How to choose and use a Toothbrush
Tooth decay prevention begins at your own bathroom, where you brush and floss thoroughly each day. Brushing not only removes plaque, but also massages the gums. The usual recommendation is to brush after every meal, and whenever possible, after every snack. Most studies reveal that early morning brushing is universally indicated because the body’s natural plaque fighters are less active during sleep, so plaque accumulates more quickly. For the same reason, it is advisable brush and floss before retiring to reduce the number of bacteria in and around the teeth during this time os lessened natural defense.
There are a variety of toothbrushes available in the market, which differs by shape, size, color, type of bristles, type of handle, and price. Brushes are divided into 2 categories – manual and powered. The size and choice of a brush is determined by patient’s mouth size, age of the patient and manual dexterity. Sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes are type of manual brushes, which emit waves to vibrate bristles at high frequencies. This makes brushing more effective. It is yet to be proven that power brushes clean better than manual brushes when properly used. A powered toothbrush serves the best purpose when you have a physical disability or dexterity problem.
A toothbrush should be replaced every 3-4 months. Broken or bent bristles are signs that a brush should be replaced. A worn-out brush is less effective in cleaning and also can cause gum injury.
Proper brushing usually takes 3-4 minutes, depending on the clinical conditions in the mouth and the patient’s dexterity. There are several accepted methods for brushing teeth.
One of the very effective method is to brush the outer surface of the teeth , placing the brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Then gently move the brush back and forth in short strokes no longer than half a tooth. Still using the short scrubbing motion, concentrate on the inner surface of the teeth. Complete your brushing by using short back and forth strokes on the chewing surface of the teeth. Make sure you do not leave any area un-brushed.
Brushing your tongue cleans off oral microorganisms that contribute to bad breath is highly recommended. Also, a systematic sequence of brushing is always recommended. Brushing different areas of the mouth in the same order every time has been shown to increase brushing effectiveness. Using multiple and overlapping strokes could optimize cleaning.
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