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How
much thought did you give when selecting your last toothbrush???
Was it
one suggested by your dentist?
Did you
like the color?
Was it
the latest advertised gadget?
Here's
our recommendations for choosing both a toothbrush and paste that will
give you a dazzling smile and fresh tasting mouth.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste and a correct brushing action work together to remove plaque, a
harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth and can cause decay, gum
disease, tooth loss and bad breath if not controlled. Toothpaste that
contains fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay
and promotes remineralisation, this aids in repairing early decay even
before the damage can be seen. There are also special ingredients in the
toothpaste that help to clean and polish the teeth, helping to remove not
only plaque but stains over time. Toothpaste also helps to freshen breath
and leaves your mouth and teeth with a clean and smooth feeling.
What type
of toothpaste should I use?
Paste or
gel, with or without flavorings is very much down to your personal
preferences. Most of the brand name products will do the job, just compare
the ingredients and make your choice and don't be afraid to change till
you find a paste you really like. The most important ingredient in any
toothpaste is Fluoride because it works effectively to fight plaque and
cavities.
How much
should I use?
Most
toothpaste ads give the impression that you need copious amounts of paste
to work, but I guess they have a vested interest?, this simply isn't so. A
peanut sized blob is all that should be needed, simply brush your teeth at
a 45 degree angle towards the gum line and brush the front, back and
between your teeth and you will find that the paste will foam enough to
cover all your teeth.
Children
up to the age of six should however should only be given a very small baby
pea sized dab of toothpaste on the brush, there are special strength
Fluoride toothpastes that are especially made for children under six. In
all circumstances always read the label and refer to your dental or
medical practitioner if in any doubt.
How long
should brush I for?
Dentists
generally recommend that teeth should be brushed for between 3 and 4
minutes at least twice a day, that's in the morning and before going to
bed. You could use an egg timer to measure your brushing time or perhaps
you'd prefer to brush your teeth whilst listening to the radio as most
modern songs are about 3 minutes long.
Your
toothbrush...
Looking
at the range of brushes on offer is it little wonder that we are somewhat
perplexed when making the right decision? All brushes comprise the same
components, an average brush has approximately 2,500 bristles grouped into
tufts. The tufts are folded over a metal staple and forced into pre cored
holes in the head and fixed in place. The handle is normally made of
plastic and rubber for comfort and shaped to fit the hand at the right
angle and with comfort. That's the basics of your toothbrush so here's
what to look for...
The best
bristles to consider are those with rounded ends and of medium texture,
the head of the brush should be small enough to reach your back teeth
easily, completely and in comfort. The handle must be long enough to reach
all areas of your mouth without difficulty and for those who have
difficulty holding small items there is now a range of wide or thick
handled brushes or electric toothbrushes to consider.
When to
replace your brush?
Dentists
recommend that your toothbrushes should be replaced in the following
circumstances
After
every 3 months of use
After a
cold or illness
When the
bristles lose their shape
Electric
toothbrushes
Once a
novelty item in the bathroom electric toothbrushes are becoming
increasingly popular, recent studies suggest there are some advantages for
people in using an electric toothbrush, these include improved cleaning,
better removal of staining and plaque and they are particularly good for
people who have limited manual dexterity.
Children
often prefer an electric toothbrush due to the smaller head making easier
to reach all areas of the mouth, they also like the novelty value of the
buzzing and with manufacturers making electric toothbrushes specifically
designed for children it is likely that the next generation will see an
electric toothbrush as the norm.
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