5 of the best
TOOTHBRUSHES
THE most recent surveys show half of us have gum disease and nearly 70 per cent have visible plaque — a build-up of bacteria and debris, a chief cause of tooth decay. The right technique — and the right brush — are key. Here, Sefa Ahiaku, a dentist at Orchard Dental Practice in Wallasey, Liverpool, selects five of the best toothbrushes.
BEST ALL ROUNDER
Oral-B SmartSeries 6500 electric toothbrush, £102.45, amazon.co.uk
I’VE been using this brush for around eight years and it is fantastic. It comes with different modes to change the intensity of brushing, and brush heads for an everyday clean, sensitive teeth or even to clean your tongue — which can also be a source of plaque.
The brush head has oscillating rotation motion, which is good for dislodging debris. A Cochrane review in 2014 concluded that rotation oscillation reduced plaque and inflammation of the gums better than those with side-to-side action.
BEST MANUAL BRUSH
Curaprox CS5460 ultrasoft toothbrush, £4.49, curaprox.co.uk
THERE’S good evidence to show that a soft brush like this can be just as effective at removing plaque as an electric brush — if you have the right technique. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle against the spot where the gums and teeth meet and move the brush in small, circular motion. Repeat on the inside and outside of every tooth — then brush the biting surface.
This brush is so soft it would be difficult to cause damage and the head bends, making it easier to get to the back teeth, an area many people miss.
BEST FOR TRAVEL
Colgate ProClinical Pocket-Pro, £65, Debenhams stores
THIS electric brush is perfect for travel as it is lightweight. It has three different types of bristle — hard at the top, medium in the middle and soft at the edge — and vibrates, which helps clean the tooth surface. You would need interdental brushes or floss for inbetween the teeth, but this is more than adequate for a short holiday.
BEST FOR CHILDREN
Aquafresh Little Teeth soft toothbrush, £2, most supermarkets
PERFECTLY designed for children’s smaller hands and mouths, the bristles are softer than most brushes — so it’s only suitable up to age six when children start to lose their baby teeth. To get the best out of a manual brush, use a timer to ensure you’re doing it for two minutes — and remember to brush the gum line, where a lot of plaque-forming bacteria can lurk.
BEST FOR A THOROUGH CLEAN
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush, now £104.99, Argos and Boots
THIS is a powerful toothbrush that vibrates at an impressive 31,000 brushstrokes a minute and makes your teeth feel as if you have visited a hygienist. It might feel too powerful if you have inflamed or diseased gums, though.