Author: Jennifer Wells

It is a common misconception that hard and medium bristled tooth brushes clean your teeth better. But, the truth is toothpaste is already abrasive; using it in addition to a hard bristled toothbrush can actually damage the gum tissue and the enamel on your teeth.  We want to remove plaque as gently as possible to protect your teeth and gums.  The amount of time spent in each area of the mouth is more important than the pressure used to scrub your teeth.

Hard bristles do remove stain and plaque but can wear down your enamel.  Enamel is important to save because it protects your teeth from harmful bacteria that your teeth face everyday and protects the inner softer layers of the tooth from bacteria. Without enamel you could start experiencing sensitivity, yellowing of the teeth, and uneven edges or chips on your teeth.

Using a soft bristled toothbrush allows you to get that clean that your teeth need without harming the enamel so you can keep your teeth protected.

Enamel is very important to your oral health but that’s not the only thing that takes part in making sure your teeth are healthy and safe. Gum tissue, or gingiva, is the soft tissue that surrounds the whole oral cavity and tightly attaches to the bone. It provides a barrier between the deeper tissue and the food and bacteria that enter and pass though our mouths.

Hard bristles also can damage your gum tissue and eventually cause them to recede. When gum tissue recedes, it exposes the root surface of the tooth and could cause extreme sensitivity.

Here are a few tips you can use to get an effective clean while brushing:

• Use an electric toothbrush over a manual toothbrush if possible
• If you are using a manual toothbrush make sure the bristles are either labeled as soft or extra soft.
• Angle your toothbrush towards the gum line; at a 45 degree angle
• Use gentle, circular motions NOT a back and forth motion to rid your teeth of plaque, bacteria, and food particles. Circular motions help the toothbrush bristles reach all the surfaces of teeth compared to a back and forth motion.
• And last but DEFINITELY not least, make sure you keep your 6 month cleaning appointments with your dental hygienist!

You can ask your dentist or hygienist about soft bristled toothbrushes VERSUS hard bristled toothbrushes next time you’re at their office- They are always there to help you!

http://www.batchelor-dentistry.com/blog/why-switch-soft-toothbrush

Have you ever wondered if your toothbrush is helping you or hurting you?

It is a common misconception that hard and medium bristled tooth brushes clean your teeth better.  The truth is, hard and medium toothbrushes routinely cause damage to your teeth and gums.  When you use a medium or hard bristled toothbrush you can brush away your enamel and your gum tissue.  Loss of enamel and gum tissue can lead to sensitivity, yellowing teeth, and loss of the structures that hold your teeth in place (periodontal disease).

Here at First Impressions Family Dentistry we recommend you use a soft of extra soft toothbrush to clean your teeth.  When used in combination with your abrasive toothpaste you can remove plaque gently while protecting your teeth and gums.

Here are a few tips you can use to get an effective clean while brushing:

• Angle your toothbrush towards the gum line at a 45 degree angle
• Press slightly to see the gum tissue blanch (turn slightly white)
• Use gentle, circular motions focusing on cleaning one tooth at a time
• DO NOT use a back and forth or pulling motion
• Clean all surfaces of the tooth that the toothbrush can reach (cheek side, tongue side, and biting side)
• Brush a minimum of 2 minutes 2 times a day

Always remember that brushing is not enough! Flossing is necessary to clean the surfaces of your teeth that your toothbrush can not reach.  These at home hygiene tools can only remove plaque and light stain.  Once plaque mineralizes into calculus (tartar) a visit to your dental hygienist and dentist is necessary to fully clean your teeth.

Ask your dentist or hygienist about soft bristled toothbrushes VERSUS hard bristled toothbrushes next time you’re at their office- They are always there to help you!

What is Dental plaque?

Plaque (also known as dental biofilm) is a thick and intricate accumulation of microorganisms that form slimy layers which attach to your teeth, fillings and removable restorations.  Have you ever ran your tongue across your teeth after a long day and noticed they feel fuzzy?  This fuzziness is the plaque that has developed on your teeth.

Dental Biofilm contains more than 500 different kind of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, protozoa, and viruses. When it is left undisturbed, it plays a major role in the development and progression of cavities, periodontal disease, and calculus (tartar) formation. This is why daily removal of dental plaque with proper brushing and flossing is so important; it is absolutely necessary to prevent cavities and oral diseases!