Brushing your teeth is as vital as sleeping and eating. Twice each day, we are to adhere to the ritual of brushing and flossing. These daily activities of dental maintenance and care can make or break the health of our teeth. Choosing the right toothbrush is equally as important as the brushing strokes and frequency itself. To make certain your teeth and gums receive the proper upkeep, there are several factors to think about before you launch into the world of toothbrush shopping.
– Size – The best toothbrush head should allow you easy access to all surfaces of your teeth. For the average adult, a toothbrush head that’s a half-inch wide and one-inch tall will be the most effective to use. Though there are larger toothbrush heads available, you’ll find that it’s difficult to maneuver them to clean hard-to-reach areas. The toothbrush should have a handle that’s long enough to hold comfortably and should make it easy for you to clean the sides and back of your molars.
– Variety of bristle – There are three varieties of bristles to choose from when you go to the drugstore to make your purchase. If you’re opting for either a manual or electric toothbrush, you’ll also have the option to select a head with soft, medium, or hard nylon bristles that have rounded tips to ensure complete coverage of your teeth when cleaning. Soft bristles tend to be the most comfortable and safest choice for a majority of people. However, your selection will depend on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the current strength of your teeth. It’s important to note that medium and hard-bristled toothbrushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective enamel of the tooth.
– Recommendation by your dentist – While the experience of shopping for a toothbrush can be overwhelming, it’s a good idea to ask your dentist which type would suit you best based on their professional assessment of your teeth. A dentist will ensure your toothbrush has undergone rigorous quality control tests for cleaning effectiveness and safety. Also, look for manual or electric toothbrushes that have earned the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval. This seal gives you the confidence that the bristles have safe tips, they will not fall out of the toothbrush under typical brushing conditions, and they will withstand normal usage.
You can’t overestimate the importance of good oral hygiene for your overall well-being. In fact, gum disease is a risk factor that can develop into potentially serious health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. From the time we were young, we’re taught that regularly using a toothbrush is the ultimate way to keep the gums and teeth healthy. But which toothbrush is best for your needs?
1. Manual toothbrush – Also referred to as disposable toothbrushes, as long as the bristles will effectively reduce plaque build-up and gum disease in their early stages, a manual toothbrush is optimum if you’re more likely to use it. Some people may not like the vibrating feeling of a powered toothbrush, thus a disposable choice might work well for your budget and convenience when traveling.
2. Electric toothbrush – Some people find this powered variety easier to clean all tooth surfaces. This may be especially true for those with conditions that limit mobility, such as painful arthritis. Two minutes is the recommended length of time for brushing, and some powered varieties have a built-in timer to let you know when you’ve devoted enough time to brushing. With the electric toothbrush, there is a rotation of the bristles that go round and round and back and forth. These can be more effective than the manual toothbrush.
As with all good oral hygiene, keeping your gums and teeth healthy is priority; it’s simply a matter of which type suits your lifestyle. Dr. Dillard of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Charleston, SC has the answers to your questions covered. He and his associates will help you throughout your dental consultation, exam, cleaning, and potential treatment, so you can better understand which toothbrush you need and how to properly care for your smile. His office in the Lowcountry is ready to restore your confidence and make your dental regimen as comfortable and effective as possible. Contact his office and see what everyone is talking about in the Lowcountry.