We know that many of the sugary foods and drinks we take have consequences on our oral health. But many do not know that using the wrong tooth brush can damage their teeth and gums.
One habit that wrecks the teeth, according to dentists, is the use of hard tooth brushes, especially smokers’ tooth brush, when it has not been recommended by an expert.
Consultant dentist, Dr. Evelyn Eshikena, notes that using hard toothbrushes can erode the tooth’s enamel, reduce its quality and cause tooth loss.
We know that many of the sugary foods and drinks we take have consequences on our oral health. But many do not know that using the wrong tooth brush can damage their teeth and gums.
One habit that wrecks the teeth, according to dentists, is the use of hard tooth brushes, especially smokers’ tooth brush, when it has not been recommended by an expert.
Consultant dentist, Dr. Evelyn Eshikena, notes that using hard toothbrushes can erode the tooth’s enamel, reduce its quality and cause tooth loss.
She states,“ Hard brushes are only recommended for those with stained teeth – maybe coffee drinkers and smokers because they will need something hard for soft polishing. If you don’t have this, you are supposed to be using soft or medium-textured brushes; or else you may develop teeth sensitivity and damage your enamel.”
Eshikena say for kids, only soft brushes should be used.
Another habit that the experts note may compromise ones oral hygiene is self medication. Consultant Dentist and the National President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Rotimi Olojede, warns that people with tooth problems, who patronise quacks or practise medication, are doing more harm than good to their health.
Olojede says, “Many often delay seeing a dentist when they have tooth problems because they feel it is expensive or it’s not important. So, they use ‘Touch and Go’, petrol or other products to treat tooth ache. I say you are only harming yourself, because when the pain becomes unbearable, you will eventually see a dentist and you will pay more. If you go to quacks, then you are only subjecting yourself to experiments, and they will damage your gum.”
Olojede also advises that one should visit one’s dentist twice a year for proper oral evaluation. According to him, the symptoms of some killer diseases like cancer, diabetes and hypertension manifest in the mouth and thorough dental check will ensure that they are picked and treated early.
You also may want to think again before you reach for toothpicks after your meals, as they can cause serious injuries to the gum, leading to tooth problems. Eshikena says careless use of toothpicks could cause severe and irreparable damages to the gums and the dentition.
According to her, they should be used sparingly when dental floss is not available and they should be thrown out to avoid using it unconsciously even after a meal.
Eshikena states,“ We advise that one should do without toothpicks as much as possible. They are not good at all. The sharp edges injure the gums. They poke it and dig holes into the gum and in between the teeth. When there is an injury to the gum, germs settle on it, causing infections. These infections may worsen into tooth cavities. You may lose your teeth and in severe cases, the nerves of the gum may be damaged, leading to other complications. We want people to start using dental floss.”
To maintain a good oral hygiene, here are some brushing tips.
•Brush your teeth at least twice a day. When you brush, don’t rush. Take enough time to do a thorough job.
•Use the proper equipment. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your mouth comfortably. Consider using an electric or battery-operated toothbrush, which can reduce plaque and a mild form of gum disease (gingivitis) more than does manual brushing. These devices are also helpful if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.
•Practise a good technique. Hold your toothbrush at a slight angle – aiming the bristles toward the area where your tooth meets your gum. Gently brush with short back-and-forth motions. Remember to brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth, as well as your tongue.
•Keep your equipment clean. Always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, if possible, and allow it to air-dry until using it again. Don’t routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.
•Know when to replace your toothbrush. Invest in a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months — or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
•Eat fruits to scrub the teeth. Nothing beats brushing twice a day and flossing and rinsing daily to keep your teeth and gums healthy. But you can help your pearly whites stay clean by ending meals with crunchy fruits and veggies. Not only will they give your teeth a little scrub, the healthy foods will keep the rest of your body in top form, too.
*Culled from The Punch
10 Tooth brushing Mistakes
Tooth brushing is such an ingrained habit, few people think twice about it. But as with any habit, you can get sloppy, and that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Mistake No. 1: Not Using the Right Toothbrush
Consider the size of your mouth when picking a toothbrush, says Richard H. Price, DMD, the consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. "If you are straining to open wide enough to let the brush in, the brush is probably too big," he says.
''The handle has to be comfortable," he says. It should feel as comfortable as holding a fork when you eat.
"The more comfortable it is in your mouth and your hand, then the more likely you will use it and use it properly," he says.
Which is the better toothbrush: Electric or manual?
"It's an individual preference," says Michael Sesemann, DDS, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and an Omaha dentist. "A person who brushes well with a manual will do as well as a person who brushes well with an electric."
Price agrees. "It's not the toothbrush, it's the brusher."
Mistake No. 2: Not Picking the Right Bristles
Some toothbrushes have angled bristles, others straight. So is one type better? Dentists say no.
''It's more related to technique than the way the bristles come out," says Sesemann.
What is important when buying a toothbrush? Bristles that are too stiff can aggravate the gums. The ADA recommends a soft-bristled brush.
''Bristles should be sturdy enough to remove plaque but not hard enough to damage [the teeth] when used properly," says Price. He doesn't recommend "natural" bristles such as those made from animal hair or boar bristle.
Mistake No. 3: Not Brushing Often Enough or Long Enough
Softly brushing your teeth at least twice a day is recommended. ''Three times a day is best," says Sesemann.
With too much time between brushings, he says, bacterial plaque will build up, boosting the risk of gum inflammation and other problems.
Brushing should last at least two minutes, says Sesemann. Three minutes is even better, says Price.
Most people fall short of both time lines, says Sesemann. "It's an arbitrary number, but it's just so people take the time to clean all the surfaces." He often recommends people divide the mouth into quadrants and spend 30 seconds a quadrant. Some electric toothbrushes include built-in timers.
To make the two minutes go faster, Sesemann says he ''multitasks,'' fitting in a little TV viewing as he brushes.
Mistake No. 4: Brushing Too Often or Too Hard
While brushing your teeth three times a day is ideal, more may not be, says Sesemann. "More than four toothbrushings a day would begin to seem compulsive."
Excessive brushing could expose the root of the tooth to irritation, and that could in turn irritate the gums. Brushing vigorously can also erode tooth enamel. The trick is to brush very gently for two to three minutes.
Mistake No. 5: Not Brushing Correctly
''Long horizontal strokes along the gumline can lead to abrasions," says Sesemann. "Aim your bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle and do short strokes or vibrations." Softly brush up and down your teeth, not across your teeth. The strokes should be vertical or circular, not horizontal.
Be sure to brush outer and inner tooth surfaces, the chewing surfaces, and your tongue.
Mistake No. 6: Starting in the Same Place Each Time
Many people start brushing the same part of their mouth over and over, dentists find.
"Start in a different place so that you don't get lazy in the same area of your mouth," says Price. He reasons that by the time you get to the last quadrant of your mouth, you're bored with brushing.
Mistake No. 7: Skipping Inner Tooth Surfaces
Most people forget to brush the inner surfaces of teeth — the surface that your tongue presses against.
"The plaque you can't see is just as important to remove as the plaque you can see," says Price.
The most commonly skipped area, dentists say, is the inner surface of the lower front teeth.
Mistake No. 8: Not Following Up With a Rinse
Bacteria can grow on an un-rinsed toothbrush. Then, the next time you brush your teeth, you may actually put old bacteria back in your mouth, says Laurence Rifkin, DDS, a dentist in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Rinsing the toothbrush after you brush will help remove any leftover toothpaste, too.
Mistake No. 9: Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry
"If you have a toothbrush that's perpetually moist, it will cultivate more bacteria," says Sesemann
"If the bristles stay soggy, you can misshape them as you use the brush," Price says. "Or it might be a breeding ground for bacteria."
It's a good idea to shake out the moisture, then recap it with a cap that allows air in, he says.
Mistake No. 10: Not Changing the Toothbrush Often Enough
The American Dental Association recommends getting a new brush every three or four months, or even sooner if the bristles look frayed.
But rather than go by a strict timeline, Price says a visual inspection of the bristles is better. "Once the bristles lose their normal flexibility and start to break apart, change your toothbrush," he says.
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