Using the right tool for the job is important in many situations and dental hygiene is no exception. Furthermore, every case requires its own unique approach. While only your dentist, dental hygienist and their support staff can advise you on what would work best to meet your specific needs, here
are some general rules that can help guide you in the right direction.
Bristle stiffness
Many individuals are naturally inclined to choose a stiffer bristle, thinking that it will do a better job of removing plaque and make brushing faster and easier. The problem with stiff bristles however, is that they can be too hard on your gums and teeth which can lead to gum recession and tooth damage. Going to the other extreme by choosing a soft bristle, may not be ideal either in terms of getting your teeth their cleanest. Unless recommended otherwise by your dentist, opt for a medium brush for a good, balanced approach to tooth brushing.
Nylon or natural?
While “going green” seems to be the trend these days, natural-bristle brushes are not ideal for the average patient. They tend to be too soft to be effective and are prone to wearing out faster than their nylon counterparts which gets expensive in the long run as more frequent toothbrush replacement then becomes necessary.
Electric toothbrushes
Certain power brushes offer some very useful features including:
• Built-in timers to help ensure you’ve brushed for the recommended two to three minutes
• Sensors to remind you if you’re exerting too much pressure
• Back-and-forth rotation which removes plaque very efficiently
• Sonic vibrations and larger handles which are especially useful for the elderly, people with special needs and those who have problems with mobility.
The right fit
If you have a small mouth, make sure that the head of the brush you pick is not too big. You want to be able to manipulate the brush
around your entire mouth easily for a thorough cleaning.
Don’t forget to floss!
Simply put, dental floss gets in between teeth where your brush can’t and just because you can’t see the plaque, it doesn’t mean it’s not there! Flossing regularly AFTER brushing is key to an effective dental care regimen.
Quick brushing substitutes
While it is ideal to brush and floss after every meal, sometimes this is simply not possible. In a pinch, chew a piece of sugarless gum or rinse your mouth well with antibacterial mouthwash or even water, especially if you’ve just eaten sticky foods which can be particularly damaging to teeth.
Braces and good oral hygiene
Having braces on your teeth places that much more importance on maintaining good oral hygiene habits. Dental floss threaders and prethreaded floss (Superfloss) are extremely effective at cleaning between the teeth. A Water-Pik® is an excellent way to remove food particles from teeth after flossing and right after eating if flossing is not possible. Their portable, compact size makes them especially convenient. We can’t emphasize enough to our orthodontic patients how important it is to be vigilant about keeping their teeth clean, and encourage them to use the handy flossing and cleaning tools we provide to them upon applying their braces, after every meal.
We see our role at Brantford North Dental not only as clinicians, but as educators. We are happy to review cleaning recommendations and techniques with our patients to make dental care at home an effective and rewarding experience!
Steven Deskin is a Brantford Dentist in general practice.
