A General Dentist Explains Why You Should Switch to a Soft Toothbrush
Are you going to buy a new toothbrush and want to know what a general dentist recommends? Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is very important when it comes to practicing good oral hygiene. However, a lot of people use the wrong type of toothbrush on their teeth and end up damaging their gums, teeth and enamel.
Why you should switch to a soft toothbrush
What is the difference between a hard-bristle toothbrush and a soft-bristle toothbrush?
A hard-bristle toothbrush has very dense bristles that allow you to scrub the surface of your teeth thoroughly. But, it also causes a lot of damage to your teeth because a lot of people brush their teeth vigorously and wear down their enamel in the process. The vigorous brushing also leads to the bristles on the brush scraping your gums and causing damage.
A soft-bristle toothbrush has less densely packed bristles, which allows the bristles to bend easily when you brush your teeth, making it gentler on your teeth and gums. The soft bristles also make it easier to clean your teeth because they can reach areas of your teeth hard bristles make difficult to clean.
Are soft-bristle toothbrushes suitable for everyone?
A general dentist will recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes to most adults and kids, with the exception of those with braces. Using a soft-bristle brush when you have braces can lead to frayed bristles getting stuck in the brackets in your mouth, which can damage your braces.
If you have braces, your general dentist will recommend that you use interdental brushes, which are smaller than traditional toothbrushes and clean your teeth better. Your dentist will also recommend using an electric toothbrush or a toothbrush with a smaller head to clean your teeth if you wear braces.
Toothbrush maintenance
If you decide to go with a soft bristle toothbrush and plan to use it regularly, you need to keep it in good condition to keep your mouth healthy. The general rule when it comes to toothbrushes is to replace them every three months or when the bristles start to show some wear. If you use an electric toothbrush, make sure you also change the head every three months.
Avoid using a toothbrush cover on your brush after using it because the moisture allows the bacteria on the brush to thrive. You should try to keep the toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible to prevent the fecal matter in the air after you use the toilet from clinging to your brush. You should also try to clean your toothbrush at least once a week using alcohol, mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide.
Conclusion
Soft-bristle brushes are very effective at cleaning your mouth properly, which is why your general dentist will recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush. If you want to find out more about what makes soft-bristle toothbrushes ideal, schedule an appointment with your dentist to get more information.
Request an appointment here: https://rsndental.com or call RSN Dental PC at (347) 344-5806 for an appointment in our Staten Island office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Recent Posts
Dental crowns, or tooth caps, are a common dental restoration for fixing broken, cracked, or decaying teeth. The goal of this dental restoration is to improve the size, shape, strength, and aesthetics of the tooth. Your teeth and the severity of the issue will determine whether the dentist suggests a dental crown for you. In…
A regular dental cleaning is vital for maintaining optimal oral health. While many people understand the importance of these appointments, the specifics of what happens during dental cleanings may remain a bit mysterious.In this review, we discuss the procedure of a typical dental cleaning, providing insight into the process and highlighting its significance in preventive…
An extraction is usually recommended as a last resort when a tooth is too damaged to be saved. The two main types of extractions performed by dentists are simple and surgical extractions. A simple extraction is performed when enough of the tooth is left above the gumline to pull it out with forceps. A surgical…
The popularity of Invisalign® has grown as the treatment has proven to produce successful and positive results. Additionally, the treatment process is unlike any other. The actual process is a lot simpler than traditional approaches, and there are benefits that come with Invisalign® too. One more important part of Invisalign® treatment is the need to remain disciplined with wearing…