At David A. Rice, DDS, Dr. David Rice is often asked how to select the most basic tool of oral hygiene, the toothbrush. Picking a toothbrush can be as difficult as choosing a paint color, and there seem to be just as many choices.
If you have visited the dental section of your local grocery store or drugstore lately, you know what I am talking about. There are brushes with bristles of varying lengths, brushes that massage your gums, and brushes that change color when they are used up. (If I had to rate them purely on their fun factor, I would choose the Spiderman brush.)
Some toothbrush manufacturers claim their brushes freshen your breath or remove stains from your teeth. How do you pick the best one?
One crucial factor is the firmness of the bristles. Hard bristles may be more effective for cleaning burnt steak off a grill or hard water deposits off a shower floor. However, this does not hold true for your teeth. Medium and firm brushes can weaken your gums. Soft and extra-soft bristles are plenty stiff enough to wash plaque, food particles, and surface stains from your teeth. Soft bristles also provide more flexibility for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
After having dental work or oral surgery, especially anything involving soft tissue grafts, ensure that you use an extra-soft brush and be careful!
When selecting a toothbrush for a child, make sure the brush feels comfortable in his or her hand. If the size and angle feel awkward, the child will be less likely to use it long enough to clean all areas of the mouth. Children do not necessarily need a child-sized toothbrush. Some kids can handle an adult-size brush better than a short, narrow child-size brush. If you are unsure, ask your dentist.
What about the electric types and water-shooters? Some individuals like the feeling of vibrating bristles or a mini-squirt gun squirting away at the plaque. People with arthritis or other movement-inhibiting conditions can benefit from powered brushes which take some strain off hands and arm muscles.
Is your toothbrush doing the job? Schedule an exam at David A. Rice, DDS.
At David A. Rice, DDS, our comfortable dental hygienists instruct our patients and on proper brushing and flossing. If you haven’t experienced a dental deep cleaning at David Rice, DDS, you don’t know how clean your teeth and gums can feel.
CONTACT DAVID A. RICE, DDS:
847-741-2353
LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):
1972 LARKIN AVE #1
ELGIN, IL
60123