With so many toothbrushes available today, it’s difficult to figure out exactly which one is best suited for your oral hygiene. Learning the key differences between several kinds of toothbrushes can help you understand the best way to care for your smile. LA’s leading cosmetic dentist Dr. Raschkovsky’s handy list highlights the benefits of the most common types of toothbrushes found on the market.

Manual Toothbrushes

There’s a lot to be said about the manual toothbrush: it’s portable, will never run out of batteries and is affordable to replace. A toothbrush complete with a myriad of bristle types and built-in tongue, gum and cheek cleaners will keep you looking fresh and clean after each brush. The benefits of this toothbrush remove plaque, rejuvenate the gums and thoroughly brush all aspects of the teeth. Not to mention, it costs way less than an electric toothbrush.

Size:

For most adults, a toothbrush head half-inch wide and one-inch tall provides the perfect reach and cleaning capabilities. The toothbrush handle should be long enough to hold comfortably in your hand.

Bristle Variety

Hard Bristles

A toothbrush with hard bristles can certainly remove a lot of plaque and leave your teeth feeling shiny, but harder bristles are responsible for enamel erosion. Brushing using the abrasive bristles of a hard toothbrush results in the protective layer of your teeth being compromised, eventually wearing thin.

Soft Bristles

A soft bristle toothbrush is round at the tip, ideal for individuals with sensitive gums and teeth. They are perfect for reaching the back teeth and areas of the mouth that are difficult to reach, since soft bristled toothbrushes are so flexible.

Electric Toothbrushes

If you have difficulty brushing, or remembering to brush properly, an electric toothbrush can do the job for you. Electric brushes do a great job brushing teeth thoroughly and can even sense how much pressure you’re using, alerting you when you’ve finished the job.

Perfecting Oral Hygiene

To be sure your toothbrush has undergone satisfactory quality control tests for cleaning effectiveness and safety, ask LA dentist, Dr. Alessandra Raschkovsky for a recommendation. It’s also advisable to look for manual or powered toothbrushes marked with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval.

The falling leaves, the tailgate party, the celebrated touchdown. Autumn marks the beginning of football season, one of the nation’s favorite pastimes. For athletes and sports enthusiasts, it is a time of high activity—and increased risk of losing a tooth. If you play a football or another fall contact sport, there are steps you can take to protect your mouth from damage.

• Wear a helmet. Helmets must be worn on the field during game. The same rules should be used during training. Even a light practice or daily drill can leave a player vulnerable to injuries in the skull and jaw area. It is important to shield yourself against potential trauma to the head and mouth area any time you engage in playing football, whether it be fielding passes, scrimmages, or casually tossing the football.
• Use a mouth guard. When it comes to protecting the teeth, a mouth guard is, perhaps, the most essential piece of sports equipment an athlete can have. Inexpensive and versatile, a mouth guard can be purchased at most sports outfitters and equipment stores. A mouth guard can be generic in shape or it can be molded, which means it can be heated in hot water and adjusted to conform to the shape of the teeth. Mouth guards offer a barrier of protection to the teeth. For added comfort and a highly durable material, you may want to consider investing in a custom, dentist mouth guard.

What to Do If You Lose a Tooth during Sports

Tooth loss due to a sports-related impact is a common reason people seek dental care and restoration. Football, soccer, field and ice hockey, and lacrosse are just some of the sports that can put your teeth at risk. Even if you are cautious and take care to protect yourself from injury, accidents can, and do, happen. If you have suffered a lost tooth or need dental care after an accident, contact Zen Dental for an appointment. We can help restore your smile and provide advice on how to maintain your teeth after injury.

How to Protect Your Teeth This Football Season was last modified: October 25th, 2016 by ZenDental

For the most part, when we think of gum diseases like gingivitis, we do not think beyond our teeth and mouth. Unfortunately, gum diseases do not just wreak havoc in our mouth. Doctors have discovered that oral diseases can actually worsen our overall health and even lead to major health concerns like heart disease. So, it is important to remember that healthy gums go hand in hand with overall wellness of the body.

Let’s briefly look at how periodontitis, a type of gum infection which causes the inflammation in the mouth, actually develops. It all begins by a buildup of bacteria in the mouth which results in inflammation of the gums. Then, the inner bone recedes due to inflamed gums and a pocket is formed. This leads to increased plaque activity and may cause the tooth to loosen and fall out.

Periodontitis used to be looked at in the past as merely a disease of the mouth. However, recent studies have proven that there is a significant relation between periodontitis and our overall health. For example, extreme forms of plaques and gingivitis can lead to major health problems like dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that people who suffer from periodontitis are more likely to develop coronary heart disease. And, 72% of men who are under the age of fifty and suffer from periodontitis have a high probability of developing heart diseases.

In addition, other researchers have also found a correlation between gum disease and diabetes. To be specific, periodontitis hinders the body’s ability to utilize insulin. As a result of this, individuals suffering from periodontitis are more likely to develop high blood sugar. Additionally, people with diabetes are also more prone to be affected by periodontal diseases because of the body’s inability to effectively fight infections and diseases.

So, to avoid experiencing all these problems, it’s necessary to keep the gums in good health. Here are some important tips that will keep your oral health in great condition:

1. Floss before brushing your teeth; it makes for a more comprehensive brushing.
2. Brush your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste and use a fluoride mouthwash. Fluoride is great for protecting the teeth and gums.
3. Have regular checkups at the dentist to ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy.

If you think you may have periodontitis or are concern about your gum health, contact Dr. Alessandra Raschkovsky at our Los Angeles office.

A rinse with mouthwash is refreshing. Most dentists agree that mouthwash can give your smile a boost, but is it really necessary and what are the benefits of mouthwash?

The Benefits of Mouthwash

Mouthwash has several benefits: it can strengthen the teeth, fight plaque, encourage healthy gums, and brighten the teeth.

• Stronger Teeth. Fortified with fluoride, mouthwash can strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Fluoride, a common active ingredient toothpaste and mouthwash, has been clinically shown to protect the teeth. A daily swish of mouthwash can help prevent cavities.
• Healthier Gums. When the gums become infected due to plaque and bacterial build-up, it causes the gums to become inflamed and tender–a sign of periodontal disease. Mouthwash that contains antibacterial properties can help prevent periodontal (gum) disease. Some antibacterial mouthwashes can offer hours of protection after use.
• Fresh breath. Gingivitis can contribute to chronic bad breath. Aside giving your breath a temporary minty scent, an antibacterial mouthwash can help keep your breath fresh by combating gingivitis and improving oral hygiene overall.
• Whiter teeth. Some mouthwashes contain hydrogen peroxide, a substance that can whiten the teeth.

Mouthwash can be a great complement to the daily habits of brushing and flossing. A quick rinse can be a great way to remove small particles throughout the day. However, although it can help dislodge pieces of food, it should not be considered a substitute for other methods of food and plaque removal.

What type of mouthwash is best? Many mouthwash brands contain alcohol (ethanol), which can cause a burning sensation. Los Angeles-based Dr. Alessandra Raschkovsky often recommends using an alcohol-free mouthwash, particularly for those who suffer from oral irritations and who are going through treatment for systemic conditions such as cancer, dialysis, fungus infections. Alcohol-free mouthwash may be better for those with tooth composite restorations.

It is also important to note that not all brands of mouthwash contain fluoride or antibacterial agents. Be sure to read the label for a list of ingredients before you purchase a bottle of mouthwash.

At Zen Dental in Los Angeles, we can help you maintain and restore a healthy smile. From general dentistry to cosmetic reconstruction, we offer personalized treatment plans. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.