Taking care of your teeth and gums means more to your health than just having a cavity-free mouth.
Good oral care reduces gum disease and halitosis, and helps you avoid tooth loss. Beyond that, poor oral health is linked to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and diabetes. “Oral health is an essential part of overall health,” says Deborah Stymiest, president of the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and a dentist in Fredericton.
But with the ever-growing array of oral-care products on the market today, how do you choose what works? In honour of oral health month in April, we’ve asked the experts for your best bets.
Manual brushes
The latest toothbrushes showcase a variety of angles and multi-height bristles for better reach, and ergonomic or easy-grip handles. They may include tongue and even cheek cleaners. There isn’t yet the research to prove those do a better job of cleaning your teeth, but some studies show that tongue cleansing will cut the amount of bacteria in your mouth (although there’s no evidence that it reduces oral disease).
Expert Advice: Avoid a brush head that seems too big in your mouth. An oversized or ergonomic handle might be useful if you have manual dexterity problems. As for the other bells and whistles: “Almost any appropriately sized toothbrush will be effective if you use it regularly and for enough time,” says Joanna Asadoorian, an associate professor in the faculty of dentistry at the University of Manitoba. That means brushing at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time. It’s often recommended that toothbrushes be replaced every three months, but research has shown that individuals wear them out at different rates, so look at the condition of your toothbrush as an indicator of when it’s time to replace it rather than going by a set time frame.
Power brushes
Some new rechargeable battery-powered toothbrushes tout sonic vibration, with more strokes per minute — 20,000 or more — than less expensive models at 7,000. Some high-tech brushes signal when you’re applying too much pressure, and the new Oral-B Triumph toothbrush with SmartGuide even has an LCD display with a diagram to tell you where to brush, and a digital readout to tell you how much longer.
Does that translate into better brushing? Research is inconclusive. But, says Stymiest: “Brushing with a manual toothbrush, if you’re doing it properly, is as effective as any type of mechanical brush.”
Expert Advice: While using a power toothbrush may not necessarily do a better job than a manual toothbrush, any engaging feature that motivates you to brush your teeth properly is going to make a difference in terms of your oral health. “People really have to choose something that they are going to like to use,” says Asadoorian. “That will help keep them brushing longer and more regularly.”
Interdental products
Not only does flossing help prevent gum disease, but it may actually stave off heart disease. So clean between your teeth at least once a day, say experts. “Despite how effective you are with brushing, without flossing you may still be leaving about 30 per cent of the plaque between your teeth,” Stymiest notes. Interdental brushes such as Proxabrush and Sulcabrush will also do the trick with their narrow sets of bristles that work to clean between the teeth and along the gum line.
Clinical trials have shown that water jets that blast debris from between your teeth and around your gums are as beneficial as flossing, as long as you use them with sufficiently high power. Waterpik and Conair both offer small, lightweight cordless designs.
Expert Advice: Go on personal preference, since water jets and interdental brushes both typically measure up to flossing. If you have difficulty handling floss, you may find that water jets are the way to go.
Toothpaste
• Many toothpastes contain plaque-fighting ingredients such as triclosan and xylitol. And Bionic Gel toothpaste, from a U.S.-based company, actually contains silver particles purported to battle gum disease and tooth decay. It’s available in Canada at some health food stores and dentist offices. As yet, no one brand of toothpaste has been proven superior to all the others.
– Best Health Magazine
