Toothbrush Tips From Bonaventure Dental, Baton Rouge

Although cleaning your teeth is nothing new, the products used to care for our teeth are changing all the time to help improve our dental hygiene and therefore keep our teeth and gums healthy and cavity free.

Early forms of the toothbrush have been around for 5,000 years although in those days a ‘chew stick’, which was a thin twig with a frayed end, was rubbed against the teeth. A bit harsher than what’s on the market today!

In the late 15^th century bristle toothbrushes were invented by the Chinese using pig hair attached to bone or bamboo handles. Boar bristles were used until 1938 when nylon bristles were introduced.

The teeth cleaning habits of soldiers in World War II influenced Americans and later we adopted the nylon toothbrush here. By the 1950s softer brushes were created and electric toothbrushes began to enter the scene in the 1960s.

Today we have manual and electric toothbrushes available in all shapes, colors, sizes, and strengths.

So, what’s best way to look after your teeth?

As October is National Dental Hygiene Month we here at Bonaventure Dental Care have compiled 10 Top Tips for using and looking after your toothbrush and general good oral health care, which are also recommended by the American Dental Association.

1. 1. First off – the big manual or electric toothbrush debate? Which is best? In all honesty, both types are as effective and clean your teeth thoroughly if used routinely.
   2. Soft bristle brushes are often best however, as medium or hard can sometimes cause damage to your gum and enamel. Brush gently and use a fluoride toothpaste.
   3. The most important thing is to make sure you clean your teeth for at least 2 minutes a day, twice a day.
   4. With the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle just gently move the brush back and forth in short strokes. Brush the outer surfaces and the inner surfaces and don’t forget to reach to the back.
   5. Flossing is highly effective, and you can floss before or after brushing your teeth. There’s no right or wrong order but flossing once a day is recommended.
   6. In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth you can also clean your tongue which will help keep your mouth bacteria free and your breath fresh. You can do this with certain toothbrushes or tongue brushes or scrapers
   7. To clean your toothbrush just rinse it off under the tap water and store it upright so it dries naturally.
   8. Try not to keep all the toothbrushes huddled together or cover the heads as bacteria breeds in such environments.
   9. Don’t share your toothbrush!
   10. Be sure to replace your toothbrush or electric brush head every three months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

Feel free to contact us here at Bonaventure Dental Care in Baton Rouge if you have any questions about your toothbrushing routine or oral health in general. We’ll be happy to help you.