There are 6.8 BILLION people on the planet.
4 BILLION of them use a mobile phone.
Only 3.5 BILLION of them use a toothbrush.
It does not matter if you are a general dentist or a dental specialist; the first question that a patient will ask during a consultation is: Doctor, what kind of toothbrush should I use?
In the market you will find assorted toothbrushes, an electric toothbrush is universally recommended. The use of a certain type of toothbrush –hard, medium or soft bristled- may vary depending your dental need. There are patients with bleeding or inflamed gums. Other features include moderate plaque buildup, confined spaces, yellowing teeth, and even feel like you cannot reach to clean the teeth that are in the back. Then you should look at some features on a toothbrush to help your brushing be more effective.
Stay away from stiff and hard bristles. Your gums won’t like that at all. It may seem like these types of brushes will remove stains or debris the best. Toothbrush abrasion can and often causes receding gums, which exposes the root surface of your teeth. It could turn into an aesthetic concern and also it will increase the chance of root cavities and sensitivity.
Bleeding, Inflamed, and Irritated Gums
If you were diagnosed with gingivitis, you might be at risk of developing a periodontal disease. There is a high percentage of Americans that suffers from it in different degrees. Gingivitis often presents itself as early as the pre-teen and teenage years. Soft bristles are gentle for sensitive gums.
Bone Loss and Periodontal Disease
For patients with periodontal disease or bone loss in between and around your teeth (mild or severe) is a good suggestion to use a interproximal cleaning toothbrush. Many times the sulcus, or the pocketing of the area between your gums and teeth, are very deep where normal bristles can’t reach. It is the most effective at reaching below by the interdental or proxy tooth brush.
Orthodontic Care and Crowding
For patients with braces, the most effective toothbrush is the extra soft Gentle clean with Cross action. Braces are very difficult to maintain clean, due to the hard work it gives you to get around the brackets, under the wires and especially between tight spaces. The cross patterns of the bristles make it very effective against plaque buildup around any small space.
Dentures, Retainers, and Mouthguards
The perfect toothbrush for a patient that has any type of removable appliance is the denture brush. It is strictly necessary for you to still brush them daily to keep them free of germs and bacteria. The denture toothbrush has two sides; a flat bristled head for smooth surfaces and a single-tufted head for hard-to-reach areas. The flat bristles are extremely strong and resilient, and this side is used to remove plaque and debris from inner and outer surfaces of the denture or retainer. The single-tufted head consists of tapered bristles, which is useful to clean the hard-to-reach areas and corners of the appliance.
Dental Care for Babies, Young Toddlers & Older Children
When your kid is old enough to hold a toddler toothbrush in their hands make it fun! Let them play with it. While they think they are brushing their teeth with it you as a parent will be using another one to brush the opposite side at the same time. This is a very easy way for the little ones to let you do it.
You can also look for cute graphic toothbrushes. Not only is it super cute, but the baby-soft bristles gently clean and massage baby teeth and tender gums. There are so many different options for children 5+; look for the coolest, nice and soft toothbrush.
Brushing with Dental Implants, Fixed permanent teeth, or All-On-Four
An interdental brush is a small brush specially designed for cleaning between your teeth and implants, where a regular toothbrush doesn’t reach. Using an interdental brush every day as a complement to tooth brushing is an easy and efficient method to keep your gums and teeth fresh and healthy. Cleaning with an interdental brush prevents gum inflammation, cavities and bad breath.
Obviously, we recommend each patient to brush at least twice a day and floss once. Remember just brushing is nothing, you have to complete the whole oral care ritual. It is all about giving you a bright smile! For more information contact Dr. Mauricio Hervas at Implantation Dental Center 954.476.0770 or visit our website www.implantationdentalcenter.com
