Guide to Oral Care and Choosing a Suitable Toothpaste

Daily oral care needs good choices and regular habits more than many products: a soft toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth.

Daily Basics

• Brush twice daily for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, as the American Dental Association recommends.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to reduce friction on gums, replacing it every three to four months or when the bristles splay.
• Spit out excess toothpaste after brushing without immediately rinsing with water, so fluoride stays on the teeth longer.
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental brushes, as a regular toothbrush cannot reach these spaces.

Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

Sensitive-teeth toothpaste is a suitable option if you feel a twinge with hot or cold food. Many contain potassium salts, such as potassium nitrate, requiring regular use for sufficient time before a difference is noticeable. Do not judge them after only a few days. If sensitivity persists or affects one tooth, see a dentist; decay or receding gums may be the cause.

• Sensodyne Original Toothpaste 75 ml— original Sensodyne toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Sensodyne Multi Care Whitening Toothpaste 50 ml— combines sensitive-teeth care with whitening.
• Sensodyne Extra Fresh Toothpaste 50 ml— a refreshing-flavour version for sensitive teeth in a 50 ml pack.
• Lacalut Sensitive Toothpaste with Toothbrush 75 ml— sensitive-teeth toothpaste supplied with a toothbrush.
• Blanx Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste 75 ml— BlanX toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Aloedent Optima Sensitive Toothpaste 100 ml— AloeDent toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains from coffee, tea and smoking but do not change a tooth's natural colour. Use moderately; if teeth are sensitive, choose toothpaste combining sensitivity care and whitening.

• Lacalut White Toothpaste 75 ml— a whitening toothpaste from Lacalut.
• Parodontax Whitening Toothpaste 75 ml— a whitening toothpaste from Parodontax.
• Crest 3D White Deep Clean Charcoal Toothpaste 75 ml— a deep-cleaning charcoal toothpaste from Crest.
• Blanx Intensive Stain Removal Toothpaste 75 ml— a stain-removal toothpaste.

Gum Care

Bleeding gums when brushing deserve attention and a dental visit. Gum-care toothpastes complement correct brushing and flossing and do not replace examination.

• LACALUT Aktiv Toothpaste 100 ml— Lacalut Aktiv toothpaste for gum care.
• Parodontax Fluoride Bleeding Gum Toothpaste 75 ml— Parodontax fluoride toothpaste for bleeding gums.

Brushes, Floss and Interdental Cleaning

Manual and electric toothbrushes are similar in effectiveness when used correctly. Floss suits tight spaces, while interdental brushes suit wider gaps and areas around braces. Avoid wooden toothpicks, which may injure gums.

• Sensodyne Pronamel Toothbrush Extra Soft 1 Piece— an extra-soft Sensodyne toothbrush for enamel protection.
• Oral-B Orthodentic Toothbrush Soft— a soft toothbrush designed for people with braces.
• Oral-B Essential Mint Waxed Dental Floss 50 m— 50 metres of waxed dental floss that glides easily.
• Family Train Floss Toothpick Floss Picks 60 Pieces— a ready-to-use floss holder making back teeth easier to clean.
• Faj Brush Interdental Brushes 30 Pieces— interdental brushes for wider gaps.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash complements brushing and flossing and does not replace them. The NHS recommends using it at a different time from brushing, such as after lunch, to avoid washing away toothpaste fluoride. Young children should only use mouthwash under supervision.

• Listerine Green Tea Mouthwash 250 ml— a Listerine green-tea mouthwash.
• Listerine Advanced White Mild Alcohol-Free Mouthwash 250 ml— Listerine Advanced White mouthwash for tooth brightness.
• Lacalut Aktiv Mouthwash 300 ml— Lacalut Aktiv mouthwash complementing toothpaste from the same range.
• Aloedent Sensitive Aloe Vera Mouthwash 250 ml— an aloe vera mouthwash for sensitive teeth.

Children's Teeth

For children under three, a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste is enough. From age three, use a pea-sized amount, with parental supervision until the child learns to spit without swallowing.

• Crest Kids 2Y+ Toothpaste 50 ml— Crest toothpaste for children aged two and over.
• Lacalut Baby Toothpaste 50 ml— toothpaste intended for infants and young children.

Visit the dentist once or twice a year and consult the pharmacist if unsure what to choose. Browse more in the Oral Care sections.