The Ideal Toothbrush
The most important thing in keeping a healthy mouth is brushing your teeth regularly. However, brushing the teeth is not as simple as moving the toothbrush back and forth on your teeth. There are things that you have to know for the tooth brushing activity to be effective. You have to know how to choose the proper toothbrush, the effective way of brushing your teeth, and the taking care of your toothbrush.
Choosing a Proper Toothbrush
• Pick a toothbrush that has a soft bristle. Hard bristles can harm your gums and may cause bleeding. To avoid bleeding gums when brushing your teeth, you should go for soft bristled tooth brush. This kind of toothbrush will be more comfortable to use because it will not harm your gums.
• Pick the right size of the toothbrush according to the size of your mouth. If you have a small mouth, you should pick a toothbrush with a small head. It is not sensible to pick a very big toothbrush when your mouth is very small. The size of the toothbrush and the size of your mouth should be in proportion with each other.
• Pick a toothbrush that is easy to use. May it be a manual or an electric toothbrush; you should be able to use it easily. It should have a good grip so that you can use it properly.
Effective Way of Brushing the Teeth
• Make it a habit to brush your teeth every after meal. The most important time that you should brush your teeth is during the morning after breakfast and at night before going to bed. Try to brush your teeth after having your lunch also, but, if you cannot do it, it is just okay as long as your brush in the morning and at night.
• Brush your teeth for at least three minutes. Thoroughly brush your teeth everyday by moving the toothbrush in every surface of the teeth. Floss your teeth as well. On the average, it will take your three minutes and even more to brush and floss your teeth.
• Gently brush your teeth. Take your time and brush softly. If you are doing it roughly, you might harm your gums and that may lead to gum bleeding.
• Include your tongue when brushing your teeth. Most of the bacteria do not live on the teeth; instead, they live on the tongue. Thus, you have to scrape off the bacteria from your tongue by brushing it as well.
• Replace your toothbrush once at least every three or four months. If the bristles are destroyed on its first month, you should replace it immediately.
Taking Care of Your Toothbrush
• Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with clean water after using it. This is to remove the remaining toothpaste and even food particles on the brush.
• In storing your toothbrush, you should position it upwards, with the bristles on the upper side. This is to give time for the bristles to dry. Do not store them in a close place, or do not put their covers so that they will dry after being used. If there are two or more toothbrushes together, make sure that they have enough space from each other so that the air can freely circulate around them.
• Do not share your toothbrush with other person. Consider your toothbrush as a personal item that cannot be shared with other person.