Brushing one’s teeth is an extremely important part of one’s daily oral hygiene. Coupled with flossing, it removes the plaque that causes cavities and gum disease. There have been a variety of methods for toothbrushing that have been recommended. The main question is usually “Do I brush side to side or up and down?” Either way, if done properly, can be fine. If one wishes to go up and down, it is best to start above (on the upper) or below (on the lower) the gum line and roll the toothbrush head across the surface of the teeth. I will tell patients who wish to use that technique to brush your teeth in the direction that the teeth grow. When going side to side, the bristles should be angled at a 45 degree angle to the surface of the teeth, and then, the handle should be vibrated side to side. With either method, vigorous scrubbing must be avoided. Dental plaque is not very difficult to remove and only requires a gentle hand on the brush. Too much pressure can cause the gums and tooth enamel to be eroded away causing permanent damage.

One of the most common questions that I get asked is “is it worth it to invest in an electric toothbrush?” The answer that I give is that it is a matter of personal preference. A number of different factors must be considered. Cost is probably top on the list. An electric toothbrush will cost significantly more than a manual one. And the brush portion of the electric model will need to be replaced jut as frequently as the manual variety, and usually at a higher cost. Is an electric toothbrush more effective at cleaning the tooth surfaces? Many studies have shown that both manual and electric toothbrushes perform their job equally well. The main thing is that if it is easier for someone to clean their teeth with an electric toothbrush and they can afford the extra expense, then that is what I would recommend that they use. For people with manual dexterity problems, such as arthritis sufferers, an electric toothbrush can be a great help in cleaning one’s teeth. When buying an electric toothbrush, always look for the American Dental Association seal of approval. The ADA does stringent, independent testing so you can be assured that the manufacturers claims have been verified.

In my previous blog, I discussed head size and bristle stiffness of toothbrushes. Toothbrushes can come in a variety of shapes. It can be helpful to have the type that has rounded bristles. Most bristles are made of nylon so they don’t soften when they gets wet like the natural bristles do. Mom always told us to go into the bathroom and scrub our teeth real hard and thorough. Brushing thoroughly is important. Brushing hard was fine for the old days when the natural bristles would soften in saliva, but since the nylon bristles don’t soften, we must be very judicious in the amount of pressure that we use. Only the tips of the bristles do the cleaning work, so a toothbrush whose bristles are all bent and frayed is ready for the trash can or the household cleaning bucket. Another important aspect of choosing a toothbrush is to look for the American Dental Association seal of approval. The ADA puts dental products through stringent, independent testing to make sure that a manufacturer’s claims are valid. This way, you can be sure that whatever it says on the packaging has been verified and is safe for you and your family to use.

Toothbrushing is a vital part of daily oral hygiene to help prevent cavities and gum disease. Choosing the toothbrush that is right for you is an important part of the process. Toothbrushes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Head size is important to make sure that all areas of the mouth are accessible. The larger the head of a toothbrush, the more efficient it will be in cleaning the teeth. However, trying to get the sides of the upper molars can be a challenge for some. When you open your mouth wide, the coronoid process of the jaw bone will drop down right next to the upper molars making it a very tight fit. By closing the mouth halfway and moving the jaw to the side will many times allow enough room to get a brush with a bigger head all of the way back into the mouth. The bristles should be no firmer than the “soft” variety. Plaque is actually not that difficult to remove, so a medium or hard brush is not necessary. Use of too stiff a brush can cause damage to the tooth enamel and the gums which can necessitate fillings and gum grafts.