3 Qualities to Look for In a Toothbrush

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Your toothbrush is an important tool for keeping your teeth healthy. You’re supposed to replace your toothbrush every three months, which means that you’re given a lot of opportunities to choose a good model for your purposes. Knowing what to look for can make this task easier.

As your dentist in Tavernier, FL, we’re happy to help you narrow down the choices. We can recommend toothbrush brands and models as needed but below are some of the qualities to consider.

1. Soft Bristles

It’s tempting to choose a toothbrush with stiff, strong bristles to remove that plaque and tartar, but hard bristles can contribute to gum recession and can even wear down your tooth enamel over time.

You don’t need hard bristles to keep your teeth clean, and once your plaque has turned into tartar, no toothbrush will be able to remove it anyway. Look for a toothbrush with soft bristles. Soft bristles will do the job if you’re brushing your teeth correctly.

2. Small Head Size

Toothbrush heads come in a range of sizes because not everyone has the same-size mouth. Just keep in mind that you only need a small toothbrush head to reach your teeth. In fact, a small head can give your toothbrush greater agility. It’s easier to reach your back teeth with a small toothbrush head than a large one.

3. Easy to Hold Handle Grip

Toothbrushes can get sudsy with toothpaste and water, and that can make them slippery to hold on to. You can solve this problem by purchasing a toothbrush with a rubber grip that won’t slip easily when you’re brushing your teeth.

Have Questions? Speak With Your Dentist

If you have questions about which toothbrush to buy, ask your dentist the next time you come in for a dental exam in Tavernier, FL. Make an appointment today to get your exam on the calendar.

Why You Should Never Pull a Tooth Yourself

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Pulling a tooth may seem like the kind of thing you can do at home without the help of a dentist in Tavernier, FL. But this practice is actually quite dangerous and can cause more problems than the original bad tooth that needed to come out. These are the reasons why you should never pull a tooth yourself.

There’s More Beneath the Surface

Like the iceberg that sank the Titanic, there’s more to a tooth than what you can see above the gum line. In fact, there are more teeth below the gum line than above. Tooth roots go deep, and simply tugging at the top of the tooth with your fingers or—gasp—a pair of pliers will yield a lot more than what you anticipated. The root structure actually goes all the way to the jawbone. Pulling a tooth at home risks severe tissue and bone damage and increases the possibility of damage to abutting teeth.

Risk of Infection

When your dentist does a tooth extraction in Tavernier, FL, your oral cavity is disinfected, as are the dentist’s tools. At home, you can’t possibly disinfect the teeth, lips, and gums, which means you could introduce dangerous bacteria into your gum tissue and even into your blood system. Needless to say, this should be avoided at all costs.

Pieces Remaining

Another thing your dentist does in a professional extraction is to ensure that all the pieces of the tooth are extracted. Pieces can’t be left behind because they can continue to cause damage and raise the risk of infection.

One of the big benefits of professional tooth extraction is the use of a sedative or numbing agent. You won’t feel a thing, so why wouldn’t you choose to have it done the right way, with no pain? Contact us to book your appointment.