Baton Rouge Teeth Cleaning- How to choose a toothbrush?

Baton Rouge Teeth Cleaning- How to choose a toothbrush?

Baton Rouge Teeth Cleaning- How to choose a toothbrush?

Toothbrushes

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Take a stroll down any toothbrush aisle in the local grocery store and you will undoubtedly come across every type of toothbrush imaginable. So, how do you go about picking the right toothbrush? We have a few tidbits of information on the matter!

  • Among dental professionals, the soft bristle toothbrushes are widely regarded as the best for removal of plaque and lingering food fragments. Hard bristles can cause damage to the delicate gums and push them back exposing the tooth root (ouch!).
  • Toothbrushes with small heads are generally better suited for reaching the tiny spaces in the mouth and doing a better job of cleaning the difficult to clean back teeth.
  • Comfort is key! Find a toothbrush that works for your specific oral and usage needs. Gripping handles, flexible necks, varied head shapes, tongue cleaners, and bristle style are just a few of the features determined by personal preference.
  • Powered toothbrushes are excellent alternatives to manual brushes for people with limited manual dexterity due to physical conditions (ie arthritis), braces, or extremely uneven teeth.
  • Electric toothbrushes don’t clean any better than manual brushes, but if their use encourages more frequent, longer teeth brushing, then by all means, use an electric toothbrush.
  • Replace your toothbrush as soon as the bristles start to look worn, frayed, or broken.
  • A general rule of thumb is to replace a toothbrush every 3 months.
  • Replace a toothbrush after an illness to avoid re-infection with the same illness.

If you are shopping for a toothbrush for an infant or toddler or young child, follow these rules when evaluating the options:

  • Buy soft bristles
  • Larger, gripping handles are better to encourage self-use (always follow up with adult cleaning).
  • Smaller head size is needed to navigate around the tiny mouths of little ones.
  • Fun, light-up or noise-making brushes can help children brush the full time that they should.
  • Brushes that stand up by suction cups on the bottom or weights will keep from picking up germs from the counter and reduce messes from laying the brushes down.
  • Remember that a proper teeth brushing session should last between 2-3 minutes and reach all areas inside the mouth. Everyone should brush at least 2 times a day and floss once a day.

Dr Russo wants all patients to practice proper teeth cleaning. If you think that you might be using the wrong brush or would like an evaluation of your teeth brushing, schedule an appointment with Dr Aimee Russo. She’s pretty great![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]