Gum disease is often caused by improper brushing techniques and hard brush bristles. People who prefer stiff-bristled toothbrushes often use force, even if they brush in small circular motions, as dentists recommend, rather than back and forth along the surface of the teeth.

For example, young people harm their gums by using a toothbrush with hard bristles. This is all the more dangerous because they are confident that they are brushing their teeth and gums correctly. They pay great attention to oral hygiene and, therefore, can cause damage to the sulci (gum lines) because they brush their teeth too often and too vigorously with a very hard-bristled brush.

Hard bristles increase excess pressure when brushing your teeth.

Brushing your teeth too vigorously, whether with a medium-hard or hard bristle brush, can potentially harm your gums without causing immediate discomfort. But as a result, the consequences will be disastrous: the groove deepens, the gum line slowly descends, and, over time, the neck of the teeth is exposed, and high sensitivity to pain appears.

Dentists in research, teaching, and practice recommend toothbrushes with soft and fine bristles. If the bristles of the brush are soft, then it will not cause any harm. If, in addition, the bristles are thin, then the grooves of the teeth are easily accessible, and such a brush carefully eliminates harmful bacteria. This is important since many bacteria accumulate in inaccessible places that can be easily damaged.

Soft bristle toothbrush: what are its advantages?

You should try to remember one fundamental thing: oral hygiene is essential to maintaining good oral health and avoiding problems related to poor hygiene. In the pursuit of resolving fundamental dental issues, the utilization of a toothbrush with soft bristles emerges as a captivating solution and a promising first step. It’s essential to note, as a starting point, that the primary issues involve tooth decay and gum difficulties, particularly gingivitis.

Here are the keys to making your oral cleaning an effective and efficient process, even if you have decided to buy and use a soft-bristle electric toothbrush.

Recommendations for toothbrush hardness

As it is widely acknowledged, the toothbrush stands as an essential instrument for maintaining oral health. Numerous options abound in the market, such as the gentle bristle dental implement. Toothbrushes from multiple brands and in various shapes and hardnesses are available. 

Let’s first explore the hardness of toothbrushes because not all toothbrushes are the same, and not all take care of our teeth in the same way.

A prevailing misconception persists among many individuals, asserting that a toothbrush with firm bristles delivers markedly superior cleaning efficacy when compared to its softer-bristle counterpart. This belief, rooted in the idea that bristle hardness equates to enhanced cleaning, is fundamentally flawed. 

In truth, using a toothbrush with harder bristles can be detrimental to both your enamel and gums, particularly if you observe noticeable bristle wear within a few weeks. Consequently, persisting with a toothbrush featuring excessive bristle hardness not only fails to improve cleaning but also poses a significant risk to your dental health.

On the contrary, soft or medium-hard toothbrushes are ideal. Indeed, in some special cases, several people try to purchase and use an ultra-soft bristle toothbrush, essential for those with more fragile dental conditions. 

In general, however, if you brush correctly for at least two minutes and also use other supplements for correct oral hygiene, you will achieve effective dental cleaning without damaging your teeth. Remember that applying more pressure does not lead to better cleaning.

When it comes to toothbrush use, soft or hard bristles can make a difference. Let’s now see in the next paragraph how to perform correct oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene beyond brushing

The toothbrush, though unquestionably vital, should not be viewed in isolation. In tandem with a soft-bristle toothbrush, it is advisable to introduce complementary components like dental floss and mouthwash into your oral care regimen. So, an ideal brushing would include these steps:

• Morning: when you use your toothbrush, soft or hard bristles create different consequences. When brushing your teeth, it is recommended never using toothbrushes with hard bristles;
• Afternoon: brush your teeth immediately after lunch so as to eliminate most of the impurities and food debris present between the teeth;
• Night: deep brushing, use of dental floss or brushes to remove dirt accumulated during the day, and finally, use of mouthwash.

Don’t forget these steps to have good oral hygiene. Remember that at your clinic, they will certainly be at your complete disposal to answer any questions about your oral hygiene habits. Do not hesitate to contact your dentist without obligation. If you have decided to buy an electric toothbrush, soft bristles will be excellent, but know that traditional toothbrushes must be of medium or soft hardness because if they are very hard, they can wear away the tooth enamel. It is not necessary to use very hard brushes or to wring out the toothbrush too much to achieve good hygiene.
Occasionally, in pursuit of thorough dental cleaning, individuals may exert excessive force on their teeth and gums, potentially causing discomfort to their gums. This is precisely why we advocate for the utilization of a gentle-bristle toothbrush.

Remember

If you have to change your toothbrush, hard bristles should be avoided. In general, hard bristles are not recommended as their prolonged use over time can cause alterations to the gums, so the choice will generally be that of medium hardness. 

However, in case of doubt, it is always advisable to consult a specialist dentist. Your dentist possesses intimate knowledge of your unique clinical circumstances, your dental structure, and your gum health. Consequently, they are well-equipped to prescribe the most effective toothbrush for optimal outcomes. Prioritize the well-being of your dental aesthetics and overall oral health.

Generally, the gum tissues are tightly attached to the teeth. When an infection occurs in the gums, a deeper space around teeth under the gum line is formed. Such pathologically deepened gingival spaces are called gum pockets.

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Smoking has long been linked to several health issues, including damage to the gums. Recent studies have suggested that Smoking could contribute to receding gums. It is a condition where the gum tissue around the teeth begins to pull away, leading to further dental problems. This blog post will explore the connection between smoking and receding gums and discuss the implications for oral health.

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Deep dental cleaning, also known as “Teeth Scaling” and “Root Planing” is more than routine dental cleaning. The routine dental cleanings aim at removing sticky & hard deposits on teeth surfaces above the gums. Deep cleanings tend to microbial accumulations beneath the gum line using ultrasonic instruments and other sophisticated tools. It encourages the gums to reattach with the teeth. Hence, you can cease the progression of gum infections.

If your dentist prescribes you need a deep dental cleaning procedure, it shows oral bacteria piled deeply between teeth and gums. Despite the root planing treatment seems complex, it is completed within 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on the depth of your infection, your dentist might recommend more than one deep teeth cleaning sitting.

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Gum bleeding is a common problem and is harmless in most cases. If you notice blood oozing out of your mouth frequently, it might be a sign of gum disease or disorders. Likely, it causes a lot of uneasiness like pain, less appetite, etc. So you should start activities to treat bleeding gums.

In general, bleeding in the gums happens due to vigorous brushing and flossing. Likewise, poor eating habits, plaque build-up are also responsible for this. Besides dental injuries, various medical concerns like pregnancy, hormonal changes also trigger your gums to bleed.

Before going for medications, you can take advantage of certain substances in your home as they hold ample therapeutic properties. They can promote your gum health, ease pain, and stop bleeding. Here are some.

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As the entire universe is witnessing the corona outbreak and the number of COVID-19 victims climbs up again in recent times, it is crucial to emulate the precautionary steps. The coronavirus infection is associated with many hazardous medical conditions as well. Few corona affected patients died due to respiratory failure is an instance. You might know the fact that aged persons and people with underlying health concerns are at high risk of corona infection. 

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Are you brushing your teeth regularly?

Surely most answer will be yes

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day?

Now the answer will turn into 50% Yes – 50% No

Are you flossing your teeth at least once a day regularly?

Definitely, the answer will not even touch 50% of yes.

You may think flossing takes more time and cause pain, but its benefits are great and unbelievable.

Dentists encourage adding flossing habits in their daily dental care routines. Here are some dental appliances that replace the traditional flossing method.

Soft picks

These are disposable type toothpicks made up of synthetic rubber. Their bristles are soft that gently remove dislodge the food, plaque, and massage gums. The handle is round-shaped, which helps to reach the back of your mouth as well as sides.

This is very difficult when you just use a toothbrush to clean your teeth. This appliance is great for those who undergo orthodontic treatment and easy to use with bridges and implants.

Floss picks

These P shaped plastic toothpicks that are now replacing those wooden toothpicks are also known as flosser picks. They are now popular and mostly replaced traditional flossing methods. Floss picks are very effective in removing food debris and plaque in between the teeth and very easy to use.

Their tail end is thin and acts as a toothpick, and on the other end, it is bow-shaped with thread attached. They are very easy to handle and saves a lot of time when compared to the traditional method of flossing.

Air flossers

Air flossers consist of soft tips that produce micro-droplets of liquid and air to clean teeth and gums. They are a bit larger than a normal electric toothbrush, and they travel easily too. Many people like its slim design and these modern air flossers are nowadays are very effective in removing plaques gently.

Oral irrigators

Oral irrigators are one of the best flossing supplements trending now. They look similar to air flossers and are a very effective one. They come with different types of attachable tips, and you can choose the better one that suits you. Simply water is filled in the reservoir and attached to the base.

Then the required tip is attached to the handle and pressure is set to clean the plaques in between the teeth and gums. Nowadays, like air flossers, oral irrigators are also very effective in removing plaques, and they have the tendency to remove up to 99% of plaques.

Benefits of flossing

-Flossing helps in maintaining proper oral hygiene, and it is one of the best preventive oral care.

-Protects your teeth from staining due to plaque and tartar buildup

-Eliminates bad breath

-It is more effective in maintaining oral hygiene than brushing alone.

-The key factor is, it prevents gum disease.

Staying hydrated is not only good for your body health but also for your dental health.

During hot summer days, it is very essential to stay hydrated to maintain proper chemical balance in the body. Improper balance due to dehydration may cause various problems such as bad breath, decay, and gum problems. A beautiful smile is boosted by drinking plenty of healthy drinks.

Dry mouth causes various impacts on dental health like gum diseases. Your saliva plays an essential role in your dental health. It washes away hidden food particles and bacteria and helps in maintaining good oral health.

Dehydration is the main factor that reduces the secretion of saliva in the mouth. When you are dehydrated, bacteria in the mouth multiply easily and create various oral infections.

Here are the problems that will occur due to the dehydration

1) Bad breath

When you are hydrated, the secretion of saliva will be more. Saliva continually washes your teeth, gums, and tongue and helps in maintaining fresh breath. Hence leaving your mouth in a dry condition can give you bad breath. Always moisten your mouth to stay away from bad breath.

2) Tooth staining

When food particles and drinks left over the mouth for a long time, it will stain your teeth. Saliva reduces stains by rinsing away these food particles before it stains your enamel. Thus staying hydrated also helps you to maintain whiter teeth.

3) Weaker enamel

Your enamel will be weakened if there is no proper supply of some minerals. Saliva supplies calcium, phosphate ions, and fluoride to the enamel of your teeth. These mineral supplements strengthen your enamel and do some microscopic repairs. Being hydrated gives you stronger teeth and enamel.

4) Cavity

The above-said minerals are also responsible for fighting against harmful bacteria. Dehydration in mouth causes these bacteria to expand and create a cavity and several other infections. Keeping your mouth hydrated boosts saliva secretion and protects from cavities and other infections

5) Gum disease

Gum disease or periodontal disease occurs due to the main reason of plaque build-up and bacteria. Saliva helps in minimizing periodontal disease by washing away this plaque and bacteria constantly.

Rehydrate yourself to reduce the risk of oral problems. Drinking adequate water helps in secreting saliva constantly. When we age, the ability to eliminate water will be lost in the kidney. Here are some ways to stay hydrated gradually.

Prevention Techniques

• Chewing – Chewing compresses your salivary gland muscles and helps in releasing saliva. Always chew sugar-free gums to secrete saliva.
• Limit consumption of coffee and alcohol and minimize salt.
• Eat foods that are rich in water such as applesauce, salads and fruits.
• When you sweat, the electrolytes in your body will be lost. Drinking coconut water helps you to regain the lost electrolytes.
• Use mouth wash that is alcohol-free.
• Do not smoke. It improves your mouth hygiene as well as overall health
• Breathe through the nose instead of the mouth, especially on summer days.

Always keep your mouth hydrated, if you feel any symptoms like cracked lips, bad breath, dry tongue, dark urine, nausea, etc., consult your dentist immediately to prevent various dental problems that occur due to dry mouth.

Pregnancy is one of the most important time periods for any woman and it is vital that health is maintained in top-notch condition throughout pregnancy. Here, in this article, let us talk about some important tips that ought to be considered to make sure that oral health is maintained in good order:

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Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is the sixth most common disease in the world. People with diabetes are more likely to experience gum disease if they’ve had poor blood sugar levels for a long period of time. Because high blood sugar levels lead to damage to blood vessels, this reduces the supply of oxygen and nourishment to the gums, making infections of the gums and bones more likely.

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