Good day, Monroe! The office of Bayou Dental Group is here again with another helpful blog for the great people of Louisiana. In the past couple of blogs we have focused on dealing with oral health problems like tooth decay and missing teeth. But it doesn\u2019t take much thought to realize that preventing these problems from ever happening is the best way to treat them. No matter how great modern tooth replacement and dental technology is, the less invasive dental work you have to have done, the better. And keeping your natural teeth should be a priority, since it will be such a boon to your general health in your later years.<\/p>\n
As important as it is, preventive dental care is actually fairly simple. For the most part, it just requires that you make healthy food choices and stick to a dedicated routine of oral hygiene, the cornerstone of which is brushing your teeth.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ve been brushing your teeth as long as you\u2019ve had teeth. And since do so is one of the most important health care habits you have, it stands to reason that choosing a toothbrush would be just as important.<\/p>\n
But how much thought do you really put into selecting a toothbrush? Do you choose based a color? Do you look for the fanciest most state of the art device you can find? Or do you just use the toothbrush you got for free the last time you stayed at a hotel?<\/p>\n
Your toothbrush is the most important, and most frequently used, weapon in your arsenal for fighting against tooth decay and gum disease. So, let\u2019s take some time to look at the criteria for selecting an effective toothbrush.<\/p>\n
The Right Size<\/p>\n
There are only two main concerns when choosing a toothbrush, and one of them is the size of the brush, specifically the head. Most adults need a toothbrush with a head that is half an inch wide by an inch long. This will provide sufficient coverage to your teeth and gums, while being small enough to get in those hard to reach places, like your back teeth.<\/p>\n
Also, you need to make sure your toothbrush handle is long enough for a good grip, but still easy to control. If your toothbrush handle is too long, it will be much easier for you to injure your soft tissue and throat when brushing your tongue.<\/p>\n
The Right Bristle<\/p>\n
Soft, medium, and hard are the three types of bristles you will on the average toothbrush. If you are using anything other than soft, you need to come see us at Bayou Dental Group. Some people with heavy plaque and tartar build up may need a stronger bristle, but if you don\u2019t need one, a toothbrush with a bristle other than soft could be damaging your teeth and injuring your gums.<\/p>\n
Do You Need an Electric Toothbrush?<\/p>\n
After multiple studies have been completed to determine the benefits of an electric toothbrush, there seems to be no real difference in the effectiveness of an electric toothbrush compared to a manual one.<\/p>\n
One exception to this is for people with arthritis, or an injury, that makes using a toothbrush hard. In these predicaments, an electric toothbrush is ideal.<\/p>\n
Choose a Toothbrush You Like<\/p>\n
After determining what size toothbrush you need, and how hard the bristles need to be, the rest comes down to preference. There are many toothbrushes out there that are all essentially doing the same thing. You just need to find one you like and that gives you the results you need.<\/p>\n
If you are not sure what type of toothbrush you need to be using, come see us at Bayou Dental Group, and we will help you make the right decision.<\/p>\n