Cruise the dental products aisle of any pharmacy and you'll see a wide array of toothbrushes and toothpastes. Which are best? According to dentist Celia Nzabalinda who heads the dental department of the Victoria Street clinic, fancy doesn't necessarily mean better.

The clinic recommends a soft bristle brush that should be discarded when the bristles are bent, or after an illness. Staff there also recommend a toothbrush timer for children. Natural healing therapist Garen Simmons suggests that between brushings the head of the toothbrush be kept in hydrogen peroxide to kill plaque and tartar-building organisms.

Jane McMurray, dental hygienist at Positive Image Dental, recommends an electronic toothbrush with a timer. She said the advantage is that most electronic brushes will stop if a person is applying too much pressure. And brushing too hard is a common problem she sees with clients.

Additionally an electronic toothbrush tends to motivate us to brush longer, she said. But she warned that it's important to pay attention while brushing. "If you don't you may spend two minutes brushing but maybe just in one area of your mouth," she said.

Dr. Nzabalinda said fluoride toothpaste is best. "Only a pea-size amount of paste is needed for children with less for young children. Slightly more may be desirable for adults but it is not necessary to fill the length of the brush with paste," she said.

To learn the best way to brush your teeth watch the Tooth Team video: www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=504&&activetab=TabCTRL_DropDownTabsGovernment1&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true

Dental health practitioners also recommend daily flossing and scraping of the tongue.