What’s Your Dental New Years Resolution?
How many times have you made a new years resolution for your teeth? Improving dental hygiene is one of the most common resolutions, and one of the shortest lived. Chances are you have made this same resolution more than once over the years, so how can you make it stick this time? Well, recent studies have shown that using the right toothbrush increases the likelihood of daily use, so here are some things to look for in your new year’s toothbrush.
Effectiveness
With all of the technology being introduced into home dental care, the first thing we need to address is the controversy over electric vs disposable toothbrushes.
- Both manual and electric toothbrushes are equally effective at removing plaque
- Both have models approved by the ADA
- Electric toothbrushes get more frequent use than disposable toothbrushes
There are some features that may make electric toothbrushes worth the price tag, we’ll review those later.
Manual and Electric Toothbrush Characteristics
Regardless of the brand or type of toothbrush you choose, these characteristics will make your brushing experience more effective and enjoyable.
- 1 Inch Long, ½ Inch Wide- This dimension is for the head of the toothbrush, not the bristles. At this length, there is plenty of surface area to maximize effectiveness in an adult mouth, but would be too long for kids. The width ensures that the head is still maneuverable in the hard to reach places in the back corners of your mouth without uncomfortable pressure.
- Soft Bristles-Some people prefer a medium or hard bristled toothbrush, because they last longer and feel more effective at scraping teeth clean, but these preferences stem from a misunderstanding of how toothbrushes are meant to be used.
- Toothbrush heads are only supposed to last for 3 months (90 days), if a soft head is going flat before that, you’re pushing too hard.
- The tips, not the bodies of the bristles are supposed to make up the scouring surface, too much pressure makes them ineffective.
- Rounded Bristles- Emphasizing once again that pressure isn’t the point, many new toothbrushes come with rounded bristle heads. These are used to prevent damage to the gums, and provide a more comfortable clean.
- Long Handle- The last thing you want to experience while reaching back to clean your molars is running out of handle space and getting sudsy saliva all over the grip of your toothbrush. The only thing that would make it worse, is knowing that it will happen every time you brush! Make sure that your brush (or replicable brush head) is long enough to keep your hand dry.
- Not Slippery When Wet- Make sure that you get a toothbrush that is easy to hold onto, rubber inserts in a wide or contoured handle can keep your hand from getting uncomfortably tense, or losing its grip on the toothbrush. This feature becomes more important the older a person gets, especially if you suffer from arthritis.
Electric Toothbrush Benefits
As we mentioned above, Electric and manual toothbrushes are equally effective at cleaning teeth, but people are more likely to use their electric toothbrush, if they have one. That may be because of the money they have invested into the device, but there are some attractive features that can add to their usefulness.
- Brushing Timer- Several nicer electric toothbrush models include a countdown, or even a shutdown feature. This timer counts down from between 2-3 minutes, letting you know when you have been brushing long enough.
- Pressure Sensor- Because grinding the bristles of your toothbrush into your teeth and gums is bad for you and for your toothbrush, some electric toothbrushes include a shutoff, or stutter feature. If the pressure on the brush head gets too strong, the motor will stop until the pressure is reduced. So, whether you are a brush presser, or a brush biter, this feature can help you correct your habit.
 We hope that you will be able to use these tips to find the right toothbrush and keep your New Years Resolution for your Teeth, all year long. Also, make sure you come see your dentist for your usual checkups this year.
Happy New Year!
Image Source:Â www.oralb.co.uk/en…/oral-b-pro-3000-electric-toothbrush/