Choosing the right toothbrush helps to clean your teeth and gums properly, but after choosing one, you need to take proper care of it for it to function at its best. Keeping up with your oral health starts with choosing the right toothbrush for your needs. Mountain View Dental knows that with so many options, it can be difficult to navigate which option is right for you.

If you have questions about what toothbrush is right for you, speak with your dentist, and read through this blog to determine what issues you may need to treat. Taking proper care of the right brush helps to improve your oral health too. 

Toothbrushes For The Ages

There are different sizes and shapes of toothbrushes for different age groups. Children of different ages will need different toothbrushes and bristle types and adults may need bigger toothbrushes. 

Baby teeth start to emerge at a young age. You can get a baby gum brush to help them get used to the sensation of a brush in their mouth. As children grow, they will need a new toothbrush at each stage. While soft bristles will always be the right choice, the length, and size of brushes get bigger. 

Adults may think that as we get older, harder bristles are required, but soft bristles clean your teeth with just the right amount of pressure. For those with sensitive teeth, there are specific brushes that can help lessen the discomfort you may feel when brushing. 

Manual or Electric?

There are positive aspects to both manual and electric toothbrushes. Brushing your teeth correctly, for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, the type of brush does not matter. For those who have limited movement or who tend to brush too hard, an electric brush could be more beneficial for you. 

Electric toothbrushes also have timers that alert you when you have brushed for two minutes. This can help improve your brushing or for kids who may struggle to brush for the full two minutes. 

Bristle Types

No matter the bristle type, you will want to make sure that your toothbrush has soft bristles. Having a soft bristle helps to prevent tooth and gum damage from brushing too hard or having stiff bristles. 

Choosing anything other than soft bristles should only be done if your dentist has recommended a medium or stiff bristle brush. These harder bristles don’t remove plaque any better than soft bristles. 

Store Upright

Once you have found a new toothbrush, you will want to store it in an upright position, out in the open. This allows the bristles to air dry and keep bacteria from growing. Avoid putting a cap on your toothbrush until it is completely dry to stop moisture from collecting and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.

Rinsing

Each time you brush your teeth, using warm water to rinse your toothbrush can clean bacteria from between your bristles. Toothbrushes are meant to clean your teeth and remove food plaque from your mouth, but leaving these elements on our toothbrushes can keep them from truly cleaning your teeth. 

Replace Every Three To Four Months

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If you have an electric toothbrush, you can replace just the head of your brush. Replacing your toothbrush ensures that the bristles do not get too spread out and clean your teeth properly. If you have been sick or had an oral disease you should replace it sooner. 

Mountain View Dental

Here at Mountain View Dental, we want all patients to have the right tools and resources to take care of their oral health. Our dentists and hygienists want to answer your questions and give you instructions on how to best care for your teeth. If you have questions about toothbrushes, gum care, or brushing tips, we can help show you the best methods for brushing. 

We work to provide the best oral health possible to patients in Pleasant View. Our staff takes care of patients of all ages and works to solve issues calmly and efficiently. We are part of the Utah Dental Association and an American Dental Association Member. Contact our office in Pleasant View today!

Many adults suffer from chronic jaw pain and facial pain. Some symptoms include pain around the ear, tenderness of the jaw, pain when biting or headaches. While many things can cause this pain, it can often be hard to diagnose and treat. Here are some common causes and what to do to relieve the pain.

Sinus Problems

The sinuses are air filled cavities located close to the jaw joint. If your sinuses are infected with a virus or bacterium you can have excess mucus that puts pressure on the jaw joint, thus causing the jaw pain. For the pain, over the counter pain relievers can help to ease the pain. If your sinuses are infected, you can also relieve this problem by visiting your doctor to get antibiotics to dissipate the infection.

Infections

An infection called Osteomyelitis affects the temporomandibular joint in your jaw. When this infection can cause fever or facial swelling. Antibiotics can resolve the infection but this condition can cause part of the jawbone to die if not handled correctly. 

Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can lead to tension, tooth grinding and jaw clenching. These can cause damage, uneven wear to the surface of your teeth. This causes uneven pressure on your joints of the jawbone. Limiting stress or finding a solution for your anxiety can help solve some of the discomfort in your jaw. Over the counter pain relievers can also help here to temporarily limit the ache in your jaw.

Tooth Grinding 

Grinding your teeth in your sleep can be an unknown cause. Many people don’t even know that they have this nightly habit until they wake up with jaw pain. Walking up with a stiff jaw could mean that you are a grinder. Grinding your teeth can cause more than just jaw pain, it can cause tooth sensitivity and worn tooth enamel. Grinding your teeth can also cause tension headaches, which can lead to more pain. Visiting your dentist who can provide you a night guard that will help relieve the pressure on your jaw and protect your teeth. 

Arthritis 

Arthritis in the jaw can produce symptoms of TMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder. The progression and severity of TMJ can depend on the arthritis involved. Some of the symptoms of this include chronic inflammation, cartilage deterioration and restriction of movement in the jaw. Catching arthritis early can help the prognosis. In order to diagnose this a dentist or doctor will need to complete an X-ray or a CT scan to look at your jaw bones and joint tissue. 

Mountain View Dental Can Help

No matter your symptoms, Mountain View Dental can help you with your jaw pain with a free consultation and diagnosis. Taking X-rays will be billed to your insurance, but we would love to help you get the relief you need. Getting dental or medical treatment can help keep you from experiencing tooth loss or jaw decay. We want to give you the best care possible and help relive your pain and get back to your normal life.

Not only do we provide diagnosis, we provide general dentistry and orthodontic treatment. We are here to serve your whole family. We take children and adults alike. Located in Pleasant View, Mountain View Dental is happy to serve you and your family. Check out our website and our FAQ page for more information.