At the office of Paul D. Nifong, Jr., DDS, we understand that everyone wants to take good care of their teeth. However, we also know that not everyone has received good information on how to do that effectively. In this article, we will go over some of the dental care questions that our patients ask us most frequently so that you can get those answers too. If you have a question that this article doesn’t cover, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
- What type of toothbrush should I use? Brushing your teeth is a key part of practicing good dental care, but some brushes provide better results than others. We recommend using a soft-bristled brush, as firm bristles can damage the enamel. Both powered and manual toothbrushes can clean teeth effectively, but ones with angled or mixed-height bristles typically provide a more thorough clean.
- When should I replace my toothbrush? You should replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, or even sooner if the bristles start to get bent or splayed out.
- Do I really have to floss? Yes, you really do have to floss your teeth. Your toothbrush can’t get into the spaces between your teeth or under your gum line, so it’s necessary to floss in order to prevent plaque and tartar from building up in these areas. If you have trouble with this part of dental care, you can switch to flossers to make it easier to reach those back teeth.