The goal of brushing is to remove plaque. Plaque is a soft yellow or white deposit that contains bacteria and builds up everyday on teeth. It is found mostly around the gumline and between teeth. Bacteria in the plaque will feed on the foods you eat and break them down into acid. This acid attacks teeth and gums, causing decay and gum disease
Plaque buildup that does not get removed within 24 to 48 hours will mineralize and turn into tartar. Tartar is the yellowish-white or yellowish-brown hard deposit that cannot be removed with brushing. The only way to remove tartar is with sharp dental scalers that your dentist or hygienist uses when you go in for your dental cleaning.
Since the main purpose of brushing is to remove the soft plaque deposits, a soft toothbrush is all you need. A medium or hard bristle toothbrush will NOT be more effective at removing plaque. In fact, scrubbing away with a hard or medium bristle will only strip away enamel, root surface, and gum tissue, causing toothbrush abrasion and sensitivity, and gum recession. In contrast, an extra soft toothbrush will be gentle on the teeth and gums and remove plaque effectively with the proper brushing technique.
The next time you visit your dentist, ask for a demonstration of proper brushing technique. I always recommend angling the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle toward the gumline, and using short strokes back and forth. The best extra-soft toothbrush that I have found on the market is from Nimbus dental, and no, they did not pay me to say that. You can order directly from the company at www.nimbusdental.com. However, many other companies make very good extra-soft toothbrushes as well.
It is important to note that no matter how well you brush, there will be certain areas that no toothbrush can reach, and that is why it is important to floss. And that is a topic that requires a separate discussion of its own, so look out for that blog in the near future…
Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
www.elitesacramentodentist.com
January 26, 2010
