With so many dental care products (competing toothpastes, toothbrushes,
mouthwashes etc.) on the market today, how should you decide which product to
use? This document provides information to help guide your decision-making among
the various types of available products.
Toothpastes
When purchasing a toothpaste for you or your child, select one that contains
fluoride. Toothpastes containing fluoride have been shown to prevent cavities.
One word of caution: check the manufacturer’s label. Some toothpastes are not
recommended for children under age 6. This is because young children swallow
toothpaste, and swallowing too much fluoride can lead to tooth discoloration in
permanent teeth.
It is also wise to select a product approved by the American Dental
Association (ADA). 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 might be safe and effective, these
products’ performance have not been evaluated or endorsed by the ADA.
Types of toothpaste (beyond containing fluoride) – whitening
toothpastes, tartar-control, gum care, desensitizing, etc.
With the number and types of available toothpastes on the market, the best strategy to selecting among these products might be to simply ask your dental hygienist or dentist what the greatest concerns are for your mouth. Also, be aware that your needs will likely change as you get older. 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 ADA Seal of Acceptance. 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.
Manual toothbrushes
The main criterion to look for in manual toothbrushes is soft bristles. Both
adults and children should use a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Harder
bristles might cause gum tissue to pull back from teeth, which can expose the
tooth root and lead to increased sensitivity to hot, cold, and sweet foods and
beverages. Even worse, receding gum tissue can ultimately lead to tooth loss if
not prevented or treated.
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 guideline 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 four months or earlier if the
bristles begin to look worn or frayed. (Bristles that fan out or spread is one
sign of wear.)
Manual versus 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 versus manual operation.
One of the main advantages of powered toothbrushes is they provide a means to
consistently brush using an adequate technique. Beyond this point, however,
there are certain other situations where use of a powered toothbrush might make
sense:
- Power toothbrushes can ease the chore of tooth brushing in individuals 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 can ease the chore of tooth brushing in individuals with
orthodontic appliances (such as bands, brackets, and wires).
- They motivate those who don’t brush their teeth regularly. Use
of a powered toothbrush might be considered "fun" or
"different" such that it encourages tooth brushing. Others might
be motivated to brush longer or correctly because of the money spent on
purchasing the toothbrush.
- They better fight gum disease. At least one study has shown that
the long-term (four to six 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 might be superior to manual toothbrushes in possibly
reducing or even totally removing surface stains on teeth.
A complete list of toothbrushes that have received the ADA’s Seal of
Acceptance can be found at this web site http://www.ada.org/prof/prac/seal/sealsrch.asp.
Water piks devices
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 orthodontics who need help removing food
between teeth and within the orthodontic appliance. 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
Mouthwashes simply freshen breath; they do not clean teeth. Most of these
products contain alcohol and are not appropriate for children under 6 years of
age because they can swallow it.
Mouthwashes that have received the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance can be found at
this web site http://www.ada.org/prof/prac/seal/sealsrch.asp.
Fluoride mouth rinses
Fluoride mouth rinses coat the teeth with cavity-preventing fluoride. These
rinses are typically recommended for cavity-prone individuals and can be used in
children as young as 7 if they know how to spit out a liquid without swallowing
it. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend the type of rinse that would be
best for you.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 5/3/2008...#11188
