Head over to the ‘dental care’ aisle in any pharmacy, and you’ll find a myriad of toothbrushes and pastes – all that claim to be the best at what they do, all with apparently unique qualities, and all claiming to be the best for your teeth.
The choice can seem overwhelming – so most of us tend to simply make an arbitrary choice, based on nothing more than a spur-of-the-moment preference.
But should we think more about which brands we go for? Are any of them leaps and bounds ahead of the rest?
With Dental Health Week coming up (6 – 12th August 2018), we ask CEO and Pharmacist of Pharmacy 4 Less, Feras Karem, what’s really best for your oral hygiene.
First up: is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?
The main benefit of an electric toothbrush is that it does a lot of the work for you, loosening plaque using an electric motor rather than your arm! They are a good option, particularly if you have mobility issues or arthritis. However, a manual toothbrush can be just as effective if it’s used correctly. Make sure you’re brushing for at least two minutes and covering all four quadrants of your mouth. Manual toothbrushes can also be better for those of us with sensitive teeth, as it’s easier to apply less pressure. They’re also better for kids, as they’re lighter and easier to control.
Why are there so many different types of toothbrush and toothpaste?
There are so many toothbrushes on the market because each brush head is slightly different, so it’s slightly better for something than another brush head would be. A larger brush head will suit a larger mouth, a firm brush head is good for those who don’t have sensitive teeth or gums, a soft one is good for those who do, and so on. There are so many toothpastes for the same reason – each of them is formulated to solve a slightly different oral complaint.
Which one is best?
There’s no simple answer to this, because it depends what you want from a toothpaste. I would advise, however, not to choose a toothpaste purely because it claims to be ‘whitening’, as the difference whitening toothpastes can make is very minimal and shouldn’t be the only reason you choose a toothpaste. On the other hand, toothpastes made for sensitive teeth can genuinely make a difference if they’re used every day. If you don’t have any specific complaints, go for a general all-rounder. Just make sure it contains fluoride, as fluoride strengthens teeth, making them more resistant to attacks from sugar and acid, preventing decay.
What about flossing and mouth wash – are they compulsory too?
They’re definitely a good idea. Nearly half the surface of your teeth lies between them, which you can only reach by flossing. Flossing is recommended by everyone, but mouth wash has had its fair share of controversy. I think it’s good to point out that although it won’t make much difference on its own (and it definitely shouldn’t be used as a substitute for brushing), it is a useful weapon to have in your arsenal. Every little helps!
Dental health is achieved by brushing for 2 minutes every day, flossing and rinsing and regular (every six months) dental check-ups.
Finally, remember that if you have a specific complaint you should always ask the advice of your dentist or pharmacist, and if you’ve been recommended a product it’s for a reason – so go with it!
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