News

Toothbrushes

While strolling down the aisle in your local pharmacy or grocery store, you may have noticed a wide variety of toothbrushes sitting on the shelves. Although the style and designs of the brushes may vary, it is still very important to remember that to be effective, you must use it. To be thorough (and eliminate the most bacteria and plaque), you must brush for two to three minutes at least twice a day. Unfortunately, the average American brushes less than one minute, and therefore, proper ( it takes time to get used to proper brushing). Some patients find it helpful to use a timer while brushing, or listen to the radio and brush for an entire song.

When purchasing a toothbrush, the head should be ½” to 1” long (depending on your age and size of your mouth) and small enough to easily reach all areas (including the back) of your mouth. The handle should be thick enough and wide enough to hold securely and firmly and we strongly recommend using a soft bristled brush. Old toothbrushes are ineffective, and should be changed anytime that you notice fraying of the bristles (usually every 3 months) or when gettincg over the flu, common cold, or any other illness (as bacteria can lurk and potentially cause infection). If your brush is fairly new and you are getting over a cold, you can place your toothbrush in the dishwasher on the sterilization cycle to kill any bacteria.

When brushing, remember to place the brush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush in a circular motion, gradually covering the entire mouth. Be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth (front, back, sides, and chewing surfaces), gums, and tongue. It is helpful to remember to break the mouth up into four sections and brush each section for 35 seconds. We recommend brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and when considering a product, make sure it has been endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA).

It is important to note that regardless of which toothbrush you use (manual or electric), to keep your teeth healthy, your teeth should be cleaned by a dental professional at least every six months (for the average patient) or more frequently if you have any periodontal issues.

Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes

Many patients wonder if an electric toothbrush is really worth the investment. In our experience it is. We have found that electric brushes have improved the oral health of our patients. No matter which electric brush you choose, they tend to provide advantages over manual brushes. Most Americans tend to brush for less than one minute when using a manual toothbrush. With an electric toothbrush there are more brush strokes per minute so and it seems that people spend more time with the electric brush than a manual brush, coming closer to completing the recommended two to three minutes of brushing two times a day. Electric brushes provide a consistent level of movement, which allows for less tooth wear and gum irritation. Many times, excessive wear and gum recession is present in certain areas because a patient is over brushing or brushing too hard with their manual brush. In a recent study performed by the University at Buffalo Dental School, the University found that electric toothbrushes more effectively reduced the levels of two bacteria that have been associated with gum disease. This study was performed using manual and electric toothbrushes in a controlled study and the results favored electric brushes as a sound investment in aiding oral hygiene.

It has also been noted by the American Dental Association, that when an electric toothbrush was used by children between the ages of 8 and 12 years, there was a significant decrease in the amount of plaque on the primary and permanent teeth of these children.

All of our team members including Dr. Hopgood use and recommend the Sonicare Elite Professional Series. In a clinical study by Sonicare comparing the Sonicare Elite, Sonicare Advanced and the Braun Oral –B 3D Excel both Sonicare toothbrushes were found to be safe and effective in removal of supragingival plaque (plaque above the gums). In hard to reach areas, the Sonicare Elite was found to remove significantly more plaque than the Sonicare Advance. In the interproximal spaces (between the teeth), Sonicare Elite removed 20% more plaque than Sonicare Advance toothbrush. The Sonicare Elite was found to remove significantly more plaque than a manual toothbrush and found to be 4 times more gentle on dentin than the Braun brush.

As with a manual toothbrush, once the bristles become frayed the "head" of the brush is less effective in removing food debris and bacteria. The toothbrush “head” should be changed every 3 months or when getting over the flu, common cold, or any other illness (as bacteria can lurk and potentially cause infection).

It is important to note that regardless of which toothbrush you use (manual or electric), to keep your teeth healthy, your teeth should be cleaned by a dental professional at least every six months and examined by Dr. Hopgood at your scheduled appointment(s). If you are interested in purchasing a Sonicare or need replacement heads please contact the office at your earliest convenience.

Advanced Dental Concepts
Richard D. Hopgood D.M.D., M.A.G.D.
296 Lowell Street
Andover, MA 01810
Telephone: 978-475-2431
Email: info@andoverdmd.com