There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding choosing a toothbrush that will adequately keep your teeth and mouth clean. Given how important it is to maintain the health of your teeth and gums this is a topic that requires a lot more education on the part of the person brushing their teeth. This article will go through the key criteria you should consider when selecting a toothbrush to clean your teeth and the proper way to store it and keep it clean in order to prevent bacteria build-up.
Choosing a toothbrush
A toothbrushes bristles are integral to maintaining optimal tooth and gum health. A lot of people brush very hard when cleaning their teeth, which can result in stripping enamel from your teeth and allowing plaque to take advantage of the gaps that develop afterwards. Brushing too hard can also tear into the soft tissue of your gums leaving them open to infection and further damage. It is best to select a toothbrush that has soft to medium bristles. This prevents any damage being caused from unintentional hard brushing. It is best to select a toothbrush that has rounded-tip bristles to lessen scratching to your teeth.
The choice between a manual or electric toothbrush is not of a great importance; the most important thing in this regard is that your brushing technique is effective. If you have a poor technique the poor results will be the same regardless of whether the toothbrush is electric or not. It is advisable that you do not spend less than two minutes brushing your teeth. It is also very important that your toothbrush is endorsed by the Australian Dental Association. This ensures that it is better for your teeth than other products on the market.
Caring for your toothbrush
Once you have selected your toothbrush actually brushing is only half the job; storing and properly maintaining your brush will go a long way towards stopping accidental bacteria build-up on the brush.
When you have finished using your toothbrush give it a thorough rinse to remove any traces of plaque or food that have been collected by the bristles and then manually shake away all the loose water over the sink. It is important that you remove as much of this excess water as possible otherwise the brush may develop mould or bacteria, leading to oral infections.
Toothbrushes should be stored in an upright position with the bristle head facing up. Placing the brush in a cup or other similar object is good but for the best result the have toothbrush hang from a special holder or clip attached to the bathroom mirror or tiles.
By following the advice listed in this article you will go a long way towards preventing oral infections and tooth decay, thereby increasing your body’s overall health as a by-product. The importance of regularly maintaining the health of your teeth and gums cannot be understated. Further information on oral health can be found here.
