Dental product quality (toothpaste/mouthwash) - MSE tips?

jfh7gwa

Since getting some excellent advice on here about how to treat my teeth better, I've been looking at the products I use (or don't use, but should, for mouthwash for example ). And I wondered how far the MSE ethos goes with dental products, because my usual tactic of "buy the cheapest and if it's crap go up a brand level" isn't particularly helpful here.

So I was wondering if there is anything I should know about avoiding cheap dental brand products, or buying more expensive ones? Any ingredients I should be avoiding in toothpaste or mouthwash? (A direct equivalent for haircare products would be to avoid the silicone-based shampoos as their temp shine results in longterm split ends on my hair over time.)

Product examples:
Smartprice Mouthwash vs. Listerine
SmartPrice toothpaste at 17p a tube instead of Colgate tubes at 3 quid each?

I actually use 'ASDA Protect Sensitive Toothpaste' at 50p per 100ml, but is Sensodyne or proper branded stuff any better? I have tried branded stuff, but they didn't seem to be better or worse. So if anyone disagrees, why/why not?

Clearly I can look at their ingredient list, but I have no idea if they essentially are all of equal value, or if you truly do get what you pay for. I guess that's how the marketing works for healthcare products - marketeers exploit people's ignorances.

I'd appreciate any insight from other MSErs on this topic, to alleviate that ignorance slightly

brook2jack

Don't use mouthwash.
You should spit don't rinse after brushing to keep fluoride in contact with teeth for longer. Using a mouthwash just washes all this away. Not only that but if you use mouthwash within an hour of toothpaste the toothpaste ingredients stop the mouthwash cleaners working anyway!

Spend the money instead on floss or tepe brushes whichever is recommended by your dentist.

Oh and unless you are prescribed it don't use mouthwash!!! 90% are classified by the American FDA as cosmetic ie they have no proven health benefits. As many contain alcohol they dry out your mouth and make bad breath worse. Don't use mouthwash.

brook2jack

I use whatever toothpaste is on special or free samples. So long as it contains fluoride it's fine.

If you need to use sensitive toothpaste just use it last thing at night rubbing it on sensitive teeth with your finger and don't rinse out. Use ordinary toothpaste the rest of the time.

I_luv_cats

A dentist (years and years ago) said to avoid mouthwash and just use water.

Can't remember why, whether it was about erosion or no actual benefits.

I like to buy the completes/totals toothpaste when they are on offer. Stocked up when Tesco had Aquafresh complete B1G2F

Had a wee sample of OralB pro and it tasted lovely. Aquafresh Ultimate sample not so tasty.

brook2jack

Dont even rinse with water. Just spit don't rinse.

Many mouthwashes have an acid ph , many contain alcohol, less than 10% have any clinical benefit and those should be used for a short time only for a specific problem as advised by a dentist.

On the whole mouthwashes are a triumph of marketing over proven clinical benefit.

jfh7gwa

ah ha! Ok, very glad I posted about this now then.

I'll stop using the mouthwash, only recently started anyway (a non-alcoholic one). I have some Corsodol in the cupboard from a few months ago (gum issue, advised by dentist to get some and use it for a while) and some other brand cheap stuff, I'll just stop with that now then.

brook2jack

Corsodyl will stain your teeth brown if used for more than a short time.

If you've had gum problems then learn to use the right size toothbrush (small medium softness) ,floss daily (under the gumline and in a c shape around the teeth you tube has videos on flossing) and if you have larger gaps use tepe brushes as well.

I_luv_cats

I stock up on Superdrug own interdentals and floss when on special offer. (2 for £2 and 25% till receipt surveys etc.)

It's lovely having clear gaps where for years had scale instead. (ghastly 2 visits to hygienist though 1-2 years ago!)

The_One_Who

I hope one of the lovely dentists on here can tell me this. What, if anything other than the price, is the difference between the Oral-B 'Pro Expert' toothpaste and the Oral-B '1-2-3' toothpaste?

brook2jack

Pro expert Has stannous fluoride in it ,supposed to be more effective against decay than fluoride in other forms. My personal feeling is there is very little reason to differentiate toothpastes except if you have sensitive teeth or if you need to avoid sls or cinnamon in toothpastes. So long as it has fluoride in high enough concentration I personally don't think any one is better than another.

The_One_Who

Thanks, I knew there had to be something different about them! I'm sure I read that all the 'Pro Expert' toothpastes (whitening, enamel protection, etc) are the same toothpaste, just packaged differently?