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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anyone considering dental veneers should understand the details of how they work to help determine if they are candidates. These thin, shell-like pieces are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that enhances the overall appearance of the teeth. Here are the various ways that general dentists utilize veneers for their patients.Veneers are thin porcelain shells that a…
If you have recently replaced a mouthful of teeth, you are probably adjusting to new dentures. Although dentures greatly improve your smile, this does not mean you immediately become used to wearing them. The good news is there are methods you can use to help adjust, and in about a month, your dentures should start…
Dental cleaning is a huge part of routine check-ups. The procedure involves using a scaler to scrape off tartar and plaque deposits from teeth surfaces. Plaque is the sticky film that builds up on teeth, and it hardens into tartar when left on teeth surfaces for a few days. Both make you more vulnerable to…
An abscessed tooth most likely will not go away on its own. If the symptoms become severe or exist for an extended period of time, then you may need to visit an emergency dentist to promptly treat the dental abscess. There are different treatment options an emergency dentist may recommend to treat an abscessed tooth. An…
Anyone considering dental veneers should understand the details of how they work to help determine if they are candidates. These thin, shell-like pieces are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that enhances the overall appearance of the teeth. Here are the various ways that general dentists utilize veneers for their patients.Veneers are thin porcelain shells that a…
If you have recently replaced a mouthful of teeth, you are probably adjusting to new dentures. Although dentures greatly improve your smile, this does not mean you immediately become used to wearing them. The good news is there are methods you can use to help adjust, and in about a month, your dentures should start…