Hello again, Southern Indiana! Here at New Albany Implants, we pride ourselves on having the most up to date and state of the art dental technology modern dentistry has to offer. From 3D imaging, to the One Day Smile Solution, to IV sedation, we offer techniques and procedures other office do not have the training and expertise to offer.
These advances in dentistry have made our ability to protect, maintain, and repair your oral health problems more effective than ever. But in this blog, we want to focus on a low-tech instrument of oral health. Something that is commonplace, but of paramount importance to your oral health. We’re talking about your toothbrush!
As simple and straightforward as it is, your toothbrush is your greatest weapon the fight against tooth decay and gum disease. It is likely the most basic of all dental technologies, but it is the most effective when it come to preventive dental care.
With that in mind, how much do you really know about choosing the right toothbrush? Do you do all the research and consumer comparison you would if buying a new phone or TV? Probably not. And the truth is you don’t really have to. As important as your toothbrush is to your oral health, the criteria for choosing an effective are simple. In fact, it all comes down the size and bristle strength. Everything else is a matter of your personal preference.
The Size of Brush
The size of your toothbrush is important because it determines how well you can control the brush while cleaning your teeth. The handle should be long enough that you get a strong grip, but not so long that you accidentally choke yourself every time you brush your back teeth or gums.
But you don’t want a handle that is too short either because then you will have trouble even reaching those back teeth. As you can see, you simply need a brush that will allow to get to those hard to reach places with hurting yourself.
The same goes for the head of your toothbrush. If the brush head is too big, it will not fit in the back of your mouth without causing pain or discomfort. But if it is too small, you will have to use more energy to cover the surface area of your teeth, which could lead you to rush and leave plaque and food particles on your teeth.
Assuming you are an average sized adult, your toothbrush head should a half an inch wide and an inch long. Of course, you will need to adjust this size if you are larger or smaller than the average adult.
The Strength of the Bristle
Bristle strength is an easy one. You need a toothbrush with soft bristles. It may seem like a medium or hard bristle brush would be more effective at cleaning your teeth, but a soft bristle brush is adequate for cleaning your teeth. The danger of using a brush with a firmer bristle is that you run the risk of stripping your enamel and injuring your gums, which is counterproductive to the whole concept of protecting your oral health.
Do You Really Need an Electric Toothbrush?
In most cases, there is no added benefit to using an electric toothbrush over a manual one, unless you simply prefer one. The only exception to this is if your hand movement is limited by arthritis or injury. In situations like these, an electric toothbrush can be quite beneficial.
Stop by Our Southern Indiana Office
Don’t forget to keep regular appointments at New Albany Implants. We will help you choose the right toothbrush, while proving you with the quality preventive dental care you need to stay healthy and looking great.
Contact us today to schedule a visit.