4 Things To Know About Your Toothbrush

Everyone knows about the importance of brushing your teeth, but good brushing goes beyond simply moving the brush around in your mouth for two minutes. Here is what you need to know about your toothbrush.

Replace Your Toothbrush Every 3 To 4 Months

You may be getting a new toothbrush every six months when you visit the dentist, but you should really be replacing your toothbrush more often than that. The American Dental Association recommends that you change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. This is to ensure that the bristles of the toothbrush are still in good condition and capable of removing plaque. Consider swapping out the brush halfway between your dental checkups so that you do not forget to do it. 

Use A Brush With Soft Bristles

While toothbrushes need to be replaced regularly to ensure that you're brushing with good bristles, the kind of bristles that the toothbrush has does make a difference. Always get a brush that has soft bristles rather than firm ones. Harder is not better when it comes to brushing your teeth, and since you just need gentle pressure to remove plaque. Hard bristles can actually damage your enamel, which is not good for the health of your teeth.

Use Gentle Pressure 

Brushing your teeth with hard pressure is not going to make up for all those days that you forgot to brush your teeth. While your teeth may be incredibly hard, the gums are very soft. Hard pressure can actually lead to receding gums, which is going to expose the root of your tooth that is normally protected by your gums. Gentle pressure is going to help get the plaque out of the gum pockets, but still be light enough where it does not cause damage. Not only can hard pressure cause tooth sensitivity, but it can also cause the enamel to erode off your teeth. 

Consider An Electric Toothbrush For Better Brushing

You may think that you're doing a good job with your manual toothbrush, but you'll do an even better job brushing with an electric toothbrush. The amount of strokes that an ultrasonic toothbrush can provide is more than you would ever be capable of when brushing with a manual toothbrush. In addition, you'll get reminders about replacing your brush head, and can get pressure warnings for when you are applying too much pressure when brushing. You'll really notice an improvement in your oral health by using one. 

For more information, reach out to a local dental office, like Valley Oak Dental Group.