Choosing a Toothbrush And Brushing Habits- An Insight

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Choosing a Toothbrush And Brushing Habits-
An Insight

• Cuire.Health

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Toothbrush

• A toothbrush is one of the single most important
  everyday cleaning tools that help to improve your
  oral hygiene and health.
• Therefore, choosing the right toothbrush and
  following the correct method of brushing is
  important for one to get the best hygiene
  outcomes.

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Toothbrush

• Following the invention of the toothbrush by the
  Chinese in 1498, using naturally available
  products such as animal hair and bamboo, we have
  come a long way in terms of advancement
  currently.
• The modern-day toothbrushes come in a variety of
  shapes, types, materials and bristle varieties
  and can also be battery powered.

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The best parameters to choose a toothbrush would
be
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Bristle Variety

• Most dental professionals advise the use of
  Soft or Medium bristle varieties. This choice
  can be made based on the amount of pressure used
  while brushing.
• Brushes with a hard bristle variety or the use of
  excessive force while brushing can lead to
  avoidable, commonly irreversible damage to the
  outermost layer of the tooth- the enamel.
• This enamel layer protects the tooth and prevents
  tooth sensitivity. Loss of enamel can not only
  make the tooth sensitive, but it can also lead to
  yellowish discoloration of the tooth and easy
  wearing off (attrition) of the tooth.

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Bristle Variety

• Hard bristle varieties are usually only indicated
  by a dentist in patients having any neurological
  or cognitive dysfunctions, making it difficult
  for a person to brush effectively.
• Likewise, extra soft bristle varieties might be
  prescribed only in the event such as widespread
  tooth enamel loss or hypoplasia. Therefore, using
  a soft or medium bristle variety is suggested
  unless otherwise, a dentist prescribes a hard or
  extra soft variety.

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Brush size and shape

• This usually depends on individual comfort, age,
  dexterity and ease of access.
• The brush should be effectively used to access
  and clean hard to reach areas such as behind the
  molars and a decision on size and shape should be
  made accordingly.

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Brush size and shape
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Manual or electric toothbrush

• For most healthy individuals with no challenging
  conditions, both the manual as well as the
  electric toothbrush will be equally effective to
  remove plaque from the teeth surface and maintain
  oral hygiene.
• However, in those with any underlying conditions
  which affect dexterity, hand function or
  movement, such as Parkinsons disease, arthritis,
  stroke, etc. Or in very young or elderly persons,
  an electric toothbrush might be a better option.

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Manual or electric toothbrush
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When to change your toothbrush?

• Research studies have suggested that a toothbrush
  needs to be changed every 3 months. Even if a
  toothbrush appears visibly in good condition
  after 3 months, it would be best to change it.
  Reasons that warrant a toothbrush to be changed
  prior to 3 months are
• Frayed/Damaged bristles- This usually means the
  person is applying too much pressure while
  brushing. The brush needs to be changed
  immediately, however, reducing the brushing
  pressure would be equally important.

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When to change your toothbrush?

• Post sickness/flu- Toothbrush bristles tend to
  gather micro-organisms and can lead to harboring
  of these microbes for a long period of time.
  Therefore, following sickness or an episode of
  flu, it would be best to change the toothbrush to
  avoid any repeated infection.
• If you find your toothbrush having traces of old
  tooth paste or dirt and you are unable to clean
  it, it would be the best time to get a new one.

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When to change your toothbrush?
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Toothbrush care

• Always keep the toothbrushes in a covered cabinet
  or holder. This is to prevent any contamination
  by water in the washbasin, shower or flush. It
  also prevents cross-contamination with other
  brushes kept near it
• Keep the toothbrush in an upright position, this
  will help excess water to drain away easily.
• Store the brush in a dry, clean, ventilated
  environment
• Avoid storing a toothbrush in a zipped pouch or
  closed space. This would facilitate the
  multiplication of microorganisms on it

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Toothbrush care

• Always wash the toothbrush before and after use.
  Using warm water would be more advisable.
• Storing a toothbrush in 70 alcohol solution
  occasionally is a good way to disinfect it
• Keep multiple brushes away from each other, to
  avoid any contact between the bristles.

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Toothbrush care
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Tooth-brushing techniques

• The most commonly advised brushing technique is
  the Bass or Modified bass technique. Key points
  include
• Place the brush bristles at a 45-degree angle,
  keeping the brush parallel to the tooth surface.
• Use gentle, firm pressure and move the brush in a
  vibratory, circular motion along the tooth
  surfaces.
• Continue to clean all the teeth in a span of 2
  minutes, covering all surfaces including the
  surface towards the tongue and the chewing
  surfaces.

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Tooth-brushing techniques

• For the lower front (anterior) teeth, use the
  brush vertically, with a pushing stroke from the
  gum line to the outer edge.
• Clean the tongue surface
• Brush twice daily, for 2 mins each using a
  pea-sized quantity of toothpaste.

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Tooth-brushing techniques
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Curie Health

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