20
Mar
Back to Basics: Which toothpaste and floss should I use?
When you visit the supermarket or chemist, there are so many varieties of dental care products to choose from. In this post, we are going to break down different products and give you recommendations by our dentist, so you can get the most of your home dental routine.
Toothpastes
1. Fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste is the type of toothpaste we always recommend to our patients. Fluoride helps to strengthen enamel and prevent dental cavities. Using a toothpaste containing fluoride, such as Colgate or Oral B, is important to maintain good oral hygiene.
2. High fluoride toothpaste
High fluoride toothpastes contain a much higher concentration of fluoride than regular fluoride toothpaste. This type of toothpaste is often recommended for people who are at greater risk of dental decay or may even have some early decay forming that we want to try and reverse. This toothpaste can often be purchased from your dental clinic or the chemist. Children should not use this toothpaste.
3. Children’s toothpaste
Children’s toothpaste contains no or very little fluoride. Using a small amount of toothpaste is recommended for children over 18 months as children at this age are able to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallowing it. Children’s toothpaste is typically flavoured to encourage kids to brush their teeth.
4. Natural or herbal toothpastes
These toothpastes often do not contain fluoride. They are an option for people who may be allergic to ingredients in regular toothpaste, such as foaming agents. However, because they don’t contain fluoride, continued use of these products (especially without regular dental check-ups) can leave you more vulnerable to decay than others using fluoridated toothpaste. If possible, try to use this every other day, switching between this and fluoride toothpaste. For patients who are not at risk of dental decay and do attend the dentist every six months, natural toothpastes can be a suitable option.
5. Sensitive toothpaste
Sensitive toothpastes such as Sensodyne are a good option for people who experience sensitivity to things like hot and cold or even brushing. They still contain fluoride but also contain a substance that can help to ease sensitivity when brushing.
6. Whitening toothpastes
Whitening toothpastes should be used alongside regular fluoride toothpaste. Although they can have some whitening benefits, they are more abrasive to the teeth and continued use can wear down the enamel. When brushing twice a day, try brushing once with the whitening toothpaste and once with regular fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing products
1.Regular floss
Regular floss comes in a tube or canister. It is often waxed and is a commonly recommended product. We recommend flossing every night before you brush so that any plaque flossed can be brushed away, and so the fluoride from your toothpaste can penetrate between the teeth to help strengthen the enamel here.You can purchase floss at any supermarket or chemist.
2.Floss sticks
Floss sticks are another great recommendation for flossing. These sticks are much easier to use than regular floss, so if you’re not in the habit of flossing once daily or if you struggle with normal floss, this is your best choice. The sticks have two ends: a flossing end and a toothpick end. We recommend getting the biodegradable floss sticks from Coles, but remember to cut the waxed floss first before you throw these in your green bin.
3. Super floss
Super floss is designed to clean under fixed appliances such as an orthodontic wire or a bridge. It is a three-part floss: the stiff end allows you to move the floss under the wire and a soft, fluffy part to floss the under surface of the bridge or wire. The rest of the floss is a slightly thicker version of regular floss, so you can floss the rest of your teeth as normal with the same string.
4. Threaders
Threaders are for a similar use to the super floss. You can thread your regular floss through the threader (like a sewing needle) and use this to get the floss under your fixed wires or bridges and floss as normal. Unlike the super floss, threaders are reusable (as they can be rinsed with water and you dispose of the floss only) and when flossing regularly, may be a more affordable option than the super floss. However, of the two options, we do prefer to use super floss.
5. Interdental brushes
Interdental brushes or Piksters are a great option for areas of the mouth where there are gaps between the teeth or where food gets stuck. They come in a variety of sizes for different needs, but often we would recommend the smallest size available if these are used as a substitute for floss. We do generally recommend floss over interdentals as floss is able to get to the smaller crevices.
6. Waterpiks/water flosser
Waterpiks or water flossers are becoming more popular. As the name suggests, they shoot jets of water between the teeth and around the gums to remove bacteria. While we do recommend floss as the best product to clean between teeth, a waterpik may be a good option for someone who is not a regular flosser or is unable to handle regular floss. It is also a good option for cleaning around brackets when you have braces on.
The Clarity summary
When looking for your oral hygiene products, always look for products that contain fluoride. Fluoride is essential for strengthening your enamel, preventing cavities and encouraging healthy tooth development. It is also essential to floss regularly – there are many varieties available in your local supermarket or chemist. Whilst we always recommend regular string floss, make sure you find an option that works best for you. Flossing with a different option is better than not flossing at all!
Next up in our Back to Basics series, we will look into different toothbrush choices and other oral hygiene products.