Saying a mouthful

Experts in the field help readers brush up on dental health products.
By CATHY SECKMAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Have you ever gone to the drugstore fresh from a visit to your dentist?
You had good intentions, didn't you? You wanted to buy something that would help with oral hygiene, improve your dental health, and make your teeth look better, all at the same time.
Good intentions often wilt under the onslaught of choices in the dental products aisle. Is tartar control toothpaste better than baking soda toothpaste? Would extra fine floss or cinnamon waxed tape encourage you to develop a daily flossing habit? Which mouthwash is safe for your child? What is carbamide peroxide?
Stacey Tarica, cosmetician at Walgreen's on Market Street, fields questions like this every day, and knows what customers like. Since electric toothbrushes have come down in price, they've been a big seller in the dental products aisle.
YSU instructor: Hygienist Debbie Woytek of Youngstown also answers questions about dental products, especially electric toothbrushes. Woytek is a clinical instructor at Youngstown State University's School of Dental Hygiene, and also works in private practice.
"Everyone asks about them, everyone wants one, everyone uses them," she says. "We have several electric toothbrushes in the office that we use as demos. I like the Braun 3DXL because it's really comfortable, with a soft circular brush and two speeds. Everyone who gets it loves it. A Sonicare brush is more expensive, but the handle has a larger grip, and it's good for children and those with limited dexterity.
"The five-dollar electric brushes from Crest are great because they motivate kids to brush more. My children use them all the time."
Dr. Pam Barkett of Canfield likes the Spinbrush because it's a good motivator. "It's colorful and has a fancy grip, and kids love it. If it'll make them brush more, I'm all for it. Of course, you don't have to use an electric brush to do a good job. If you still like a standard manual brush, that's fine. You don't have to have anything else."
She prefers Butler brushes for adults, though Tarica reports that the most popular seller she sees is the Oral B manual brush.
In the tube: Toothpastes are another dental product that confuse consumers.
"There are 50 kinds to choose from, now," Woytek says. "All the manufacturers make every kind, whitening, desensitizing, fresh breath formula. I always tell patients to choose one with an ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval. Any toothpaste will do a good job, as long as you use it. For patients who like a baking soda paste, Dental Care from Arm and Hammer seems to be the best."
Dr. Barkett, who is faithful to Colgate herself, recommends any toothpaste her patients like, as long as it has an ADA seal and is fluoridated.
A popular seller is Colgate for Kids, complete with pictures of Taz, Tweety and Barbie.
Mouthwashes: With almost as many formulas as toothpaste, mouthwash is another confusing product. Are they necessary? Do they help prevent decay? Which is best for fresh breath?
If fresh breath is your only goal, says Woytek, choose anything. "Scope, Lavoris, whatever you like is fine for someone who just wants a good taste, but those mouthwashes aren't doing anything as far as killing bacteria. If that's what you want, go with something a little stronger. A lot of people don't like Listerine because of the strong taste, but hey, it comes in four flavors now, and that's the one that works. Listerine is high in alcohol, though, so for patients with a dry mouth I recommend Biotene, which is a salivary substitute."
For patients with periodontal, or gum and bone problems, Woytek recommends a mouthwash that contains peroxide, like Peroxyl.
Dr. Barkett likes an alcohol-free mouthwash such as Rembrandt, rather than Listerine. "I recommend a fluoridated mouthwash like Act for anyone who's cavity-prone, or for people who have well water. They do have bottled water now that's fluoridated, and I mention that to patients."
Besides the staples of toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash, dental products aisles contain a lot of specialty items used for specific purposes.
"At my office we recommend tongue scrapers," Dr. Barkett says, "along with Proxabrushes for kids with braces. Now we have Go-Betweens from Butler, a smaller interdental brush that works well with bridgework."
Scrape it: Tongue scrapers are used for plaque control. Plaque that builds up on the tongue has been shown to contribute to bad breath. A scraper with a serrated edge might be made of reusable plastic or disposable cardboard.
Interdental brushes like the Proxabrush and Go-Between are tiny, flexible brushes on handles that clean behind and under braces and bridgework.
Woytek's favorite fringe item is Pocket Paks, a new breath freshener from Listerine. Pocket Paks are small strips about the size of postage stamps that dissolve instantly when placed on the tongue, releasing a powerful surge of Listerine flavor.
"They're the greatest thing since sliced bread. Everyone seems to like them because they give you a really big punch. It goes right up into your sinuses."