The Implant Dentist in Chicago Talks to Us About: Top 11 Toothbrushing Mistakes, PART 4

This four-part article series takes a closer look at the 11 toothbrushing mistakes people frequently and unwittingly make when caring for their pearly whites.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series on the top 11 toothbrushing mistakes we should all do our very best to avoid. So far, the implant dentist in Chicago has explained the following 9 points:

Mistake # 1: Not using the correct toothbrush.

Mistake # 2: Thinking that an electric toothbrush will do all the work for you.

Mistake # 3: Not brushing correctly.

Mistake # 4: Not choosing the right bristles.

Mistake # 5: Not brushing long enough or often enough.

Mistake # 6: Brushing too hard and/or too often.

Mistake # 7: Using the same starting point every time.

Mistake # 8: Only brushing the front tooth surfaces.

Mistake # 9: Not rinsing your toothbrush afterwards.

Let’s now take a look at the two final tooth brushing mistakes...

Chicago Dental Health: Tooth brushing Mistake # 10

Not Letting Your Toothbrush Dry between Brushes

“Bacteria thrive in moist environments, so if your toothbrush doesn’t air and dry properly in between uses, it’s probably acting as a nesting ground for these micro-organisms,” explains the implant dentist in Chicago.

Here are some recommendations for toothpaste storage:

• Place your toothbrush upright in a glass so that it’s not lying in a pool of water next to the sink.
• Avoid using those airtight toothpaste caps, because they prevent moisture from evaporating off the bristles.
• Store your toothbrush in a closed medicine cabinet so that water vapor from the flushing toilet won’t settle on it.

“Moisture doesn’t only encourage bacterial growth; it can also miss-shape toothbrush bristles, which results in a less than satisfactory cleaning ability.”

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 11

Not Changing Your Toothbrush Frequently Enough

When last did you buy yourself a new toothbrush? According to Chicago dental healthcare experts, you should be replacing your toothbrush every three or four months or as soon as it starts looking frayed. You’re not very well going to keep a diary of when you change your toothbrush so a better rule of thumb is to hit the shops as soon as the bristles lose their usual flexibility and begin to break apart.

“In order to do the best possible job of cleaning your teeth, your toothbrush’s bristles should be straight and emerge at a 90° angle. A frayed toothbrush is ineffectual, so if yours has become so, it’s time to buy a new one!”

A Final Note

Brushing your teeth is a crucial component of the home oral hygiene routine that will keep your teeth in beautiful lifelong condition. While this habit tends to become second nature to us all, you should never just fly on auto-pilot while doing it. The next time you brush your teeth, pay attention to what you do and where you could improve your brushing technique. Take a closer look at your toothbrush - is it time to buy a new one? Could you be storing it better? Do you brush frequently enough? Try timing yourself to see just how long you normally brush your teeth for.

Follow the advice provided in this four-part article series by the Chicago implant dentist and you will surely reap the rewards!

Dental Implants Specialists in Chicago Talk to Us About: Top 11 Toothbrushing Mistakes, PART 3

This four-part article series takes a closer look at the 11 toothbrushing mistakes people frequently and unwittingly make when caring for their pearly whites.

Welcome to this, the third installment of our four-part article series on the top 11 toothbrushing mistakes Chicago residents commonly make. So far, we’ve looked at the first five points. We’re halfway through, so without further ado, let’s look at habits # 6, 7 and 8.

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 6

Not Brushing Correctly

“When it comes to preventing tooth decay and the various oral diseases that lead to tooth loss, your tooth brushing technique is more important than any other factor,” say dental implant specialists in Chicago. “Questions of toothbrush brand, bristles and manual versus electric are of secondary importance. If you use your toothbrush correctly, little else matters really.”

Here are some rules for correct toothbrush usage:

• Align your toothbrush at 45° to the gum line,
• Do short, circular strokes,
• Brush softly; not hard and vigorously,
• Brush both the outer and inner tooth surfaces,
• Brush your tongue, too!

Contrary to how most of us brush our teeth, you shouldn’t actually use horizontal strokes across the tooth crowns. According to Chicago dental hygienists, you should either brush up and down or use circular motions.

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 7

Using the Same Starting Point Every Time

“People tend to brush certain quadrants in the mouth more thoroughly than they do others. The back teeth definitely don’t receive the same amount of attention the front teeth do and this explains why the molars tend to succumb to dental decay first,” explain dental implants experts in Chicago. “When you brush your teeth, start in a different place every time and make sure you dedicate the same amount of effort to keeping every tooth clean.”

The rationale behind starting in a different place every time is that you don’t rush any one particular quadrant of the mouth. People tend to become bored after a while and finish up quickly. If you always start in one place and finish in another, a section of your mouth is not going to receive as much attention as the others. To remedy this, begin brushing at a different point every time.

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 8

Only Brushing the Front Tooth Surfaces

“It’s not only the front surfaces of the teeth that need a good scrubbing two to three times a day; it’s also the back surfaces! Every facet of every tooth in your mouth harbors bacteria, so every facet of every tooth in your mouth requires cleaning,” emphasize Chicago dental healthcare professionals. “Whether you can see it or feel it or not, plaque accumulates on every surface of your teeth and tongue, which is why you must be thorough in your brushing routine.”

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 9

Not Rinsing Your Toothbrush Afterwards

If you don’t rinse your toothbrush after using it, bacteria and food debris remain trapped within its bristles. The next time you use it, you’re putting all that bacteria back in your mouth. Always rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after you’ve used it. This will help flush out bacteria, food debris and leftover toothpaste.

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read about the final toothbrushing mistakes we have on our list and what dental implants Chicago specialists have to say about them, stay tuned for the final installment of our four-part article series.

Chicago Implant Dentists Talk to Us About: Top 11 Toothbrushing Mistakes, PART 2

This four-part article series takes a closer look at the 11 toothbrushing mistakes people frequently and unwittingly make when caring for their pearly whites.

Welcome back to our four-part article series on the top 11 toothbrushing mistakes. In our previous article post, Chicago implant dentists - professionals who deal with the consequences of poor oral hygiene and sloppy brushing habits - discussed the first two bad brushing habits: (1) using the wrong toothbrush and (2) thinking that an electric toothbrush will do all the work for you. In this article, the second installment of the series, we shall examine toothbrushing mistake # 3, 4 and 5.

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 3

Not Choosing the Right Bristles

Toothbrush bristles are about as varied as toothpaste brands. Every manufacturer boasts a superior angulation and arrangement of toothbrush bristles designed “to access those hard-to-reach places, leaving your teeth perfectly clean.” It’s hard to trust what the marketers have to say because they’re all saying the same thing. So what do Chicago implant dentists have to say? Is it better to have angled bristles or straight bristles?

“Bristle angulation doesn’t matter. What does matter is a brusher’s technique. You shouldn’t agonize over which toothbrush brand is the very best. Rather, focus on how you use it. You should also be aware of other factors, such as bristle hardness, when buying a toothbrush. The American Dental Association recommends a soft to medium-bristled toothbrush because harder bristles can actually erode away dental enamel and irritate the gums.

And as for natural bristled toothbrushes, such as those made from boar hair or other animal hair.

“We simply can’t recommend these products,” say Chicago implant dentist. “Much research and development has gone in to the manufacturing of modern toothbrushes. They are designed specifically for oral care and hygiene maintenance. While there may not be much difference between the variety of manufactured toothbrush bristles, they certainly are a cut above bristles made from animal hair.”

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 4

Not Brushing Long Enough or Often Enough

Most people brush their teeth twice a day and while this is the recommended frequency, three times a day is optimal. The longer you wait between brushes, the longer oral bacteria are given a chance to multiply and proliferate. This increases your risk of developing cavities, gum inflammation and bad breath.

The amount of time you dedicate to a brushing session is also extremely important. Unfortunately, many patients only spend 30 seconds brushing their teeth. “The recommended time is two minutes,” say Chicago implant dentist. “You should brush your teeth for two minutes at a time, or even longer. The longer you spend, the more thorough you’ll be, which reduces your chance of developing cavities, tooth decay and gum disease and all the associated symptoms.”

Try this trick! The next time you brush your teeth, distract yourself with another task so that you get a full two or three minutes’ worth in. Try brushing your teeth in front of the TV or while listening to the radio. You could even flip through a magazine. Multi-tasking takes your mind off what you’re doing, so that you do it for longer without getting impatient. Just remember to dedicate at least 30 seconds per quadrant of the mouth!

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 5

Brushing too Hard and/or too Often

“The flipside to good oral hygiene is that you can actually go overboard,” warn Chicago implant dentists. “Excessive toothbrushing can actually force the gums to recede from the crowns of the teeth exposing the tooth roots underneath. It can also irritate the gums and lead to the hastened erosion of the dental enamel. Don’t become obsessive and don’t press down too hard when brushing.”

What Chicago dental healthcare professionals advise patients to do is to brush gently for two or three minutes, three times a day. If you want to freshen up in between brushes, try an ADA-approved anti-bacterial mouthwash.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To find out more about the common toothbrushing mistakes we make and what the Chicago dental healthcare professionals have to say about them, stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series.

Chicago Dental Health News: Top 11 Toothbrushing Mistakes, PART 1

This four-part article series takes a closer look at the 11 toothbrushing mistakes people frequently and unwittingly make when caring for their pearly whites.

Brushing your teeth is a habit that becomes second nature to most if not all of us. You do it everyday, hopefully twice a day, and as a result one tends to pay little attention to the technique and ritual that goes into it. The dangers of becoming sloppy with a habit as important as toothbrushing includes cavities, tooth decay and even tooth loss, which is why it’s important to take a step back and reassess. In this four-part article series, Chicago dental healthcare professionals will be talking to us about the top 11 toothbrushing mistakes patients commonly make.

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 1

Not Using the Correct Toothbrush

Just take a walk down the dental healthcare aisle of your local supermarket or pharmacy. The sheer number and variety of toothbrushes is astounding! They seem to come in a spectacular multitude of brands, colors, shapes, sizes and bristle hardness... how do you even go about choosing the best one? We asked Chicago dental healthcare professionals and here’s what they had to say:

“There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to choosing the right toothbrush. Literally. When choosing a toothbrush, make sure you opt for one that fits comfortable in your mouth and can reach every single tooth without compromise. People with smaller mouths should choose smaller, slimmer toothbrushes and vice versa. You should never find yourself straining your jaws to reach your back-most teeth.

“Other factors to consider are handle grip and comfort. If you struggle to hold and control your toothbrush while brushing, you’re not going to do as thorough a job as you should. Imagine trying to eat peas with a soapy fork... you’re likely to give up halfway through! Your toothbrush should have a good grip so that you can control it while brushing every tooth in your mouth.

“Comfort has a psychological aspect to it as well,” explain Chicago dental health experts. “If brushing is a tricky, slippery exercise, you’ll be less likely to do it for a decent amount of time or frequency.”

Chicago Dental Health: Toothbrushing Mistake # 2

Thinking That an Electric Toothbrush will do all the Work for You

Many people believe that electric toothbrushes are better and more thorough in their ability to keep their teeth clean. There is some variation in dentists’ opinion on this matter, but the consensus is that if you brush your teeth well with an electric toothbrush, you’ll do just as well with a manual one.

“It’s not about the toothbrush. It’s about the brusher,” say Chicago dental hygienists. “Some patients mistakenly believe that an electric toothbrush will do all the work for them, so they don’t brush as long as they should and even neglect to do other essential hygienic measures, namely flossing. An electric toothbrush is an alternative to a manual toothbrush. It does not replace flossing. And just because the head rotates and brushes faster than your hand, doesn’t mean that you cut your brushing time down either.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out more about the common toothbrushing mistakes we make and what the implant dentist in Chicago has to say about them, stay tuned for the second installment of this four-part article series.

Advice From the Chicago Implant Dentist: Are You Wrecking Your Teeth? PART 2

This two-part article series explores 10 habits that could be doing irreversible damage to your teeth and could lead to tooth loss in the long-term.

Welcome back to our two-part article series on the seemingly innocent habits and behaviors that could be destroying your oral health and hygiene. In Part 1 of the series, we discussed the following advice from our Chicago implant dentist:

1. Don’t chew ice,
2. Drink water instead of juice, soda and energy drinks,
3. Drink tap, spring or mineral water, not filtered water,
4. Don’t play contact sports without a mouth guard,
5. Floss every single day!

Let’s find out what some more of those habits and behaviors are so that we can answer the question: Are you wrecking your teeth?

Let’s find out!

Advice from the Implant Dentist in Chicago # 6: Ignoring Bleeding Gums

Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT normal for your gums to bleed when you brush them. Either you are brushing them too vigorously, or pressing down too hard, or the gums have become weakened by a bacterial infection. That’s right, bleeding gums may be a sign of gingivitis or even periodontal (gum) disease, an advanced oral bacterial infection of the soft tissue surrounding the teeth. Try to be gentler when brushing your teeth and if your gums still tear, book an appointment with your implant dentist in Chicago!

Advice from the Chicago Implant Dentist # 7: Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching

The modern lifestyle is incredibly stressful and one of the ways we sub-consciously express this tension is to clench our jaws and grind our teeth. It may seem innocent enough, but over the years, this can put an incredible amount of stress on the biting surface of the teeth. In the long term, teeth grinding (Bruxism) can wear the dental enamel right down to the softer dentine underneath. Jaw clenching can cause temporomandibular joint disorders, as well as fracturing and cracking of the teeth. The cure? Less stress! In the meanwhile, get a mouth guard fitted and wear it at night to prevent sleep grinding from destroying your pearly whites.

Advice from the Implant Dentist in Chicago # 8: Over-indulging in Booze

Most of us enjoy the occasional tipple, but one must always be wary of quantity and frequency. Alcoholic beverages tend to be acidic and high in sugar, which creates a favorable environment for bacteria and tooth decay. Additionally, over-indulging in alcohol tends to be linked with other habits that are terrible for your teeth, such as smoking and unhealthy eating. And when you stumble in at 4am, who really has the energy (or physical co-ordination) to brush their teeth, right?

Advice from the Chicago Implant Dentist # 9: Chewing Tobacco

If you think you’re avoiding the health risks associated with enjoying tobacco by chewing it rather than smoking it, think again. Nicotine and the many other toxic chemicals in tobacco stain your teeth and irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed and swollen. Tobacco also causes dry mouth, gum disease and oral cancer.

A Final Note from the Chicago Implant Dentist

By avoiding all the seemingly innocent habits and behaviors described in this two-part series, in addition to the more obvious dental sins (smoking, poor oral hygiene, drug abuse and avoiding the dentist), you really can keep your teeth and gums in excellent lifelong condition. Don’t curse your ignorance at a later stage in life... be aware of the risks to your oral health and avoid them!