How To Choose a Toothbrush

               

If you’ve ever walked down the dental hygiene aisle at the grocery store, then you know that there are many different options of toothbrushes available. Choices like electric, manual, flexible handle, narrow head and more make for a difficult decision in the toothbrush buying process, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. How do you know what the best toothbrush is for you? Are certain toothbrushes better than others? If you’re looking for a new toothbrush, keep reading for some tips on how to make the decision that is right for you.

Choosing a Toothbrush

When looking for a toothbrush, there are two main things to take into consideration: the size of the head and the hardness of the bristles. For size, it is important that the brush can easily access all surfaces of the teeth. Most adults use a head half an inch wide and 1 inch tall. Bigger toothbrushes are available, but may be harder to use and prevent the brush from effectively reaching all the teeth. If you are unsure of what brush size to get, look for an age recommendation on the package. Getting a toothbrush that is age specific will help ensure that it is the right size for you.

Toothbrushes also come with different types of bristles: hard, medium, and soft. Most people find the soft bristles to be the most comfortable. Soft bristles are also recommended by dentists as medium and hard bristles can damage the gums and enamel. In addition to using a brush with soft bristles, try to find bristles that are round-tipped as well. This will be the safest and most comfortable option.

Electric vs. Manual

A common question many people have when buying a new toothbrush is whether or not an electric toothbrush is more effective than a manual toothbrush. The truth is that both manual and electric toothbrushes are equally effective in cleaning teeth. The real difference is in the ease of use – electric toothbrushes are somewhat easier to use. Electric toothbrushes are also often preferred by children, because they are more fun to use, so you may consider going the electric route if your child needs some encouragement brushing.

Other Considerations

When buying a toothbrush, there are other factors you may want to consider as well.

Handle

• Straight: toothbrushes with straight handles are easy to control
• Angled: angled handles assist in reaching hard to clean areas
• Non-slip grip: prevents the toothbrush from slipping while brushing
• Flexible: flexible handles help reduce gum injury from over brushing 

Head Shape

• Conventional/rectangular: effectively reaches every tooth
• Tapered/diamond: narrower and easier to reach posterior teeth

Bristle Style

• Flat: all bristles are the same length
• Rippled/wavy/V-shaped: better contact with areas around the tooth
• Multilevel trim: reaches hard to clean areas
• “Polishing up”: helpful in removing surface stains

Toothbrush handles, head shapes, and bristle styles all serve different purposes, so no one is better than another. These choices should be based on personal preference.

Top Electric Toothbrushes

If you decide to go for an electric toothbrush, check out one from this list of top electric toothbrushes.

1. Phillips Sonicare Flexcare Plus Toothbrush System: With two different speeds, two types of heads, and a built in timer, many sources agree that this is the best toothbrush you can get because of its ease of use.
2. Oral-B 5000 ProfessionalCare SmartSeries Electric Toothbrush: This toothbrush also comes with a built-in timer, and has four different modes with pulsating and oscillating actions. It is also rechargeable, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of batteries.
3. Phillips Sonicare HX9332/05 Diamonclean rechargeable Toothbrush: This toothbrush is the only dental tool you need! Healthier gums in just 2 weeks. Whitens teeth.in 1 week. Charging glass and USB travel case included.
4. Oral B Professional Healthy Clean + Sensitive Gum Care Precision 3000 Rechargeable Toothbrush: Specially designed to be gentle yet powerful, this toothbrush removes plaque in a way that increases efficiency and decreases inconvenience. Healthier gums in just 30 days.
5. Phillips Sonicare HX6733/70 Healthy White 3 mode Premium Edition Rechargeable Toothbrush:           Highly effective in removing stains in addition to plaque, this toothbrush also comes with a specially designed head that helps keep toothpaste on the brush. 2 brush heads with sanitizer and travel case included.

You may also want to look for a toothbrush with ADA Seal of Approval to ensure an effective toothbrush. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months or once they are worn out. If you have any questions about what kind of toothbrush to use, talk to your dentist. They will be able to best determine which type of toothbrush would best fit your dental needs.

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Happy Tooth Fairy Day!

Found in the Chicago Tribune this morning:

The average gift left for kids who lost a tooth was up 15 percent last year, from $2.10 in 2011 to $2.42 in 2012, according to the Original Tooth Fairy Poll, sponsored by Delta Dental. The most common gift was $1, received by 51 percent of those surveyed.

The poll found that the tooth fairy visited 90 percent of homes with children who lost a tooth and that in 46 percent of homes the first tooth a child lost commanded more money than did subsequent teeth. The average amount left for a first lost tooth was $3.49, according to the poll.

(See the original article here.)

Dental Health and Sports Nutrition

Whether we are hardcore athletes, exercise fanatics, or even exercise a couple times a week, what motivates us is the health benefits we get from exercise.  As a result, the reward is a healthier body and mind.  We can maximize our performance by eating and sleeping right, however, what we eat can have a negative effect on our teeth.

The bacteria that harbor in our mouth use sugar as a readily available energy source to produce acid that eventually causes a cavity in the tooth.  The more sugar, the more bacteria will thrive and the more teeth that can be affected.  But it is important to know, during strenuous exercise, we usually breathe through our mouths, producing a dry-mouth.  Once the amount of saliva is decreased, the oral environment becomes even more susceptible to the growth of bacteria.  Since exercise can occur everyday for many people, the decay-causing event will occur day after day.

Be aware of the following things that we eat and drink that can promote tooth decay:
     -Sport drinks
     -Gummy and sticky sports candy, i.e. Bloks and Beans
     -Tablets
     -Energy bars
     -Cookies and wafers
 
Although we aren't going to forego the nutrition that we need while in pursuit of our sport or exercise goals, and no one would recommend that,  here are some suggestions and recommendations:

1.  Carry a bottle of pure water while your exercising.  Rinse with water after eating or drinking something sugary.
2.  Wait 30 minutes after the intake of sports drinks before brushing.  The acid in the drink can cause a temporary softening of the tooth surface.  The tooth is now more susceptible to abrasive wear from the toothbrush bristles and toothpaste.  Your own saliva needs some time to neutralize the acid.
3.  The use of xylitol-containing products (like gum or mints) help inhibit the growth of bacteria and can
help relieve dryness in the mouth through the increase of salivary production.
4.  And of course, get regular dental check-ups and exams.  Based on your eating habits, we at K&L Family Dental can always recommend nutritional advise, or an appropriate fluoride treatment to help preserve your teeth in the pursuit of your sport!

Please visit us at www.klfamilydental.com or call 630-653-7700 with any questions.

A Better Dental Visit

One of the things we hear over and over from our patients is that they " hate feeling numb" when they are done at the dental office.  Here at K&L Family Dental, we take great pride in staying on the leading-edge of dental technologies, materials, and techniques. That is why we use "The Wand"- a lightweight, pen-like device that eliminates injection discomfort and pain.

Studies show that 50% of people experience some anxiety when they visit the dentist and 40 million people who are classified as "dental phobics"-who avoid any kind of dental care altogether.  The Wand,also know as the STA(Single Tooth Anesthetic) , helps us deliver local anesthetic effectively, quickly, and practically painlessly.  With this revolutionary device, the flow rate is controlled by the computer to distribute the anesthetic between the ligament and the tooth.  The liquid flows around the tooth to the nerve and numbs the tooth, so that the dentist can start working right away.  No more numb lip. tongue , nose or cheek!

Many dentists don't use the technology because they don't want to take the time to learn something new and are comfortable delivering anesthetic the way they've been doing so for years.  Many dentists feel they give painless injections, and they do, but The Wand allows our patients to walk out of the office feeling just as comfortable as when he or she walked in!

Not only do our adult patients enjoy going right back to work or having a meal right after their appointment, but this technology is wonderful for our young patients.  Many young patients can have trauma from biting their lower lip or cheek while feeling numb.  Many patients are numb for hours after they leave the dental office which makes having any kind of meal or snack very difficult.  The overall dental experience is very positive for our young patients and their concerning parents.

We do have to tell our patients that for a few days after the appointment the tooth and gums around the tooth may be sore.  You may also notice that the tooth can be slightly tender to chewing for a day.  Overall, the response to the The Wand has been remarkable.  Patients love it!

One of our greatest objectives at K&L Family Dental is to ensure our patients comfort and satisfaction with every service we provide.  The Wand helps us do that. If you have any questions about the STA, or any other dental questions, please don't hesitate to call our office and visit us at www.klfamilydental.com

Your Fear of the Dentist Can Get Passed On to Your Children

 

Parents who have anxiety visiting the dentist need to keep it to themselves to avoid passing it on to your children.  According to a study by researchers from Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid, the "emotional
transmission" or fear of the dentist is passed on from parent to child.  "Along with the presence of emotional transmission of dentist fear amongst family members, we have identified the relevant role that fathers play in transmission of this phobia in comparison to the mother," the study said.  Turns out the investigators found that the father's feelings about going to the dentist play a key role in whether a mother's fear of the dentist will be passed on to their children.  The findings show the need to involve parents-especially fathers- in efforts to prevent children from fearing the dentist.

Everyone knows that children are impressionable, and many people who avoid dental care as adults recall traumatic experiences at the dentist as children.  The absence of routine dental care can cause painful infections of the teeth and gums, broken and discolored teeth, and bad breathe.  With all the new advances in dentistry, neglecting your teeth can now almost always be avoided. Our team at K&L Family Dental suggests the following to make sure your children are relaxed during their trips to the dentist.

-Make sure your dentist likes seeing children.  Patience and care is mandatory when seeing children.
-Set a good example.  Take your child with you to introduce them to the environment.  Flash them a happy, healthy smile as soon as your done!
-Read a dental book for children to better prepare them to the dental office environment.
-Children need to know how important it is to take good care of their teeth and gums, just like going to the doctor to stay healthy.  Tell them the dentist is there to make sure they have healthy teeth for the rest of their lives!
-Schedule a morning appointment when children tend to be rested and cooperative.
-NEVER bribe your child to go to the dentist or use the visit as a punishment or threat. Your child needs to understand that having their teeth checked is good for them.
-Bring children's favorite toys, music, etc. during the dental appointment.

At K&L Family Dental we encourage parents to bring their children to the dentist by age two, earlier if there is noticeable discoloration of baby teeth or if the child is signaling pain.  If dental treatment is required, we usually start with the procedure that will be easiest for the child to tolerate.  We also consider conservative treatment for children's baby teeth, so that it is less involved and takes less time.  We often use the television in our treatment room  to help children cope with the clinical setting of the dental office and distracts the child during treatment.

If you're looking for a great dental office near Winfield, IL, we always welcome new patients.  Please visit us at www.klfamilydental.com or call our office at 630-653-7700.