Brushing your teeth is something that should seem like second nature to most people. It may seem easy, but there’s actually a few steps to keep in mind as a way to improve your smile while breaking bad brushing habits.
Choosing the Right Brush
The American Dental Association says ‘one size fits all does not apply to toothbrushes, even if it may seem like that.’ When choosing the right toothbrush, you should be looking at the size and shape of the brush head, the bristles and whether they are rounded or straight, or if it’s manual or electric.
All of this should matter and the best way to know what’s best for you is going in for a regular routine check-up at your dentist office. But also, it’s a decision you can make at any store that sells toothbrushes.
Here’s the Doctor’s recommendation: Even the material made from the bristles can make a difference, so our team at Smiles by Dr. Kulesa follows ADA brushing recommendations and says soft nylon is the way to go. The tips of the bristles come in two different shapes: rounded and straight.
What’s the difference? Straight bristles unfortunately can damage your teeth with their sharp, jagged tips. It’s likely they’ll damage or cut up your gums or tongue.
In this specific case, we recommend rounded bristles because they are best for your oral health. They protect sensitive gums from infections and inflammation.
Now you’ve got your toothbrush – what about HOW you brush your teeth?
Avoid Bad Brushing Habits And Strengthen Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth after meals can help, but only after at least 30 minutes or an hour has passed.
We recommend that you don’t brush it immediately after eating because this can have a negative effect on your tooth enamel. As the hardest substance in your body, tooth enamel protects your teeth and can be worn away by the acidity in food. We suggest letting your saliva take care of your teeth after you eat. Other ways to increase your saliva is to rinse your mouth with water or chew sugarless gum, too. Water is great because it’s not acidic, so it helps restore your mouth to a healthy pH balance.
All in all, taking the time to properly brush your mouth is very important. Make sure you’re getting all the sides, using small circular motions with short back and forth strokes is the best technique according to Dr. Kulesa.
As for the tongue, brush carefully on the padding of your tastebuds. Also, gently stroke your gum lines to prevent bacteria and diseases like gingivitis.
An additional tip for manual toothbrushes is they should be discarded after about 3 months of use. Those nylon bristles are often worn down, bent, or quickly broken over a period of extended use. This can also be a breeding ground for bacteria – which isn’t always the case with…an electric toothbrush!
A few advantages for an electric toothbrush include great plaque removal in comparison to your regular toothbrushes. The bristles vibrate or rotate to help you get rid of plaque buildup in your teeth and gums. They make it easier to reach some of those difficult places, like your back molars. With built in timers and pressure sensors, you’ll get a much deeper clean each time thanks to different brushing modes.
It’s important to go easy on your teeth to prevent any additional pain or damage to a sensitive part of the mouth. Even better, there’s plenty of options to choose from for those with sensitive teeth and gums.
The only disadvantage for electric toothbrushes, according to our team, is the cost. These electric toothbrushes are more expensive. So take the time to care for them and prevent damage when replacing and changing toothbrush heads.
Read more about how to keep your oral health in top shape with our blog here.
Additional Dental Treatments in Reno NV
Lastly, consider getting a cleaning from an affordable dentist in Reno NV. The office of Dr. Jon A. Kulesa provides comfortable family dentistry services in addition to cosmetic dentistry options.
The benefits of consistently brushing your teeth and scheduling regular teeth cleanings is very important. Routines and checkups help remove stains and discoloration that dulls your teeth’s overall appearance. Doing this over time will get you a whiter and brighter smile.
While visiting your Reno dentist may seem intimidating, but just remember it can help prevent you from needing more serious dental or even medical work in the future.
Low cost dental in Reno NV is available with our various financing options to ensure all treatments are affordable and accessible. Rejuvenate your smile today with Dr. K!