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FAQ About Home Dental Care
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| << Previous FAQ Page 14 | Ask the Cosmetic Dentists' Index | Next FAQ Page 16 >> |
Q: How do I select the right toothbrush for me?
A: The brand of the toothbrush is not nearly as critical as the type of bristle, the size and shape of the head and how frequently you replace your brush. We recommend a soft bristled brush with a small head. The soft bristles are most important for the health of your gums. A small head allows you to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure your gums. Daily frequency of brushing and replacement with a new brush are much more important issues than the brand you choose. We recommend replacing your brush at least once a month. We recommend brushing twice a day at a bare minimum.
Q: What is the proper way to brush my teeth?
A: Thorough brushing twice a day, and cleaning between the teeth daily with floss or other interdental cleaners, usually helps remove normal levels of plaque. Keep these tips in mind when brushing your teeth. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and use a gentle tooth-wide, back-and-forth motion. Remember to clean the inside teeth surfaces where plaque deposits are heavy, and clean the back teeth and tongue.
Q: Can I damage my teeth if I brush improperly?
A: Yes. Even though teeth are protected by a hard layer of enamel, they can become worn out from improper tooth brushing. Toothbrush abrasion can occur on the crown of the teeth as well as in the softer cementum that covers the tooth roots, which can be exposed by receding gums. These exposed surfaces can become more prone to decay. When you brush, be sure to use gentle, short, tooth-wide strokes.
Q: How do I clean between teeth?
A: Floss and other interdental cleaners remove plaque from between the teeth and under the gumline, areas where the toothbrush can't reach. If you haven't been in the habit, it's never too late to start. When flossing, keep in mind these tips. Gently ease the floss between the teeth and gum line, never snap it. Form a "c" against the sides of both teeth and gently rub the floss up and down the tooth, moving it from under the gum line to the top of the tooth. Establish a regular pattern of flossing and remember to floss the backside of the last teeth. If you use interdental cleaners, ask your dentist how to use them properly, to avoid injuring your gums.
Q: Are the newer toothbrushes a replacement for flossing?
A: The newer toothbrushes such as Sonicare, Rotadent, Braun are all probably more effective in removing plaque then a manual toothbrush. They are still not a substitute for flossing which eliminates the plaque from the surfaces between the teeth.
Q: Why is brushing with toothpaste important?
A: Brushing with toothpaste (also called a "dentifrice") is important for several reasons. First, a toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes caries, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen. Third, special ingredients in the dentifrice help to clean and polish the teeth and remove stains over time. Fourth, toothpastes help freshen breath and leave your mouth with a clean feeling.
Q: What type of toothpaste should I use?
A: As long as your toothpaste contains fluoride, the brand you buy really does not matter, whether or not it is in paste, gel, or even powder form, or containing a certain flavor. All fluoride dentifrices work effectively to fight plaque and cavities and clean and polish tooth enamel. Your dentifrice brand should also bear the ADA (American Dental Association) seal of approval on the container, which means that adequate evidence of safety and efficacy have been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials. If your teeth are hypersensitive to hot or cold, consider trying a dentifrice designed for sensitive teeth dentifrices containing baking soda and/or hydrogen peroxide (which are both good cleansing agents) give the teeth and mouth a clean, fresh, pleasant feeling that can offer an incentive to brush more, but fluoride is the true active ingredient at work protecting your teeth. Some prefer a tartar control toothpaste containing pyrophosphates to prevent the buildup of soft calculus deposits on their teeth. New pastes offer advanced whitening formulas aimed at safely removing stains to make teeth brighter and shinier, although they can't nearly match the effectiveness of a professional whitening formula administered or prescribed by a dentist.
Q: How much toothpaste should I use?
A: Contrary to what toothpaste commercials show, the amount of paste or gel needed on your brush for effective cleaning does not have to be a heaping amount. Simply squeeze on a pea-sized dab of paste on the top half of your brush. If you brush correctly holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth, the paste should foam enough to cover all of your teeth. Children under 6, however, should only be given a very small, baby pea-sized dab of dentifrice on their brush.
Q: Is brushing with toothpaste enough to fight cavities and tooth disease?
A: No. Although brushing thoroughly after each meal helps, flossing your teeth every day to remove plaque and food particles between teeth and at the gum line is just as important. Studies show that plaque will re-grow on teeth that are completely clean within 3 to 4 hours of brushing. You also need to maintain regular dental hygienic cleanings at your dental office - at least every 6 months (or sooner if recommended).
| << Previous FAQ Page 14 | Ask the Cosmetic Dentists' Index | Next FAQ Page 16 >> |
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