Very often patients ask me about what toothpaste they should use.  Seldom, however, am I asked about the best technique for cleaning teeth, when brushing should be done, how often they should brush, or for how long.

The subject of tooth cleansers can be confusing.  There are pastes, powders, cavity-fighting and gum-protecting formulas, as well as whitening varieties.  Most toothpastes use some form of mild abrasive to clean teeth, while others rely on enzymes to lift the stains out of your teeth. Some are foaming and some are not.  Most contain fluoride, while others don’t.

While I do have a personal favorite toothpaste, I honestly believe that an effective job of cleaning can be accomplished with the vast majority of toothpastes available on the market.  Why are there so many out there?  In a word: marketing.  I’m pretty sure toothpaste companies have discovered that if a toothpaste has the word “whitening” on it, they are likely to sell more than if it is omitted — even if the whitening benefit is small.

Some people have even taken to the idea that almost anything will work to clean your teeth.  Even soap.  Here is a short video I ran across recently that discusses this, and also why you may not want to wash your mouth out with soap.  I tend to agree that you should use the right product for the correct purpose.

 Click on the toothbrushes below to view the VIDEO:

For the curious, here is an earlier posting that answers some of the other questions discussed above, including how often you should brush.