The ÉclatDent blog

The Smile Blog

Expert tips, routines and real results for a radiant smile.

130 articles

Does whitening toothpaste harm enamel? RDA explainedWhitening & stains

Does whitening toothpaste harm enamel? RDA explained

No, provided you check its RDA, the abrasiveness index measured on dentine: below 70, a whitening toothpaste polishes surface stains without wearing the enamel, every day; above 100,...

· 6 min read

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Interdental brushes or floss: which should you choose?Brushing & brushes

Interdental brushes or floss: which should you choose?

It depends on the space between your teeth: floss slips into tight gaps, interdental brushes clean wider gaps, receded gums, braces and bridges better, and they are easier...

· 5 min read

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Soft, Medium or Hard Bristles: Which Toothbrush Should You Choose?Brushing & brushes

Soft, Medium or Hard Bristles: Which Toothbrush Should You Choose?

Soft, for almost everyone. It is not the hardness of the bristles that removes plaque, a soft film, but the regular, methodical contact of the filaments; hard bristles...

· 5 min read

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Fluoride-free toothpaste: who is it for, and what are the risks?Ingredients & formulas

Fluoride-free toothpaste: who is it for, and what are the risks?

Fluoride at 1450 ppm is the best-proven cavity protection there is; going without it is not trivial. A fluoride-free toothpaste can be justified in rare cases: a proven...

· 5 min read

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Toothpaste tablets or tube: which should you pick?Ingredients & formulas

Toothpaste tablets or tube: which should you pick?

Both clean; the difference is the format, not effectiveness as such. Solid wins on packaging and travel, but many tablets are fluoride-free or under-dosed, and the foam is...

· 5 min read

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Brushing your teeth before or after breakfast?Brushing & brushes

Brushing your teeth before or after breakfast?

Before, in most cases. Orange juice, coffee, fruit, yoghurt: an acidic breakfast temporarily softens the enamel, and brushing right after wears it. Brushing before removes the night’s plaque...

· 4 min read

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Mouthwash: useful or unnecessary if you already have a good toothpaste?Fresh breath

Mouthwash: useful or unnecessary if you already have a good toothpaste?

With a good fluoride toothpaste and interdental cleaning, mouthwash is superfluous for most people: it does not remove plaque, it acts chemically. It becomes useful after surgery, for...

· 4 min read

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Electric or Manual Toothbrush: What Difference Does It Make to Your Smile?Brushing & brushes

Electric or Manual Toothbrush: What Difference Does It Make to Your Smile?

A well-used manual brush already cleans very well: two minutes, twice a day, without pressing. The problem is that almost nobody really does it. A sonic electric brush...

· 6 min read

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Tongue scraper: does it really help with bad breath?Fresh breath

Tongue scraper: does it really help with bad breath?

Yes, provided you expect the right thing from it: a tongue scraper removes the coating at the back of the tongue, where bacteria produce the sulphur compounds behind...

· 5 min read

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