#ToothTalkTuesday: "What type of ________ should I be using?"

Hey y'all! Thanks to everyone who engaged with our first #ToothTalkTuesday! This week we're back to answer another very common question: "What type of toothbrush/toothpaste/floss should I be using?" First off, if you're asking this question, kudos to you for being interested in having a healthy mouth! My answer is explained in better detail in the video above, but here's the simple version: it's generally not what type of product you're using, but the way you use it that is most important. For the average individual, different brands of toothbrushes or different formulations of toothpaste are less important than a good understanding of how to use cleaning aides to effectively remove plaque (bacteria) from the mouth. However, I do give a few baseline recommendations:

• Toothbrush: if you're using a manual toothbrush, get a soft or extra soft brush head. Medium and firm brushes can be harmful to the enamel.
• Toothpaste: for most, a standard, fluoridated toothpaste is all that is needed. For those with sensitive teeth, a formulated toothpaste like Sensodyne can be helpful. However, it is best to have a comprehensive dental exam to determine the cause of the sensitivity, which can widely vary. In kids or adults at a high risk for decay, a high-fluoride toothpaste can be prescribed.
• Floss/cleaning aides: Waxed vs. unwaxed, picks vs. Plackers. The debate rages on. Here are my recommendations: if flossing, be sure that you wrap the floss around the teeth as you clean (see the video for a demonstration) rather than simply popping the floss in and out of the contacts between the tooth. I personally use and recommend Soft-Picks as an adjunct to brushing and flossing. I've found that these cleaners do an excellent job cleaning the teeth, and they also help reduce the prevalence of bleeding from the gums that goes along with gingivitis. 

What other questions would you like to have answered? Comment on this post, send us an email, or shoot us a Facebook message, and we'll answer your questions on a future #ToothTalkTuesday. Have a great one!