Toothbrushing
101
By Dr. Eric Seidel
Going to the store to buy a toothbrush
can be a daunting experience. With so many choices and so much
advertising trying to influence your decision, some may find themselves wishing
for the days when your only real choice was what size and color to pick.
We also now have the choice of electric toothbrushes that adds to the
overwhelm. I will attempt to simplify this subject and give you the
same advice I give my own patients.
Toothbrush selection has three main components, size, bristle type and
manual versus electric. My suggestion on size is don't go too large. Some
of the hard to reach places such as the outside of the upper second molars are
nearly impossible if the toothbrush head is too large. It was thought for
years that firmer bristles were required to effectively remove
plaque. However, we now know gentle but thorough brushing with a
soft bristled brush is the best choice. This not only cleans the
teeth and gums but also doesn't harm these oral structures as some of the
firmer bristle types can. The debate over manual versus electric goes on,
but research suggests that the benefits of a quality electric brush far
outweigh its manual predecessor. I personally use a rechargeable
Sonicare brush by Philips but brands like Oral-B and Crest also have good
alternatives. I like the rechargeable variety with soft bristles
but these can get pricey. Getting one with changeable batteries will
reduce the cost and still do a fine job. The primary component that makes
an electric brush more effective is choosing one with sonic technology which
helps disrupt and remove the biofilm(a thin sticky layer of plaque and bacteria
that forms after eating) that can lead to gingivitis and more aggressive forms
of gum disease if not routinely removed.
It is recommended that toothbrushes are changed every three months as the
bristles wear out and become less effective. If you have your teeth
cleaned every six months make sure to not rely solely on your dentist for
brushes as you are doing yourself and your teeth and gums a disservice for the
last 3 months. It is also important to rinse the brush and let the
bristles air dry as brushes can harbor bacteria. For this reason, sharing
brushes is also not recommended and should be changed after you get over an
illness.
The most important element of brushing is the user. It is suggested that
thorough brushing for two minutes twice a day is essential. My
advice is to brush after every main meal or at least 3 times per day. The
two minutes is essential and don't forget to angle the brush so you clean the
teeth and gums.
To summarize, good technique and proper brushing time are the most
important elements of brushing. Use a small or medium brush with
soft bristles only and if you are able treat yourself to an electric
brush....you won't go back! Happy brushing.
Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is a
general dentist at Drs. Null, Seidel and Dental Associates and an Invisalign
preferred provider.
Plaque is a sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect where the teeth and gums meet. Plaque buildup is the primary factor in periodontal (gum) disease, including gingivitis.
