We talk a lot about the importance of good oral health and that includes brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist on the regular. Let’s take a deeper dive into brushing, more specifically, the tool you’re using to brush those pearly whites. You might ask yourself, “when’s the last time I changed out my toothbrush?” We often throw away old food, donate clothes, replace beauty products, etc., but adding a change into your routine to replace your toothbrush will have a bigger affect than you might think.
Related Article from The ADA: 8 bad brushing habits to break
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it’s recommended to replace your toothbrush (or brush head on an electric toothbrush) every three months – that’s right, toothbrushes have a shelf life of only three months. The longer you use a toothbrush, the less effective it is. Normal wear and tear from brushing break down the bristles and won’t remove plaque and bacteria very well. Here’s a few other things to consider:
Related Article: Prevention is Key! Let’s Talk About Preventative Dentistry for Kids
Let’s say the risk of bacteria, mold, and fungus aren’t enough to make you replace your toothbrush, there are also numerous other risks to not replacing.
We know that you’ve been brushing your teeth longer than you can remember, but are you using the Proper Brushing Technique? Review your skills by watching this short video!
Feel free to ask us during your dental checkup if we have any recommendations for the best toothbrush for you. In the meantime, look for soft bristles, a head size that can touch one or two teeth at a time, and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Also consider adding a mouthwash to your routine to further fight any bacteria and plaque, and don’t forget your favorite floss! You can also consider investing in an electric toothbrush or electric water flosser, which can improve oral health beyond regular toothbrush and floss.
Related Article: Natural Oral Hygiene Products … Are they worth the HYPE??
By protecting the health of your teeth and gums, you can keep yourself healthier too. Practice good oral hygiene daily to prevent overgrowth of oral bacteria. This includes:
The best way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease is to follow a program of good oral hygiene, one that you begin early and practice consistently throughout life.
If you notice a problem with your teeth or gums, call for an appointment right away. The sooner these are handled, the sooner you will be back to full health. Our highly skilled and gentle dentists provide general and family dentistry in the Lee’s Summit area to keep our patients healthy – including healthy teeth, healthy gums, and a healthy body. Time for your checkup? Call to schedule today and remember to replace your toothbrush!
At Premiere Dental, we are accepting new patients and offer emergency dental appointments. Look no further and give us a call today to set up a routine appointment, get help for a dental emergency, or discover more about our services.
If you’re a new patient, our website offers a convenient link to our new patient forms, along with helpful resources, including information on our dental emergency services, dental anxiety tips and tricks, and dental services we offer.
We set aside time in our schedule every day to help with dental emergencies. We want to help you the same-day or ASAP to eliminate your pain and find a solution that works for you.
Common dental emergencies include:
Here are some Dental Emergency Tips from the American Dental Association.
Related Article: Emergency Dental Care: What’s Considered a Dental Emergency
If you want to improve and maintain the health and beauty of your smile or have questions about your dental insurance benefits, please give us a call! We’d love to answer your questions and invite you in to meet Dr. Caye and his expert team!
Our team provides education focused on dental health for the entire family because it is important to Dr. Caye and his caring team of dental professionals work hard to make every dental appointment an enjoyable experience. We want all of our patients to feel comfortable visiting our office and confident that our team will help guide and support you & your family through a lifetime of beautiful, healthy smiles. We look forward to providing excellent and affordable family dental care for you and your family.
Dr. Stephan Caye and his friendly, experienced team at Premier Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Lee’s Summit, MO area. Our office is conveniently located off of Highway 50 and SE Blue Parkway. We offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Premier Dental, we provide most dental health services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal therapy, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dental care and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Please call us at (816) 600-6330 to schedule an appointment.
