Parkway High School freshman Amanda Parks would be lost without her Waterpik flosser.
"I've been using it for about two and a half years," said Parks. "It gets the stuff out of my teeth and makes them feel better."
Parks, 15, has been using the instrument since she got braces on her bottom teeth. Her mother, Delores Parks, a dental assistant at Dr. David Bellew's office in Shreveport, originally brought the gadget home to her daughter.
"(The Waterpik flosser) relieves the pressure," said Amanda Parks. "I have problems with stuff getting stuck in my back teeth, and my braces would be bothering me so bad if I didn't use it."
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A plethora of dental doodads makes oral hygiene handier
There are so many over-the-counter dental products available, a person could almost do their own dental work at home.
But dentists don't advise the attempt.
The American Dental Association recommends these tips to keep your teeth and gums in good health:
* Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
* Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria still lingers between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
* Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
* Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
* Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
* Look for the ADA Seal of approval on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators, mouth rinses and other oral hygiene products. The ADA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness.
* Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth. Children's toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adults because they can wear out sooner.
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