Which Toothbrush Do I Choose?

Choosing the right toothbrush is no easy task! There are seemingly hundreds to choose from. And when you have braces, it makes the choice that much harder. Since brushing is the single most important thing you can do to maintain healthy teeth and gums, choosing the right toothbrush is very important.

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a toothbrush...

• Purchase a brush with soft bristles. The soft bristles help remove the plaque better without damaging the enamel or injuring the gums.
• Make sure the toothbrush is not too large. A smaller brush head will make it easier to get into the smaller spaces between the teeth and around your braces.
• It is important to replace your toothbrush about every 3 months. And if you are wearing braces, you may need to replace it even sooner. Worn bristles become less effective at removing the plaque from your teeth.
• Consider purchasing an electric toothbrush.

While it is possible to do an adequate job brushing using a manual toothbrush, for someone who is wearing braces, the use of an electric toothbrush definitely has it's advantages. Because the electric brush moves itself, more focus can be placed on how the brush is angled, allowing the patient to do a better job. There is also a tendency to not brush as hard, so there is less injury to the gums and less gum recession. Patients are often more motivated to use an electric toothbrush; it makes brushing a little more fun!

For our patients at DiCiccio Orthodontics, we highly recommend the Phillips Sonicare toothbrush. This toothbrush has been clinically proven to remove plaque from the teeth and braces much better than a regular toothbrush. The sonic technology creates a unique brushing action which drives fluid between the teeth, along the gumline and around the braces to clean more effectively. Another great advantage is that the Sonicare has a 2 minute timer to help ensure that you are brushing for the proper length of time.

The Braun Oral-B toothbrush is another popular electric toothbrush that gets good reviews. The motion of the Oral-B is different from that of the Sonicare. The Oral-B has an oscillatory motion, while the Sonicare has a vibrating movement. Both toothbrushes perform well, however for someone with braces, in our opinion, the Sonicare would be the toothbrush of choice.

Brushing, what's the big deal??

What is the big deal about brushing? Most likely you have been told the majority of your life to brush and floss your teeth twice a day. You have heard it from your parents ever since you can remember and your dentist and orthodontist tell you every time you go in for an appointment. But why is it such a big deal? Here's why...

Most young people don't understand that if the teeth aren't kept nice and clean, especially when wearing braces, that they can actually end up with permanent stains (decalcification) or even worse, cavities on their teeth. These white colored stains will never go away. They are caused by plaque, which can easily be removed with a toothbrush and floss.

Plaque is a sticky substance, made of bacteria, that forms on the teeth from the foods you eat. You know that "fuzzy" feeling you get on your teeth when you haven't brushed in a while...that's plaque. The bacteria in the plaque produces acids, which if left on the teeth, destroys the enamel and causes decalcification and cavities. The plaque also cause the gums to become red, puffy and bleed easily. Over an extended period of time, it can lead to the loss of bone that supports the teeth in the mouth.

So that's why! Hopefully, now that you understand the reason behind all the fuss, you will pull out that toothbrush and floss on a daily basis and brush those braces until they sparkle. If you aren't quite sure exactly how you should be brushing, take a peek at the brushing video below. By angling the toothbrush, you can more easily reach the surfaces of the teeth next to the gum line above and below the wires. Brush away!