The following BRUSHING TECHNIQUE is commonly
recommended by dentists. You should see your dentist to ensure that you
are using a technique that meets your needs.
Use a soft bristled brush (synthetic bristles preferably because natural
bristles tend to harbour the oral bacteria as the bristles are more
porous). Be sure it is the right size (generally smaller is better than
larger). We feels a brush with a long handle and a short head is most
ideal for most people, we also feels that method of Brushing and the
type of Brush one uses is more important than the Tooth Paste,
unfortunately most people give more importance to the Tooth Paste. One
should not forget that in India we have had the tradition of using Neem
or Babool stick for cleaning Teeth and to chew it and make it more or
less brush like. Though the best method to teach brushing technique is
by giving a practical demonstration in the mouth or through audiovisual
but an effort is being made to teach brushing technique.
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- Place the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the teeth. Slide the tips of the brush under the gums.
- Jiggle the bristles very gently so that any plaque growing under the gum will be removed.
Be sure to brush the outside, the tongue side and the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
- For the front teeth, brush the inside surfaces of the upper and
lower jaws by tilting the brush vertically and making several up and
down strokes with the front part of the brush over the teeth and gum
tissues.
- Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath. Debris and bacteria can collect on your tongue and cause bad breath.
- Your toothbrush will only clean one or two teeth at a time. Change its position to properly clean each tooth.
- To prevent plaque damage, be sure to brush at least once every day, preferably at bedtime.
- Adding a brush time after breakfast increases your chances of thorough daily plaque removal.
- Don’t rush your brush. A thorough brushing should take at least 3 minutes.
- Brushing the teeth too vigorously or using a hard bristled
toothbrush causes the gums to recede and exposes root surfaces. It also
wears down the tooth structure. Both of these conditions can lead to
tooth sensitivity.
- A very small amount of fluoridated toothpaste is all you need, should you choose to use a toothpaste.
- Replace your brush when the bristles begin to spread. A worn out toothbrush will not properly clean your teeth.
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Tooth brush is an important oral hygiene instrument. Every one should know more about tooth brush.
In India, there is no regulatory or statutory control on manufacturing
of tooth brush thus one gets varieties of brushes irrespective of their
deiecis and virtues. Each one claiming the advantages of shapes, sizes,
hard, soft, medium bristles, bends, thumb hold, finger hold, finger
bend. This lack of proper knowledge about tooth brushes and technique of
using them is the major cause of tooth damage.
SPECIALISTS Normally suggest that a toothbrush should be:
- Short head, about 25.4 mm long
- Shape, slender round head.
- Height and soft bristles 15.875 mm
- Diameter of soft bristles 0.203 mm
- No. of rows of bristles 4 for adults, 3 for small mouth and 3 for children.
- Soft uniformly trimmed bristles. Such brushes do not damage
adjacent tissues nor cause teeth abrasion and need less effort to clean.
A soft brush with right technique will give best and effort less
cleaning.
 Abrasion Due To Faulty Brushing
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BRUSHING - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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- Is it important to brush before going to bed ?
- Yes ! If you have to miss a brushing, the bedtime one is
probably the worst one to miss. If you don't get rid of the bacteria
and sugar that cause cavities, they have all night to do harm. While you
are awake, saliva helps keep the mouth clean. When you are asleep,
there is less saliva produced to clean the mouth. For this reason it is
important to brush before bedtime.
- How to brush your child's teeth ?
- Every day plaque forms on the inner, outer, and chewing surface
of teeth and the gums. Tooth brushing is one of the most effective
waysto remove the plaque.
The best kind of toothbrush to use is one with soft, round-tipped bristles.
A child will need a smaller brush than an adult. Young children do not
have the manual dexterity to brush properly. Your child will need your
supervision and help brushing until he or she is 8-10 years old to
ensure a thorough brushing has been done.
When the bristles become bent or frayed, a new brush is needed.
Tooth brushing will remove dental plaque and other debris from your
teeth.Plaque plays a primary role in oral disease such as tooth decay
and gum disease. The best way to remove plaque from the tooth surface on
a daily home care basis is through toothbrushing and some form of
"between the teeth" cleaning.
- Can your tooth brush become source of Infection ?
- Germs left on your toothbrush can cause recurring colds and
sore throats. To avoid catching the same cold over and over again,change
toothbrushes at the first sign of a cold and change again when you
regain your health. Germs thrive in dense toothbrushes,especially those
with soft bristles, and not surprisingly, they also linger on toothbrush
handles.Viruses can survive for several days on a handle that's opaque
or tinted, whereas a clear handle kills them faster with its ability to
let light pass through. It is also very important to clean the brush
regularly with an ANTISEPTIC SOLUTION, besides cleaning it after every
use under a water jet. Brushes of other family members should be kept
seperatley.
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DIFFERENT KINDS OF TOOTHPASTES
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Advertisements seem to suggest that we need a tartar
control toothpaste for removing tartar, a whitening toothpaste to
brighten teeth, and even a gum care toothpaste to prevent gum disease.
What is the most effective toothpaste? This a common question asked by
not only patients but many people you meet. Many advertisements seen
confuses an individual in this regard. One is advised not to go after
the advertisements but if in doubt consult your dentist if one is not
able to decide on his own about choosing a Toothpaste.
- Toothpastes vs. Gels
- Only their physical appearance and a taste is the difference
between pastes and gels. While gels may seem less abrasive than
pastes,this is not the case. Actually, gels can be more abrasive because
of the silica used to make them. However, both are safe, effective
cleaners; use whichever you like!
- Tartar Control Toothpastes
- Most studies suggest that tartar control toothpastes do not
remove tartar. They may prevent the accumulation of additional tartar,
however. They do not reduce the tartar that forms below the gum line,
which is the area where tartar can cause gum disease.
- Gum Care Toothpastes
- Gum Care toothpastes also have questionable efficacy. This type
of paste contains stannous fluoride as compared to sodium fluoride
found in other types of paste. While some studies show stannous fluoride
may be helpful in reducing the incidence of gingivitis (a reversible
form of gum disease), it has also been suggested stannous fluoride is
not as affective in prevention of cavities vis a vis sodium fluoride.
Any toothpaste containing fluoride is normally recommended.
- Baking Soda Toothpastes
- Although these have'nt become very popular in India,they are
available.There are no conclusive studies that prove baking soda
toothpastes significantly reduce cavities compared to other toothpastes.
Some people enjoy the taste and feel of baking soda or mint
toothpastes. The attractive taste of baking soda and mint toothpastes
may encourage people to brush longer. Many baking soda toothpastes may
also contain peroxides which can irritate and damage gum tissue.
- Abrasive Smoker's Toothpastes and Toothpowders
- These toothpastes are not recommended as they can cause
recession of the gums and abrasion (slow removal) of tooth structure.
The best way to rid your teeth of smoking stains is to stop smoking and,
then, have a professional cleaning by a dentist.
- Desensitizing Toothpastes
- These pastes do actually work for a majority of the people
using them. Generally, they are needed when a patient has had gum
recession, thereby exposing the root of the tooth. Once this exposure
occurs, a tooth can be sensitive to cold, hot, touch, sweet, or sour.
There many brands available in the market and they may have different
ingredients; therefore, if one brand does not work, try a different
brand. Note: you should have any sensitivity checked by your dentist
first to be sure it is not a more serious problem.But be careful these
pastes are to be used only as professionally advised and not as regular
tooth pastes.
- Whitening Toothpastes
- One must be careful when using these due to their abrasiveness.
These should not be used exclusively but should be incorporated into a
routine using a fluoride paste. Do not use a whitening paste every time
you brush; use only once every day or two. Certain brands can be more
abrasive than others. Their efficacy is questionable.Some people claim
to notice a brightening of tooth color, while others notice no change.
This difference is partly due to variety in diet and tooth structure
among people. If you are serious about whitening your teeth, you should
discuss various options, including bleaching, with your dentist.
- Ayurvedic Pastes/Homeopathetic Pastes
- In India many Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Pastes containing Herbs
and Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Medicines are available. These Herbs are
used in this country since centuries to cure Dental Diseases but the
exact effect of these in Paste form is not available.
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