Which dental products should I use?
A quick guide to some popular dental products
There are an enormous number of dental products available, so if you’re not sure where to start, ask your dentist or hygienist for any recommendations.
Your dental practice may stock products that you can’t readily obtain from pharmacies or supermarkets and will often have special offers or give you free samples of new products to try.
Dental professionals can recommend the best toothpaste for your teeth and gums, as well as the most effective flossing materials, mouth rinses and toothbrushes to meet your individual needs.
Toothpaste
The toothpaste you choose should contain the right amount of fluoride for you, as this will help to fight against tooth decay.
Many toothpastes also protect against plaque and tartar, enamel erosion and gum disease. Some may also contain chemicals to promote tooth whitening.
To find out which toothpaste best suits your teeth speak to your practice team.
Dental floss/Interdental brushes
Cleaning between your teeth is just as important as cleaning the surfaces. This helps you to avoid a build-up of plaque, and removes debris from areas your toothbrush can't reach.
Try to clean between your teeth daily with either dental floss, interdental brushes or strips, or even a powered air or water flosser.
Mouth rinses
Your dental team may recommend a fluoride or chlorhexidine mouth rinse, which should be used at a different time of day to brushing.
Mouth rinses can be used to help prevent tooth decay and, in certain circumstances, to help treat gum disease as well as freshen breath.
Toothbrushes
Many dentists recommend the use of powered brushes as they are the most efficient way of cleaning teeth. They give a thorough clean, help you to avoid applying too much pressure to your gums and tooth enamel, and if they have a timer built-in, they can guide you on how long to brush for.
But with good brushing technique, manual toothbrushes can often be almost as good – after all, the most important thing is that you brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time.