Responding to an article by Emine Saner, Gemma Hooson writes that there are no shortcuts to oral hygiene. Plus a letter by David Duell
Emine Saner offers a fascinating survey of the expensive toothbrush tech on offer (The rise of Big Toothbrush: how did our mouths become such a lucrative market?, 22 September). As a dental hygienist, however, I remind patients at every appointment that this simple fact remains: the best way to maintain oral hygiene is to brush for two minutes at least twice daily and to floss daily. No toothbrush offers a short-cut solution to this, no matter how expensive. A premium toothbrush risks becoming like a gym membership: reassuring to have, perhaps, but something that makes no difference unless it is used.
Gemma Hooson
London
• A toothbrush which gives “smart coverage feedback”? What is really smart is buying a multipack of eight “dumb” brushes for a couple of quid, which will last a couple of years. Every bit as good, if the article is to be believed.
David Duell
Durham