Ask Dr. Joy Lunan

 

Picking a toothbrush sounds easy, right? But if you've ever

walked down the toothbrush aisle of your local drug store,

you know how easy it is to get confused by all the choices.

Some toothbrushes promise fresh breath, deep cleaning and

even teeth whitening. Others are specially designed for

orthodontics or dentures. While these special features are

enticing, it's best to ask your dentist if they're right for you

or if you need them at all. There are, however, some

toothbrush basics that you need to know -- these tips

should make your search for a toothbrush a whole lot easier!

What to Look for in a Toothbrush

The right toothbrush can help turn bad oral hygiene habits

into good oral hygiene habits. Without daily brushing and

flossing, your teeth and gums may become especially

vulnerable to tooth decay, dental plaque, dental tartar, even

gum disease. Don't let that happen -- use these guidelines to

help you pick a toothbrush; the more you like your toothbrush,

the more likely you are to brush.

 

Remember: stiffer is not better. It might seem like a

toothbrush with stiff bristles is the right choice --

after all, many of your household brushes probably have

rigid bristles, making cleaning faster and easier. But the

opposite is true when it comes to picking a toothbrush.

And the reason why is simple: Softer bristles are easier

on your gums. When you brush, you want to clean your

teeth, not make your gums bleed. A toothbrush with stiff

bristles is more likely to cause bleeding gums. 

 

Go nylon, not natural. There's a whole slew of natural dental

products available that are environmentally friendly. You may

have even heard about something called a "Natural

Toothbrush" with bristles made from the root of an Araak tree.

Other types of natural toothbrushes have brown bristles that

are reportedly softer than nylon bristles. While you may be

curious to try a natural toothbrush, keep in mind that there

has been little research done in the U.S. on their effectiveness

(or harmfulness). Natural toothbrushes may also cost more

and wear out faster than standard toothbrushes. Until there's

more information about natural toothbrushes, it's probably

best to stick to an ADA-recommended toothbrush with

medium-soft, nylon bristles.

 

Get a heads up. When it comes to a toothbrush head, you

might think that bigger is better. That's not always the case.

If you have a small mouth, a toothbrush with a big head might

make it difficult to angle your toothbrush to brush

hard-to-reach areas. Go for something that complements

the size of your mouth.

 

Choose a handle with care. The handles of toothbrushes are

usually colorful, sometimes translucent or even glittery. But

don't be fooled into thinking that "bright and shiny" is all you

need. What you should really look for is a toothbrush handle

that feels comfortable in your hand and is easy to maneuver.

Also look for a non-slip surface, especially if you have arthritis.

 

Don't forget: After daily use, your toothbrush can lose its

effectiveness and even become a breeding ground for germs,

fungus and bacteria. Who wants that? To get the most out of

your toothbrush, replace it frequently -- at least every

1-3 months. And if you recently had a cold or infection,

you may have transferred germs to your toothbrush so be

sure to use a new toothbrush.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us 

at Dr. Joy Lunan’s dental office in Middlebury, CT.

203-598-7920      www.middleburydentist.com