Brushes and other oral health accessories

According to a recent study, nearly a third of French people brush their teeth only once a day, whereas brushing after each meal would be ideal. However, there is no shortage of brushes and oral health accessories on offer. In this article we explain how to find your way around.

Toothbrushes: electric or manual? 

With 11.5% of users in France, the electric toothbrush is not about to worry the traditional manual toothbrush, although it is becoming increasingly popular. Whether you choose one or the other, in both cases you should opt for models with a small head, which can reach hard-to-reach areas. If your gums are fragile, you should prefer a toothbrush with soft or extra soft bristles. In any case, the brushing time should last on average three minutes for an effective cleaning of all the dental areas. Remember that the right gesture takes precedence over everything else, especially the type of toothbrush you use. However, some studies tend to show that electric brushes are more effective, especially those that combine an alternating rotating movement with pulses. In any case, it seems to be accepted that the acquisition of an adapted gesture is easier with an electric brush than with a manual brush. So get your chargers!

The tongue scraper

Many of the manual toothbrushes you find in shops are now equipped with a tongue scraper on the back of the head. This little accessory is very effective, but is still underused. It can reduce the bacterial mass in the mouth by up to 60%, and thus combat the formation of plaque and bad breath. The tongue scraper should be used every time you brush your teeth for optimum effectiveness. 

Dental floss and interdental brushes

In order to fight plaque effectively, you can combine the toothbrush and the tongue scraper with the use of dental floss or interdental brushes. These two accessories allow you to better clean the interdental spaces that the toothbrush cannot reach. It is important to know that these spaces are protective niches for bacteria! They represent the main risk of dental caries and gum disease. The use of brushes is essential for patients with a history of periodontitis (loosening of the gums) and for those with dental implants.

Contrary to what you might think, it is best to floss before brushing your teeth, in order to remove any bacteria that you may have dislodged with the floss!

Mouthwash 

To complete your oral hygiene, you can use a mouthwash, preferably after brushing in the evening. However, although it can clean the mouth and give a fresh breath effect, it should never replace brushing your teeth. Please note that there are only a few mouthwashes suitable for daily use; therapeutic mouthwashes should not be used for more than 15 days. There are mouthwashes with essential oils suitable for regular use. Do not hesitate to ask your dentist or pharmacist for advice.