Humans have recognized the important role that toothbrushing plays in good oral health for thousands of years. Earlier civilizations rubbed their teeth with twigs to remove food as far back as 5,000 years, according to the American Dental Association, or ADA, and later civilizations improved the process by making toothbrushes with such materials as bone, ivory and animal bristles. Hence, the modern toothbrush represents the evolution of a longstanding tool and practice.
Recommended Toothbrushing Practices
The ADA recommends brushing your teeth no less than twice a day using a toothbrush with soft bristles and toothpaste that contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay. The toothbrush should have a shape and size that allows it to fit inside your mouth comfortably and reach all of your teeth easily. Removing plaque, a sticky substance that promotes bacterial growth, from between your teeth with interdental cleaners or floss at least once each day is also critical because toothbrushes cannot reach those areas.
Toothbrushing Techniques
Proper toothbrushing requires holding your toothbrush against your outer gums at an angle of about 45 degrees, according to the ADA. First move the toothbrush gently in small strokes across your outer teeth, and then continue to brush the chewing and inner surfaces. When cleaning the inner surfaces, brush up and down while holding the bristle area of the toothbrush in a vertical position. End the procedure by brushing your tongue with the bristles of your toothbrush to eliminate bacteria, which can help make your breath smell fresher.
Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are more than just a powered--and for many children and some adults, fun--alternative to manual toothbrushes. Individuals who suffer from health conditions that affect their motor skills, such as arthritis, may find it easier to brush their teeth more thoroughly with assistance from an electric toothbrush. The devices can also improve your oral and gum health because the mechanical movements of the bristles often help remove a larger amount of plaque than conventional toothbrushes, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, the ADA says manual toothbrushes are effective cleaners too.
Toothbrush Maintenance
Brushing your teeth properly requires taking good care of your toothbrush. The ADA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, suggest keeping toothbrushes clean and as bacteria-free as possible by rinsing them with tap water to remove debris and toothpaste left after brushing. Cleaning or disinfecting toothbrushes with detergents and other methods is not needed or scientifically supported, according to the CDC, and may even damage them.
The ADA and CDC further recommend drying toothbrushes uncovered, then storing them in a vertical position, preferably uncovered; storing toothbrushes in containers allows bacteria to thrive in a moist environment. You should replace your toothbrush approximately every three months, the amount of time it generally takes for bristles to become worn out, although some people, particularly children, may require more frequent replacement. The CDC also strongly advises against sharing toothbrushes with other people, which can increase the risk of developing an infection after contact with another person's bodily fluids.
Considerations
Toothbrushing, either alone or combined with flossing and other preventive practices such as using mouthwash, is not sufficient to maintain good oral health. It's essential to have your teeth professionally examined and cleaned up to two times a year, according to the Mayo Clinic. Failing to do so may lead to oral health problems, such as periodontal, or gum disease and gingivitis, an early form of periodontal disease that dentists can help reverse if they detect the problem early enough.
References
- American Dental Association: A Look at Toothbrushes
- American Dental Association: Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums
- American Dental Association: Toothbrushes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The Use and Handling of Toothbrushes
- MayoClinic.com: Electric Toothbrush--Better than Regular Toothbrush?
