Have you ever wondered if your toothbrush is helping you or hurting you?
It is a common misconception that hard and medium bristled tooth brushes clean your teeth better. The truth is, hard and medium toothbrushes routinely cause damage to your teeth and gums. When you use a medium or hard bristled toothbrush you can brush away your enamel and your gum tissue. Loss of enamel and gum tissue can lead to sensitivity, yellowing teeth, and loss of the structures that hold your teeth in place (periodontal disease).
Here at First Impressions Family Dentistry we recommend you use a soft of extra soft toothbrush to clean your teeth. When used in combination with your abrasive toothpaste you can remove plaque gently while protecting your teeth and gums.
Here are a few tips you can use to get an effective clean while brushing:
- Angle your toothbrush towards the gum line at a 45 degree angle
- Press slightly to see the gum tissue blanch (turn slightly white)
- Use gentle, circular motions focusing on cleaning one tooth at a time
- DO NOT use a back and forth or pulling motion
- Clean all surfaces of the tooth that the toothbrush can reach (cheek side, tongue side, and biting side)
- Brush a minimum of 2 minutes 2 times a day
Always remember that brushing is not enough! Flossing is necessary to clean the surfaces of your teeth that your toothbrush can not reach. These at home hygiene tools can only remove plaque and light stain. Once plaque mineralizes into calculus (tartar) a visit to your dental hygienist and dentist is necessary to fully clean your teeth.
Ask your dentist or hygienist about soft bristled toothbrushes VERSUS hard bristled toothbrushes next time you’re at their office- They are always there to help you!
