Dental Care: Good Teeth, Good Gums, Good Life

Toothpastes

With the number and types of toothpastes on the market, the best strategy for selecting among these products may be to simply ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns are for your mouth and which product he or she recommends.

After consulting with your dentist or hygienist about your oral health's greatest needs, look for products within that category (for example, within the tartar control brands or within the desensitizing toothpaste brands) that have received the American Dental Association's (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The ADA's Seal of Acceptance means that the product has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness and that packaging and advertising claims are scientifically supported. Some manufacturers choose not to seek the ADA's Seal of Acceptance. Although these products may be safe and effective, these products' performance have not been evaluated or endorsed by the ADA.

Always pick a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride toothpastes have been shown to prevent cavities. One word of caution: The American Dental Association recommends that children over 2 years of age and adults use a fluoride toothpaste displaying the ADA Seal of Acceptance. They also recommend the use of fluoride mouthrinses, but not for children under 6 years of age because they may swallow the rinse.

Finally, some degree of personal preference comes into play. Choose the toothpaste that tastes and feels best. Gel or paste, wintergreen or spearmint, all work alike. If you find that certain ingredients are irritating to your teeth, cheeks or lips, or if your teeth have become more sensitive, or if your mouth is irritated after brushing, try changing toothpastes. If the problem continues, see your dentist.
Toothbrushes

One of the main things to look for in toothbrushes is the bristles. Most dentists recommend soft bristles, especially for those individuals that have sensitive teeth or gums. Both adults and children should use a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Toothbrushes with harder bristles are not more effective at removing plaque or stains.

Be sure to select a toothbrush head size that can easily fit into the mouth and is capable of brushing one to two teeth at a time. With this in mind, be sure to select a toothbrush with a very small head for a very young child or infant.

If you are unsure of what features to look for or the best bristle head design for cleaning your teeth's unique contours and alignment, be sure to ask your dentist or hygienist for assistance.

Toothbrushes should be replaced about every three months or earlier if the bristles begin to look worn or frayed (bristles that fan out or spread is a sign that it is time to get a new toothbrush).
Manual Vs. Powered Toothbrushes

Is there any advantage to using a powered (electric or sonic) toothbrush compared with a manual toothbrush? Not necessarily. The key to good oral hygiene is correct and effective use of a toothbrush rather than simply an issue of powered vs. manual operation. However, one of the main advantages of powered toothbrushes is they make it easier to brush correctly. Other advantages of powered toothbrushes include:

    * Brushing becomes easier for people with medical conditions that limit manual dexterity (such as arthritis), or who are elderly or physically handicapped, or have oral conditions (such as misaligned teeth or teeth with uneven surfaces) that make thorough cleaning of all tooth surfaces difficult.
    * They make it easier to clean teeth with braces and other orthodontic appliances.
    * People may enjoy cleaning their teeth more since use of a powered toothbrush might be considered "fun" or "different" and therefore brush more frequently as a result. Others might be motivated to brush longer or correctly because of the money spent on purchasing the toothbrush.
    * They remove more plaque and reduce your risks of gingivitis better than manual toothbrushes. At least one study has shown that the long-term (4 to 6 months) use of powered toothbrushes produce significant reductions in the amount of dental plaque on the teeth -- and therefore improves the oral health -- of patients with periodontal disease.
    * They minimize or eliminate tooth staining. The scrubbing effect of powered toothbrushes may be superior to manual toothbrushes in possibly reducing or even totally removing surface stains on teeth.


How Do I Choose a Powered Toothbrush?

Like all dental products, you have a number of choices to choose from when it comes to powered toothbrushes. Here are some key points about each style of powered toothbrushes.

    * Sonic toothbrushes generate between 30,000 and 40,000 brush strokes per minute (compared with about 300 per minute with manual tooth brushing). The bristles in the toothbrush rotate in the dentist recommended back-and-forth motion. In addition, the patented cleaning action of the brush directs fluid between teeth and below the gum line to gently remove plaque (only sonic toothbrushes can make this claim).
    * Electric toothbrushes generate between 3,000 and 7,500 brush strokes per minute. Although individual designs differ, the bristles in the brush head are typically either set in a circular format that rotates (the entire head rotates in unison) or individual tufts of bristles within the brush head spin independently. Some electric toothbrushes have both a rotating as well as a pulsating motion to help remove plaque and reduce gingivitis.

Water Piks

Water piks, otherwise known as water irrigating devices, are usually unnecessary for most people. Individuals who can benefit the most from these devices are those with braces or other orthodontic appliances who need help removing food between teeth and within the appliance it self. It is important to keep in mind that these devices do not remove plaque; only tooth brushing with toothpaste and flossing can do that.
Mouthwashes and Rinses

Mouthwashes do more than simply freshen your breath. In combination with brushing and flossing, the ADA says that bacteria-fighting mouth rinses can reduce bacteria in dental plaque and thus help prevent gum disease. Fluoride mouth rinses help reduce and prevent tooth decay. These products may also contain alcohol and are not appropriate for children under 6 years of age because they can swallow the rinse. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend the type of rinse that would be best for you.