Ready to Brush Up on Oral Hygiene

The feeling of clean, smooth teeth is a terrific one. When the sticky biofilm better known as plaque (and its hardened form, tartar) clings to your teeth and builds up, you can feel the disconcerting roughness on your tongue. If these bacteria-laden biofilms are not cleaned off on a regular basis, they can lead to cavities and periodontal (gum) disease. You owe it to yourself to visit your dentist every six months for cleanings and checkups. In between time, your own meticulous oral hygiene is very important.  Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Maria and Thanasi Loukas will share more information about the basics of brushing your teeth.

Choosing a Toothbrush

With so many price ranges and choices on the market, the question is not so much “what is the best toothbrush to purchase?” Rather, you may want to ask yourself “which type of toothbrush will most inspire you to stick to your regular brushing routine?” The bigger priority is not procuring the best toothbrush on the market, but maintaining consistency with your oral hygiene routine which will keep your smile in the best possible condition between your six month checkups. Here’s a rundown of the two basic types of toothbrushes on the market:

Manual: For someone with strong hands, dexterity, and endurance, a manual toothbrush will definitely do the trick. Just make sure that you point the bristles at a 45-degree angle to your gumline, and mimic the vibrating motion of an electric toothbrush for optimal plaque and tartar removal.

Electric: Many people find it easier and more efficient to use an electric toothbrush for their oral hygiene needs. If this helps you stick to your brushing routine, then more power to you. Some battery operated toothbrushes even have built in timers and specific instructions on how long to focus on each quadrant of your teeth.

Timing is Everything

Try to brush your teeth once in the morning and once before bed. Your teeth can be broken down into four quadrants, and you should dedicate a minimum of thirty seconds of brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste to each. This equals two minutes in total, but allow 30 minutes after eating or drinking anything acidic so that your tooth enamel can re-harden and not be damaged by the bristles of the toothbrush. And remember to replace those manual toothbrushes, or electric toothbrush heads, every six weeks to three months. Keep an eye out for excessive wear on the bristles. Earlier replacement should be considered, if you have a contagious illness such as the flu.

Visit your Park Ridge Cosmetic Dentists

Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas can provide fluoride supplements to children and families to help maintain strong and healthy smiles. To schedule an appointment call Loukas General Dentistry at (847) 696-1919.