Dental question

[jamjar,]

My 12 yr old dd has just started wearing braces. The dentist gave her a prescription for Duraphat toothpaste, and asked me to buy Swirl mouthwash at the reception desk, which was £4. Does anyone know if this can be purchased cheaper in the chemists, or is there an alternative? She has nearly finished the Swirl already, and has only been using it for a few weeks.

[Toothsmith]

I don't think there's anything particularly special about Swirl mouthwash. It's pretty similar to Listerine and all the ones like that.

If it was a 500ml bottle though, and she's got through it in a week she's using too much.

Did the dentist give instruction on when and how to use each product?

If she's using it straight after brushing with duraphat toothpaste, then the (weaker) mouthwash will be washing away all the active ingredients of the toothpaste!

[jamjar,]

Thank you Toothsmith. She has been using it for a few weeks, but I will check that she isn't using too much, and I see your point about it washing away the toothpaste. i will talk to the dentist when we visit again in a couple of weeks about when to use it.

[Toothsmith]

Sorry - I misread!

I read she'd been using it for a week - not a few weeks!!:o

[SuziQ]

My dentist rec my daughter to use the oral b mouthwash whilst she was in braces. Luckily it was regulalrly 3 for 2 in tesco! He never specified a particular paste though.