When the modern toothbrush was invented several hundred years ago, oral hygiene enthusiasts were happy to make the chance from animal hair tooth brushes or chewing sticks. Boar’s hair bristles were the most commonly used toothbrushes up until the early twentieth century. Fortunately, now we have a plethora of toothbrush options in most stores. However, not all toothbrushes are beneficial for your dental health. Many people choose hard bristled toothbrushes thinking the harsher scrubbing will better eliminate debris and tooth stains. Unfortunately, hard-bristled toothbrushes are often more harmful to your dental health.

Brush Softly 

The American Dental Association recommends using soft-bristled toothbrushes because harsher bristles will damage tooth enamel and irritate gums. Brushing too harshly can also cause your gum tissues to recede, exposing your dental pulp and roots to hot and cold temperatures and germ infestation. By using a soft-bristled brush, you can scrub away plaque and food debris without harming your protective enamel layers or your delicate gingival tissues which are designed to seal the lower part of your teeth off from harm.

 Bad Breath Causing Bacteria

Have you ever found that your breath still seems stale even after brushing your teeth? This can be very frustrating when you feel like you’re doing all of the right things. While there are many reasons for chronic bad breath (halitosis) one common cause is bacterial buildup on the back of your tongue. Your taste buds collect odor-causing bacteria and dead cells throughout the day, creating bad breath which cannot simply be washed away with simple oral hygiene practices. You can combat bad breath by using your toothbrush or a tongue scraper to better scrub the back of your tongue. Rinse the brush after each swipe, so that you do not simply reintroduce bacteria to the taste buds.

Quality Dental Care in Riverside

We offer dental cleanings and preventive dentistry to help you achieve optimal oral health. Contact one of our Riverside County dental offices today. For more information about the services we offer, or to reserve an appointment at Dental Associates of Riverside, call (951) 369-1001.