When purchasing a toothbrush, choose one with soft bristles that have rounded ends. Hard bristles can wear away enamel, as can a “death grip” on your toothbrush that leads you to exert too much pressure on tooth enamel, which abrades teeth. With this in mind, use a light touch when brushing. If the bristles become splayed after a month of use, it is an indication that you are exerting too much pressure. It is also important to take your time, being sure to brush all surfaces. Each tooth has at least four surfaces (front, back, and both sides), while molars have a fifth top surface. Thorough brushing requires at least two to three minutes.
This helpful and informative column has been brought to you in the interest of better dental health by West Brookfield Dental. Call us at 508.867.2777 for an appointment. Have you been putting off seeing a dentist? We’re located at 9 West Main St., West Brookfield. We are currently accepting new patients. We provide cosmetic, functional, and preventive dental care for all patients of all ages. You can rely on us to answer any questions you may have about dental treatments and procedures.
P.S. While toothpaste helps freshen breath and keep teeth white, as well as provides fluoride, it is the mechanical action of the bristles that do the primary job of removing cavity-causing plaque from tooth surfaces.
