgical healing. Many adults do not need mouthwash at all if brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings are consistent.
What products do you recommend for someone with sensitive teeth?
A sensitivity toothpaste containing potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, used twice a day for several weeks, usually reduces sensitivity. A soft-bristle brush and gentle brushing technique are essential — vigorous brushing makes sensitivity worse. If sensitivity persists, mention it at your next visit so the cause can be identified (sometimes recession, sometimes a fracture, sometimes something else).