Are On-The-Go Brushes Worth it?

on the go toothbrushAs busy Americans, we are all on the go now more than ever. Our busy lives keep us moving day in and day out, often keeping us from doing some of the most essential activities of the day, such as brushing our teeth.

Hopefully, most of us are now in the habit of brushing our teeth at least twice a day – once in the morning and once at night. However, there are other times during our fast-paced days when we may need another quick brush to keep our teeth and mouths as healthy as possible.

No matter how devoted to proper oral hygiene we may be, many of us do not remember to bring our toothbrush and toothpaste along as we head out for the day. Fortunately, dental product producing companies such as Scope, Colgate and Fresh-Tips have invented handy disposable or “on-the-go” toothbrushes that are a temporary substitute for our normal toothbrush while we are away from home.

Related :Hard vs Soft Toothbrush.

People often ask us here at Smile Concepts if these on-the-go toothbrushes are really worth using at all. They wonder if it is worth the money and the time to squeeze in an extra brush during the day or if their routine morning and night brushing will do the trick.

Better Than Nothing

There is nothing that would make dentists everywhere happier than if everyone would focus on brushing more often. The truth is, most people do not think about brushing during the middle of the day unless they have just eaten a sandwich loaded with onions. When you feel the need to brush during the day and you do not have your toothbrush with you, a disposable toothbrush is definitely better than nothing. Most of these products will do a good job of providing a basic brush.

It’s All About Timing

The question of whether or not you should use an on-the-go toothbrush is not as important as the question of when you should use it. It is important that you are careful about using a disposable toothbrush just after drinking soda, for example, as it might actually spread the sugar and acid further and cause greater damage to the enamel of your teeth. In some cases, it may be better to wait for 30 to 60 minutes after you eat before brushing. This is especially true when you have consumed sugary foods.

Related: Electric Toothbrushes.

I am definitely not suggesting that you should not use disposable toothbrushes during the day when you do not have access to your regular toothbrush. Just be sure to wait until the enamel on your teeth has had time to re-harden. Remember that, even if you do use an on-the-go toothbrush, it will never replace your normal brushing in the morning and night. If you have any other questions that I did not cover, please feel free to call me at Smile Concepts 480-951-2800.

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