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How To Choose The Right Toothbrush
Choosing the Right Toothbrush
What Type of Toothbrush Should I Use?
With so many shapes, sizes and styles of toothbrushes on the market, deciding which kind to buy can be confusing. Here’s what you should look for:
- Most dental professionals, including Dr. Sonny Aryan, San Diego dentist agrees that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth
- When it comes to the type of handle (such as non-slip grip or flexible neck), shape of the head (tapered or rectangular) and style of bristles (such as rippled, flat or trimmed to a dome shape), pick whatever is most comfortable for you. The best toothbrush is one that fits your mouth and allows you to reach all teeth easily
- For many, a powered toothbrush is a good alternative. It can do a better job of cleaning teeth, particularly for those who have difficulty brushing or who have limited manual dexterity
The type of toothbrush your child uses is important because the wrong kind can be damaging to soft tissues. Regardless of your child’s age, his or her toothbrush should have soft nylon bristles. Harder bristles can cause gums to wear away over time. When your child is an infant, the toothbrush should be very small. As he or she grows, select small toothbrushes that can fit easily in the mouth and brush one or two teeth at a time. Your child’s toothbrush should be able to reach all the teeth, including the molars in the very back.
How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?
Replace toothbrushes about every four months or when they begin to look worn and frayed. If a toothbrush wears out much sooner than three or four months, you or your child may be using too much pressure. It’s also a good idea to replace brushes after your child has had a cold or other illness to prevent re-infection.
Other Ways To Clean Between The Teeth
Dr. Aryan, top San Diego, dentist says that “In addition to flossing, here are additional ways to clean between the teeth.”
To supplement your at-home brushing and flossing, your San Diego dentist or hygienist may suggest one or more of the following:
- Interdental cleaners – These cleaners work better than floss for people who have large spaces between their teeth. Some look like tiny brushes. Others look like three-sided, wide toothpicks. These cleaners also work well in people who have braces or missing teeth, and in people who have had gum surgery. You can find them at most grocery stores and drugstores.
- Oral irrigators – These are electrical devices. They pump water in a steady or pulsating stream. They do not seem to remove plaque that is attached to the tooth. But they are great for flushing out food and debris in pockets between teeth, or in braces. They also are used to deliver medicine to hard-to-reach areas. For example, prescription rinses can be sprayed into gum pockets with an oral irrigator.
- Interdental tips – These flexible rubber nibs are used to clean between the teeth and just below the gum line. Plaque and bits of food can be removed by gently running the tip along the gum line.
- Mouthwashes and rinses – As with toothpaste, your choice of mouthwash or rinse will be guided by your mouth care needs. Over-the-counter rinses can freshen the breath, add fluoride or kill the bacteria that cause gingivitis. Some mouthwashes are designed to help loosen plaque before you brush. Ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend the rinse that would be best for you. If you need to avoid alcohol, read ingredient labels carefully. Many over-the-counter mouthwashes contain high amounts of alcohol. In some cases, your dentist might prescribe a stronger fluoride or antibacterial rinse for you.
If you have any questions about tooth cleaning, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Aryan, San Diego dentist.
How to Floss Your Teeth
Flossing
Many people never learned to floss as children. Dr. Aryan, San Diego dentist says that flossing is critical to healthy gums and it’s never too late to start. A common rule of thumb says that any new habit becomes second nature after only three weeks. If you have questions, ask your San Diego dentist or dental hygienist to give you a lesson.
Here are a few general pointers about flossing:
- Floss once a day &— Most dentists recommend flossing at least once a day. If you tend to get food trapped between teeth, you can floss more often.
- Take your time &— Don’t rush.
- Choose your own time &— Most people find that just before bed is an ideal time to floss. But it’s best to find the time that’s most convenient for you. That way, you are more likely to floss regularly.
- Don’t skimp on the floss &— Use as much floss as you need to clean both sides of every tooth with a fresh section. In fact, you may need to floss one tooth several times (using fresh sections of floss) to remove all the food. Some professionals think that reusing sections of floss may move bacteria from one tooth to another.
- Choose the type that works best for you &— There are many types of floss: waxed and unwaxed, flavored and unflavored, ribbon and thread. Try a few before you settle on one to use every day. Waxed floss works better in people with very closely spaced teeth. Tougher, shred-resistant varieties of floss work well for people with rough tooth edges.
How To Floss
Hold the floss in whatever way you prefer. The most common method is to wind the floss around your middle fingers. Then pull it tight and guide it with your index fingers. You also can wind it around your index fingers and guide it with your thumb and middle fingers. Some people just hold the ends of the floss, or use a floss-guiding tool. (If you have a fixed bridge, a bridge threader can help guide floss under the bridge for better cleaning.)
How you hold the floss is not as important as what you do with it. If you can’t settle on a good method, ask your dentist or hygienist for suggestions.
- Hold the floss so that a short segment is ready to work with.
- Guide the floss gently between two teeth. If the fit is tight, use a back-and-forth motion to work the floss through the narrow spot. Do not snap the floss; you could cut your gums.
- Hold the floss around the front and back of one tooth, making it into a “C” shape. This will wrap the floss around the side edge of that tooth.
- Gently move the floss toward the base of the tooth and into the space between the tooth and gum.
- Move the floss up and down with light to firm pressure to skim off plaque from the tooth. Do not press so hard that you injure the gum.
- Repeat for all sides of the tooth, including the outermost side of the last tooth. Advance the floss to a clean segment for each tooth edge.
Contact your San Diego dentist if you have any questions about flossing your teeth or other dental problems.
How to Brush Your Teeth
Get tooth brushing tips from Dr. Aryan, San Diego dentist.
Below is the modified Bass brushing technique you may not be familiar with.
- Hold the toothbrush sideways against your teeth with some of the bristles touching your gums.
Tilt the brush so the bristles are pointing at your gum line. - Move the brush back and forth, using short strokes. The tips of the bristles should stay in one place, but the head of the brush should wiggle back and forth. You also can make tiny circles with the brush. This allows the bristles to slide gently under the gum. Do this for about 20 strokes or 20 circles. In healthy gums, this type of brushing should cause no pain. If it hurts, brush more gently.
- Roll or flick the brush so that the bristles move out from under the gum toward the biting edge of the tooth. This helps move the plaque out from under the gum line.
- Repeat for every tooth, on the insides and outsides.
- On the insides of your front teeth, it can be hard to hold the brush sideways. So hold it vertically instead. Use the same gentle back-and-forth or circular brushing action. Finish with a roll or flick of the brush toward the biting edge.
- To clean the biting or chewing surfaces of the teeth, hold the brush so the bristles are straight down on those surfaces.
- Gently move the brush back and forth or in tiny circles to clean the entire surface. Move to a new tooth or area until all teeth are cleaned.
- Rinse with water.
- You can clear even more bacteria out of your mouth by brushing your tongue. Brush firmly but gently from back to front. Do not go so far back in your mouth that you gag. Rinse again.
Contact Dentist Pacific Beach if you have questions about how to brush your teeth or other dental questions.
What Is Good Dental Hygiene?
Find out what Dr. Aryan, San Diego dentist says about dental hygiene.
Good oral hygiene results in a mouth that looks and smells healthy. This means:
- Your teeth are clean and free of debris
- Gums are pink and do not hurt or bleed when you brush or floss
- Bad breath is not a constant problem
If your gums do hurt or bleed while brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing persistent bad breath, see your dentist. Any of these conditions may indicate a problem.
Your dentist or hygienist can help you learn good oral hygiene techniques and can help point out areas of your mouth that may require extra attention during brushing and flossing.
How is Good Oral Hygiene Practiced?
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being.
Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop and is much less painful, expensive, and worrisome than treating conditions that have been allowed to progress.
In between regular visits to the dentist, there are simple steps that anyone can take to greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems. These include:
- Brushing thoroughly twice a day and flossing daily
- Eating a balanced diet and limiting snacks between meals
- Using dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
- Rinsing with a fluoride mouth rinse if your dentist tells you to
- Making sure that your children under 12 drink fluoridated water or take a fluoride supplement if they live in a non-fluoridated area.
Taking these steps will greatly decrease the risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease and other dental problems.
Don’t forget to get a regular checkout from your San Diego dentist either!
How To Take Care of Your Teeth
San Diego dentists provide tips on how to take care of your teeth
Teeth for a Lifetime
Thanks to better at-home care and in-office dental treatments, more people are keeping their teeth throughout their lives. Some diseases and conditions can make dental disease and tooth loss more likely. But most of us have a good deal of control over whether we keep our teeth into old age.
The most important thing you can do is to brush and floss your teeth each day.
Most mouth woes are caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria, bits of food and other organic matter that forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque make acids that cause cavities. Plaque also leads to periodontal (gum) disease. This can become a serious infection. It can damage bone and destroy the tissues around your teeth.
The best defense is to remove plaque before it has a chance to build up and cause problems. Brushing removes plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and from just under the gums. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth. You also can use other tools to keep your mouth and teeth clean.
Brushing
Most of us learned to brush our teeth when we were children. We have stuck with the same brushing technique into adulthood. Unfortunately, many of us learned how to brush the wrong way. And even if we learned the right way, we might not always stick to it. Brushing correctly is tricky. You want to remove plaque without brushing too hard and damaging your gums.
There are different ways to brush correctly. Your San Diego dentist can show you the method that might be best for you.
Waiting to Take Care of Tooth Caries, Tooth Decay or Cavities Will Cause Bigger Problems
Here are some recommendations from San Diego dentists at Dentists Pacific Beach about taking care of tooth caries, tooth decay and tooth cavities.
If your teeth are sensitive to sweet foods or hot and cold temperatures, don’t put off a visit to your dentist and don’t want wait till the cavity gets larger. Postponing a visit to a dental office will cause bigger problems.
Dental caries is the medical term for tooth decay or cavities. They are caused by acid erosion of tooth enamel.xx
- Between teeth
- Around dental fillings or bridgework
- Near the gum line
Some of the plaque bacteria convert sugar and carbohydrates (starches) in the foods we eat into acids. These acids dissolve minerals in the surface of the tooth. This erodes the enamel or creates pits in it that are too small to see at first. But they get larger over time.
The damage can occur anywhere the tooth is exposed to plaque and acid. This includes the hard outer enamel on the tooth crown or parts of the root that have been exposed because of receding gums. Once decay penetrates the protective enamel, it can enter the softer, vulnerable dentin. This is the main body of the tooth. A cavity can even penetrate the soft tooth pulp and the sensitive nerve fibers within it.
No one really knows what causes the pain people get with cavities. Theories include:
- Inflammation caused by bacteria
- Exposure of the root surface
- Imbalance of fluid levels in tiny openings called tubules inside the dentin
Early caries may not have any symptoms. Later, when the decay has eaten through the enamel, the teeth may be sensitive to sweet foods or to hot and cold temperatures.
A dentist will look for dental caries at each office visit. This will be part of the exam, whether it’s a routine visit or an appointment made because of pain. The dentist will look at your teeth and will probe them with a tool called an explorer to look for pits or areas of damage. X-rays will be taken on a set schedule, or if the dentist suspects hidden caries.
The standard treatment for a cavity is to fill the tooth. First, the dentist will numb the area. Then he will remove the decayed material in the cavity and fill the cavity with a filling. Dental fillings are usually made of dental amalgam or composite resin. Gold inlay may be used if greater strength is needed, but this is more expensive.
If a cavity is large, the remaining tooth may not be able to support the amount of filling material that would be needed to repair it. In this case, the dentist will remove the decay, fill the cavity, and cover the tooth with an artificial crown.
Sometimes the part of the tooth you can see remains relatively intact, but there is damage inside the tooth. In these cases, the dentist may refer you to a dental specialist called an endodontist for root canal treatment. The endodontist removes the tooth’s pulp and replaces it with an inert material. In most cases, after a root canal treatment, the tooth’s natural crown will need to be replaced with an artificial crown.
If you have discomfort, pain or are sensitive to sweet foods or to hot and cold temperatures, go see your San Diego dentists immediately before the problem gets worse.
Dental Sedation Eliminates Dental Anxiety and Dental Pain
San Diego Pacific Beach Dentist says that Dental sedation can be very effective to eliminate dental anxiety and dental pain.
Dental sedation techniques are often used for emergency dental services and a variety of dental services.
Pacific Beach Dentists can introduce painkillers, dental sedatives and other drugs to their patients to eliminate anxiety and pain. Using different dental sedation techniques allows professional Pacific Beach San Diego dentists to provide treatment to many people that would otherwise not be impossible. Without sedation techniques, many dental procedures would be too painful and patients would not go to dentists to get the dental care they need. Dental sedation can be very important for the treatment of some patients, including small children and people with disabilities.
Emotion and pain during dental procedure can be removed by using both psychological and pharmacological techniques. In some situations, it is sufficient to use psychological interventions. In most situations pharmacological approaches are required.
San Diego Dentists at Pacific Beach Dentists use local anesthetics to control regional pain. Sedative drugs and dental techniques can control the level of fear and excitement, but by themselves can’t ensure complete removal of pain; however, they are usually used in combination with drugs for local anesthesia. General anesthesia eliminates both anxiety and pain.
The American Dental Association fully supports the right of dentists with the right professional skills to use sedation techniques to treat patients. Using the techniques of conscious dental sedation, deep sedation and general dental anesthesia is safe and effective under normal use by dental specialists who have received appropriate training. Our Pacific Beach, San Diego Dentists are fully trained and qualified to provide dental sedation and anesthesia techniques with high levels of security.
https://www.dentistpacificbeach.com are experts in general dentistry, emergency dental and dental sedation to relieve your dental pain.
Talk to Dr. Aryan, san diego dentist about dental sedation
Gum Disease, Gingivitis and Periodontitis
Gum Disease, Gingivitis and Periodontitis Can Cause Serious Health Problems
Dr. Sonny Aryan, San Diego Pacific Beach Dentist explains howGum Disease, Gingivitis and Periodontitis can cause serious health problems.
One’s patient testimonial:
“I just had a deep cleaning on three quadrants by San Diego Dentist, Dr. Sonny Aryan. If you are told you need it, it’s because they need to get beneath the gums where you cannot reach with dental floss or toothbrush and where your regular hygienist usually doesn’t go when you get your teeth cleaned biannually. It didn’t hurt for me. In fact, I felt like my gums were getting massaged, and I liked that feeling. If your gums/teeth are more sensitive than mine, you can get anesthetic applied. It may take a little longer. I would definitely recommend doing it to guard against further decay and gum disease. If you don’t do it, you take the risk of bacteria continuing to build, possible inflammation and tenderness, and then your body’s immune system reacting to the presence of bacteria. I have also had periodontal surgery, and you don’t want to go there!”
What are Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Gum disease is manifested in two forms:
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease, causing an inflammation and some bleeding of the gums caused by plaque buildup at the gum line. Gingivitis causes gum inflammation but no bone loss. Periodontitis is the second stage where the supporting bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place are damaged causing bone damage and loss.
The Progression of Gum Disease
Periodontitis is a common complaint affecting approximately 50% of U.S. adults over the age of 30 years. It occurs in people who have preexisting gingivitis which is caused by the accumulation of bacteria at the gum line (dental plaque). Your gums may begin to form a pocket below the gum line which traps food and plaque. If left untreated, plaque calcifies to form dental calculus.
Dental calculus must be removed completely to treat gingivitis and periodontitis. Proper dental treatment and improved home care can usually help prevent further damage. If left untreated, bone supporting your teeth can be destroyed, causing your teeth to shift or loosen.
Top San Diego Dentist Dr. Sonny Aryan uses the following services and technologies to treat gum disease:
Cavitron ultrasonic instrumentation – We use the most modern ultrasonic equipment available to remove plaque buildup quickly and comfortably.
Soft tissue therapy – Dr. Sonny Aryan, Top San Diego dentist has been thoroughly trained to remove the bacterial ridden plaque and tartar deposits that colonize the roots during periodontal disease. This is the key to eliminating periodontal disease.
Why is deep tooth cleaning needed?
When there are deep pockets along the tooth roots due to bone recession it is impossible for the patient to properly clean and keep the gum tissue free of inflammation. A deep cleaning is necessary to remove the inflammation and debris and sometimes this will be done prior to gum surgery.
Prevention of Gum Disease
Daily oral hygiene is vital in preventing the onset and growth of gum disease. Brushing and flossing are vital in keeping teeth free from plaque-generating bacteria.
Contact Dr. Sonny Aryan, your San Diego dentist for periodontal and gum treatment.
Plaque Removal Prevents Dental Caries
Plaque removal is very important in preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases. But what is dental plaque? It is a bacterial film that adheres to the tooth surface or denture, resulting in the development of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
San Diego Dentist recommends removing plaque to stop dental caries and periodontal diseases. Plaque can be removed from the tooth surface by both mechanical and chemical means. Mechanical plaque control can be done using a tooth brush and inter-dental cleaning equipment while dental scaling and polishing can also remove dental plaque. The chemical method of plaque removal can be done using anti plague agents and antimicrobial agents. Anti plague agents are in the form of liquids and paste that remove plaque when applied on the tooth.
Tips for Cleaning Teeth
San Diego Dentist recommends cleaning your teeth by brushing twice a day: once in the morning and once before going to bed is enough to prevent plaque retention. Use a soft bristle tooth brush and fluoride tooth paste to brush your teeth. Fluoride containing tooth paste prevents dental caries formation in areas where the tooth brush can’t reach.
The amount of plaque removed from the tooth doesn’t depend on which tooth paste you’re using but depends on the brushing technique. Brush all surfaces of your teeth properly, clean inside and outside surfaces thoroughly and finally brush the chewing surfaces. Take at least 5 to 10 minutes to brush your teeth and change your tooth brush after every 3 to 6 months as using it for a long time reduces the cleaning efficiency.
San Diego Dentist recommends flossing your teeth daily to stop plaque from forming between teeth. Applying some toothpaste on the dental floss will produce excellent results. Waxed dental floss is better as it prevents injuries to the gums which cause bleeding.
Cleaning Teeth and Children
Start cleaning the baby’s teeth as soon as they appear in the mouth. Clean baby’s teeth with a damp clean cloth and wipe on the tooth surface. Those children who drink bottle milk have more chances of dental caries, so their teeth should be cleaned before going to bed. Do not use toothpaste before 18 months of age.
Saliva normally protects the teeth but its production drops at night. So it is particularly important to clean teeth well after the last food or drink of the day.
Unfortunately, cleaning teeth can be a battle when it comes to dealing with toddlers. Children consume lot of candy and require maintaining good hygiene when compared to adults. We can make brushing an exciting activity for kids by letting them shop for their own brush and tooth paste. There are a wide range of children’s tooth brushes available, including some based on cartoon characters and others that change color.
San Diego Dentist recommends using a tooth paste suitable for small children and trying different flavors. For example many children dislike peppermint and other strong flavors. Create a game out of it like pretend their mouth is a tunnel and the brush is a train, or sing a funny song. Reward them after they brush their teeth and brushing will automatically becomes a habit later.
Parents need to supervise the use of toothpaste and tooth brushing by their young children. Children need to be assisted while brushing until they are 8 to 9 years old. When children start using toothpaste, it’s better to use fluoride tooth paste which prevents dental caries. Only a smear of toothpaste (the size of a pea or less) should be put onto the toothbrush. The child should be assisted with the tooth paste otherwise they may swallow it. Keep toothpaste tubes out of the reach of children.
No matter how tired you are at night, it is important to clean your teeth before going to bed.
Contact your San Diego dentist to remove plaque and prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases.
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- Tooth Extraction
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