Is it best up and down or round and round?

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I recently read an article from Woman’s Day Magazine.  Before you jump to conclusions about my reading habits, be aware the article was a reprint on the internet.  The dental theme of the article is what caught my eye.  We live in a numbers/statistics world, and I keep hearing that women make about 90% of the health-related decisions in a family.  With that much “health clout” I can only assume they read a lot on health topics. And so it would make sense that women’s magazines have lots of health-related articles.

The first part of the article is about toothbrushes.  Most people I know own one. Some, even use it at times.  (I have had to remind a pre-teen boy or two to remember to use the fuzzy end! By the time they discover girls they usually figure it out!)  Today I present a few simple ideas to make a part of your dental health routine.

  • Use a toothbrush. Electric or manual is up to you.  My experience has been the electric brushes tend to be used more diligently. I am not sure if it is because of its novelty or ease of use.  Electrics tend to stall out if too much pressure is applied to the teeth and gums, preventing damage to these areas.
  • Two minutes is a great amount of time to brush. Many electrics have a two minute timer. Nicer rotary brushes such as Sonic Care, have a reminder that alerts you when 30 seconds has passed and it is time to move to the next area of the mouth.  If you brush with a manual toothbrush, an egg timer helps.  You can also brush while listening to a song, and brush for most of it.
  • A soft-bristled brush is recommended. Stiffer bristles will damage the tooth and irritate the gums.  The foaming tooth paste does most of the work. Harder is definitely NOT better.
  • Brush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums. This angle allows for better removal of plaque and food debris that is left behind.  Brush with a gentle back and forth AND round and round motion to prevent notching of the enamel.

These are a few simple reminders. If you have any dental questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at (620) 231-6070.  You can also learn more at our website, www.pittsburgkansasdentist.com.  Feel free to find us and like us on facebook for more dental tips.  We are here to serve you.  Also, if you have any questions that could be of interest to others, leave a comment and we may use it in a future post.