TYPES OF BRUSHES
Dr. Ghamian and Dr. Khoury agree no one type of brush is better than another at removing dental plaque. However, it is important to select a toothbrush with a brush head small enough to reach all areas of the mouth easily.
Select a simple type of brush with a straight, flat handle and polished, well-rounded, soft bristles. Avoid brushes with natural bristles as they have hollow cores, are irregular and tend to break. As well, natural bristles are more likely to collect bacteria.
TYPES OF BRUSHES
Dr. Ghamian and Dr. Khoury agree no one type of brush is better than another at removing dental plaque. However, it is important to select a toothbrush with a brush head small enough to reach all areas of the mouth easily.
Select a simple type of brush with a straight, flat handle and polished, well-rounded, soft bristles. Avoid brushes with natural bristles as they have hollow cores, are irregular and tend to break. As well, natural bristles are more likely to collect bacteria.
BRUSHING YOUR CHILD'S TEETH
Even before your children have any teeth, it is important to wipe their gums with a clean soft wet cloth after every feeding. Brushing, after meals, snacks and sweetened medications, should begin soon after the first teeth come into the mouth, so your child will get used to it.
Use only a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste and be sure it is never swallowed. If you child routinely swallows it, do not use toothpaste. Once the sides of the baby teeth touch each other, flossing should take place at least once a day.
TIPS ON BRUSHING
1. How often you brush to remove plaque is less important than how well you brush. The important thing is to spend time carefully cleaning each tooth, at least twice daily, after breakfast and before bed. Think of brushing as a massage for your teeth and gums.
Ideally, a good brushing takes at least two to three minutes, or the length of time a typical song plays on the radio.
2. Be gentle, particularly when cleaning along the gumline. Don't jiggle the toothbrush too vigorously, and hold it at a 45-degree angle. Gently work the bristles back and forth using short strokes. Try to brush a few teeth at a time. And don't forget to brush your tongue, too!
3. Be sure to change your toothbrush every three months. This is especially important if you have been ill. Keep your toothbrush stored in a dry place to reduce bacteria. And never share your toothbrush.
4. Although electric toothbrushes have not been proven to clean teeth better than manual brushes, they may be useful to people who have problems with their hands or grip.
5. Remember to floss too, since no amount of brushing, however carefully, can get at all of those difficult-to-reach places where decay causing bacteria still linger. Only flossing will clean between teeth and under the gumline where your toothbrush cannot reach, and where most cavities and gum disease starts. If you're not flossing, you're not cleaning about 35 percent of your tooth.
HOW TO FLOSS
Carefully ease the floss between the teeth, right down to the gumline. Gently wipe plaque from both sides of adjacent teeth. The goal is to arc the floss in a "C" shape following the contours of each tooth.
Don't worry if flossing causes slight bleeding initially, however if the bleeding continues for more than ten days, contact your dentist.
We believe the best dentistry is the least amount of treatment necessary to achieve optimum oral and dental health.