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In general, a toothbrush head should be small (1" by
1/2") for easy access to all areas of the mouth, teeth
and gums. It should have a long, wide handle for a firm grasp.
It should have soft nylon bristles with rounded ends so you
won't hurt your gums.
Be sure to change your toothbrush, or toothbrush
head (if you're using an electric toothbrush) before the bristles
become splayed and frayed. Not only are old toothbrushes ineffective,
but they may harbor harmful bacteria that can cause infection
such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
Toothbrushes should be changed every three
to four months. Sick people should change their toothbrush
at the beginning of an illness and after they feel better.
Place the toothbrush beside your teeth at
a 45-degree angle and rub back-and-forth gently. Brush outside
the teeth, inside the tooth, your tongue, and especially brush
on chewing surfaces and between teeth. Be sure to brush at
least twice a day, especially after meals.
You should brush your teeth at least 2-3
minutes twice a day. Brush your teeth for the length of a
song on the radio, the right amount of time to get the best
results from brushing. Unfortunately, most Americans only
brush for 45-70 seconds twice a day.
Electric toothbrushes don't work that much
better than manual toothbrushes, but they do motivate some
reluctant brushers to clean their teeth more often. The whizzing
sounds of an electric toothbrush and the tingle of the rotary
tufts swirling across teeth and gums often captivates people
who own electric toothbrushes.
They are advantageous because they can cover
more area faster. Electric toothbrushes are recommended for
people who have limited manual dexterity, such as a disabled
or elderly person and those who wear braces.
Sometimes, it takes more time and effort to
use an electric toothbrush because batteries must be recharged,
and it must be cleaned after every use. Most electric toothbrushes
have rechargeable batteries that take 10 to 45 minutes to
recharge.
Electric toothbrushes generally work by using
tufts of nylon bristles to stimulate gums and clean teeth
in an oscillating or rotary motion. Some tufts are arranged
in a circular pattern, while others have the traditional shape
of several bristles lined up on a row. When first using an
electric toothbrush, expect some bleeding from your gums.
The bleeding will stop when you learn to control
the brush and your gums become healthier. Children under 10
should be supervised when using an electric toothbrush. Avoid
mashing the tufts against your teeth in an effort to clean
them. Use light force and slow movements, and allow the electric
bristle action to do its job.
Hold the toothbrush with a finger grip, similar
in manner to how you would hold a pen. Do not use a fist grip
as this could cause you to be forceful and loose brushing
precision. When using an electric toothbrush the grip will
vary from model to model as the handle is of different shapes,
we advise you consult the supplied manual if unsure.
Focus the action of the toothbrush head where
the teeth meet the gums. Moving the toothbrush back and forth
in a gentle manner around this area will help remove the layer
of germs that form plaque.
As well as cleaning around the tooth and gum
boundary take time to clean every tooth surface. Remember
not to forget the back of the teeth and between the gaps.
It is a good idea to clean each tooth in turn
as you progress around the mouth. This will help ensure no
teeth are missed and will develop a routine. Using the Sonicare
'Quadpacer' technology you are able to easily divide up the
mouth in to four quarters in order to cover all areas equally.
If children enter the habit of having their
teeth brushed at an early age they are more likely to maintain
healthy teeth. Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as
they appear in the mouth. Use a baby brush and a small smear
of flouride toothpaste.
Obvisously at this age an electric toothbrush
is not suitable and the fine control you need may be found
using a specifically designed baby's manual toothbrush such
as those available from the Oral-B range. We suggest should
you require a more in depth explanation you consult your family
dentist.
In general children under seven will need
help to get their teeth fully clean as they may not posses
the physical dexterity to fully cover all areas of the mouth.
A common technique is to stand behind them and hold the brush,
guiding it with them as they brush. This will help them become
accustomed to the correct brushing procedure.
Brushing
Tips For Your Teeth|How
to Choose a Toothbrush|How
effective are electric toothbrushes?|
Manual
toothbrushes work just as well|How
Do I Use A Toothbrush?|Dental
Hygiene|
The
natural way to healthy teeth and gums|Toothpaste
& Whiteners
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