Please check out our Office News page to stay current on all the latest news from the office. |
|
Posted on 7/23/2019 by Dr. Elizabeth Vivona |
The next time you buy a toothbrush, take a close look at its packaging and you'll see that it's either marked as “soft bristles” or “firm bristles.” You'll want to avoid buying a toothbrush with hard bristles, opting for one that has soft bristles instead. This is because there are many dangers associated with using a toothbrush that has hard bristles. Firm Bristles Damage Your TeethA toothbrush that has firm bristles can accelerate the amount of wear and tear that happens to your gums. If you already have gum (a.k.a. periodontal) disease, this means that you'll experience tooth recession much faster. This is because the toothbrush will damage your tooth enamel as you remove the plaque from your teeth. Brushing your teeth too hard will also damage your sensitive gum tissue, especially that which is located at or near your gum line. The damage that happens isn't limited to this location though. You can also damage your enamel and the surfaces of your tooth's roots. Studies have also shown that most people who opt for a toothbrush with firm bristles will skip brushing the areas of their mouth that are located near their gum line, as well as any part of their mouth that may feel sore or even a bit tender. This is because a firm bristle toothbrush makes the pain worse, simply by touching this area of your mouth. So, while the areas of your teeth that are the most visible will get cleaned well, other areas of your mouth will be skipped over, and this can cause additional problems that we'll have to help you resolve the next time you come into our office for a checkup. These are problems that you won't want to hear about and that could have been avoided simply by choosing a toothbrush with the right type of bristles. |