STORY BYWe've all heard them - the taunts of toothbrush fairies as we stare blankly at the oral hygiene aisle.
We make it into the store, down the aisle and in sight of the easiest decision we'll make that day. before marketing reminds us we need more than just "a brush."
We need a plaque-remover, enamel whitener, a confidence booster, a self-esteem raiser and a guaranteed Friday night date.
Within minutes, any old toothbrush just won't do - we need the latest trend in teeth cleaning technology.
About 4 years ago that trend was the flexible head toothbrush, or flex-heads, as identified by Donna Warren, a registered dental hygienist and associate professor at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston and Holly Rice, also a registered dental hygienist and a clinical assistant professor at the Dental Branch.
Warren and Rice, with the help of Stewart Turner, Ph.D., associate professor at the Dental Branch, decided to see if the hype of flex-heads could stand up to a scientific study.
Following 3 months of clinical studies on 20 people of varying demographics, Warren and Rice found there was no significant difference between the effect of a non-flexible toothbrush and two flexible head toothbrushes - placing a scientific hole in the manufacturers' claims.
The makers of various flexible head toothbrushes promised potential buyers major benefits, with plaque-removing abilities at the top of the list, Rice says. But the clinical studies show that approximately 50 percent of plaque was removed with both types of brushes.
Apparently the act of brushing was more important.
In the Journal of Dental Hygiene where the study was published, Warren and Rice reported that factors to be considered when removing plaque, other than brush design, are the patient's brushing ability, length of brushing time and frequency of brushing. Because these factors play a large role in one's oral health, dental hygienists should emphasize oral hygiene education, behavior modification and prevention of plaque build-up, as opposed to selecting the right miracle brush.
Unless we want to see a new TV reality series, there is no way for the oral health industry to invade your bathroom every morning, force you to brush at least 2 minutes and remind you to not miss your molars. Tooth brush design is far easier to control.
"Therefore, manufacturers are constantly trying to find the toothbrush design that removes the most plaque from the most tooth surfaces, with the least amount of individual effort," the study reports.
"When the flexible head toothbrush came out, [the manufacturers] were claiming wonders about their particular products. They all were," Rice says. "I am still in private practice and I have people ask me all the time which toothbrush they should use."
One of those people who often questions the design of her brush is Alma Hernandez, 39, of Stafford, Tex. Hernandez was recently shopping in her local grocery store when she realized the 3 months (replacement time recommended by the American Dental Association) were up on her toothbrush.
"It's a hard decision because I get different answers from different people," she said as her eyes wandered across the hundreds of choices. Prior to being told about Warren and Rice's study she decided to buy a flex-head brush. "It just looks like it can do a better job."
However, Warren and Rice warn that looks can be deceiving – and costly. As their study shows, there's more to consider than the design de jour of the tooth brush head.
"People choose toothbrushes for different reasons," Warren says. "Women normally like the smaller heads because they fit in their mouths better. Some people choose toothbrushes based on whether the size of the handle can fit in their holder. It just depends.
"But what we tell people is to just use a clean soft bristle brush. As long as it has soft bristles, it's fine. Harder bristle brushes damage the gums and enamel (protective coating) on your teeth."
Rice and Warren also recommend that each quadrant of your mouth (upper right, lower left, etc.) be brushed for at least 30 seconds, which works as well as any high priced designer brush in removing plaque and preventing oral illnesses.
Bottom line, if you want your dream date, a career boost or children who will become president, forget which tooth brush to buy.
Focus on the toothpaste, instead. (Another tooth fairy joke.)
UPDATED: 9-20-2004
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Dietary fiber is versatile and talented. It assists in discouraging a long list of woes: constipation, hemorrhoids, heart disease, diabetes, bad cholesterol and certain cancers.
Foods such as apples, berries, oranges, beans, broccoli, bran, multigrain breads and cereals should be added slowly into your diet, followed by an increase in fluid intake. Eventually you want to work up to 4 ½ cups of high fiber foods a day.
Otherwise, you might find yourself feeling more bloated, gassy or experiencing stomach cramps.So, add one high-fiber food at a time about a week apart. Increase your water intake (which includes unsweetened teas, diet sodas, juice) to eight glasses a day to help the fiber move through your system.
