At Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry, family dentists Dr. James D. Geren and Dr. Zeyad Mady are often asked how to choose the most basic tool of oral hygiene, the toothbrush. Picking a toothbrush in Alexandria can be as difficult as choosing a paint color, and there seems to be just as many choices.
If you have visited the dental section of your local Alexandria grocery store or Mt. Vernon Walmart lately, you know what we are talking about. There are brushes with bristles of varying lengths, brushes that massage your gums, and brushes that change color when they are used up.
Some toothbrush manufacturers claim their brushes freshen your breath or remove stains from your teeth. How do you choose?
One key factor is the firmness of the bristles. Hard bristles may be more effective for cleaning burnt steak off a grill or hard water deposits off a shower floor. However, this does not hold true for your teeth. Medium and firm brushes can damage your gums. Soft and extra-soft bristles are plenty stiff enough to clean plague, food particles, and surface stains from your teeth. Soft bristles also offer more flexibility for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
After having restorative dentistry procedures or oral surgery in Mt. Vernon, especially anything involving soft tissue grafts, make sure you use an extra-soft brush and be careful!
When buying a toothbrush for a child in Mt. Vernon, make sure the brush feels comfortable in their hand. If the size and angle feels awkward, the child will be less likely to use it long enough to clean all areas of the mouth. Children do not necessarily need a child-sized tooth brush. Some Mt. Vernon kids can manage an adult size brush better than a short, narrow child size brush. If you are unsure, ask your Alexandria dentist at Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry.
What about the electric types and water-shooters? Some Alexandria folks like the feeling of vibrating bristles or a mini-squirt gun blasting away at the plaque. Mt. Vernon people with arthritis or other movement-inhibiting conditions can benefit from powered brushes which take some strain off hands and arm muscles.
Is your toothbrush doing the job? Schedule an exam with your Alexandria dentist at Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry.
At Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry, our continuing education dental hygienists instruct our Alexandria pediatric clients and Mt. Vernon adult patients on proper brushing and flossing. If you haven’t experienced a dental deep cleaning at Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry, you don’t know how clean your teeth and gums can feel.
Schedule a thorough dental cleaning today by calling Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry at 703-360-5881. An outstanding feature of Mt. Vernon Center for Dentistry is caring professionals. We offer Family and Cosmetic Dentistry and a full spectrum of restorative dental procedures.
