There are so many products on the market that it may become confusing, and choosing between all the products can be difficult. Here are some suggestions for choosing dental care products that will work for most patients.
Automatic and high-tech electronic toothbrushes are safe and effective for the majority of patients. Oral irrigators (water spraying devices) will rinse your mouth thoroughly, but will not remove plaque. You still need to brush and floss in conjunction with the irrigator. We see excellent results with electric toothbrush made by Crest / Oral B and Philips Sonicare.
Some manual toothbrushes have a rubber tip on the end of the handle; this is used to massage the gums after brushing. If there are larger spaces between the teeth, there are tiny brushes (interproximal toothbrushes) that can be used to clean between your teeth. If these are used improperly you could injure the gums, so be sure to discuss proper use of these brushes with your doctor.
If used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses can reduce tooth decay as much as 40 percent. Remember, these rinses are not recommended for children under six years of age. Tartar control toothpastes will reduce tartar above the gum line, but gum disease starts below the gum line so these products have not been proven to reduce the early stage of gum disease.
Anti-plaque rinses, approved by the American Dental Association, contain agents that may help bring early gum disease under control. Use these only in conjunction with brushing and flossing.