Dental Care

How to choose dental care that fixes the problem

Most toothpaste does the same job. The differences matter when you have a specific issue, so start with the problem.

Sensitive teeth

Sensitivity to cold or sweet things usually means exposed dentine. Sensodyne Repair & Protect or Pronamel, used twice daily for at least two weeks, calms it for most people. Spit, do not rinse, after brushing so the active ingredient stays on the teeth. Sensitivity that is new, severe or in one tooth needs a dentist.

Bleeding or sore gums

Bleeding gums are a sign of gum inflammation, not a reason to brush less. A chlorhexidine mouthwash such as Corsodyl or PerioKin used for two weeks, plus daily flossing or interdental brushes, settles most cases. Chlorhexidine stains teeth with long use, so switch to a daily gum-care rinse after the two weeks. Bleeding that persists needs a hygienist.

Bad breath

Persistent bad breath is almost always from the tongue and gums, not the stomach. CB12 is the mouthwash with the best evidence for neutralising the sulphur gases that cause it, and a tongue scraper helps more than extra brushing.

Whitening

Spotlight Oral Care, an Irish dentist-founded brand, uses hydrogen peroxide strips that lighten teeth safely over two weeks. Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains but cannot change the underlying shade. Always see a dentist before whitening if you have fillings or crowns at the front, as these will not change colour.

Electric toothbrushes

An electric brush removes more plaque than manual brushing for most people, mainly because it times you and stops you scrubbing. Oral-B's round heads and Spotlight's sonic brushes are both good; pick the one whose replacement heads you will actually buy. Replace heads every three months.

Children

Use a fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth: a smear under three, a pea-sized amount from three to six, and supervise until about seven. Spotlight's kids' electric brush makes the two minutes easier. Teething gels such as Bonjela Teething Gel help from two months; adult Bonjela is not for babies.

Dentures and braces

Steradent tablets clean dentures daily without scratching. For braces, orthodontic wax covers sharp edges and an interdental brush gets behind the wires where a toothbrush cannot.