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Many people use toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and whitening agents, but did you ever consider how they work and what is really going on. Keeping your teeth and your mouth clean is a very important process to prevent pain, infection, and many other problems. By understanding why and how these products work, you may be able to better select a product to meet your needs next time you are out shopping.
What is important to know about using a toothbrush?
It is important that you select the right brush. For most people, a soft bristle brush is best. Medium and hard brushes used regularly on the teeth and gums can cause pain, inflammation, and gum recession.
Mechanical toothbrushes may provide some additional cleansing motion during the brushing process, and some provide ultrasonic pulses that help to break up tartar and plaque. If you, however, can't afford them then using regular toothbrushes is perfectly fine.
What is important to know about toothpaste?
Toothpaste works in two ways.
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Many have small particles that are abrasive to the enamel of the tooth. These small abrasive particles help to break-up and scrub away plaque and tartar that lead to cavities and gingival disease. The other main part of toothpaste is the fluoride component. Fluoride began to be added in the 1950's and has approval by the American Dental Association (ADA). Fluoride is used to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities from forming. In the US most all toothpaste contains fluoride in the concentration of 1000 to 1100 parts per million. This leads to a lot of consistency between brands, and suggests that cheaper brands are comparable to more expensive brands.
To combat tooth sensitivity some toothpaste manufacturers produced brands that deal with this problem. Most products contain the ingredient potassium nitrate. This agent works on the nerves around the teeth and reduces their sensation to hot, cold, sweet, etc.
In some other countries, products are used that actually repair the damaged enamel so the stimulus can't penetrate the teeth.
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What is important to know about mouthwash?
Mouthwashes are an important way to clean teeth between and during brushing. They work by manually washing away food particles, and by killing the bacteria that cause cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath. Many products use alcohol as the primary agent to kill the bacteria, and have been proven very effective. Cetylpyridinium chloride is also being used in some products, and is supposed to cause less of the burning sensation and dry mouth associated with alcohol-based mouthwashes.
What is important to know about whitening agents?
Most products use hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. The hydrogen peroxide penetrates the tooth and sets off a chemical reaction that breaks apart stains. Over-the-counter products are effective and relatively inexpensive, although they may cause more discomfort and less ease-of-use than the whitening available through your dentists.
Any other questions can be directed to your Pharmacist, Dentist, or www.ADA.ORG.
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