The key to preventing most, if not all, dental problems is to follow a good oral hygiene regimen:

1. Brushing teeth twice a day (one occasion being last thing at night) with a fluoride-containing toothpaste

2. Using floss or interdental brushes daily to remove plaque and food debris from between the teeth and under the gum line

3. Rinsing with a mouthwash that contains fluoride to remove bacteria from hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, as well as from the tongue, gums and roof of the mouth. This should not be used at the same time as brushing as it washes away the fluoride in the toothpaste, lessening its impact.

If oral health problems have already occurred, the following can be recommended:

• OTC oral analgesics containing a local anaesthetic such as benzocaine (e.g. Orajel Dental Gel) can be recommended to help relieve the pain of toothache, caused by issues such as tooth decay, until the customer can see a dentist.
• Specialist mouthwashes (e.g. CB12, ultraDEX) can be used as part of this routine to neutralise and prevent the formation of the gases that cause bad breath.
• Specialist toothpastes and mouthwashes may help sensitive teeth (e.g. those in the Sensodyne and Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief ranges). Customers could also be advised
  to see a dentist to check if fillings are needed.
• Antiseptic products such as those containing chlorhexidine (e.g. Care Chlorhexidine Digluconate Antiseptic Mouthwash, Colgate Pro Gum Health 0.2% Antiseptic Mouthwash, Corsodyl Mouthwash, Gel and Spray) may help treat and prevent gingivitis.