Smiling Oak Dentistry has been in the family dentistry practice since 1992. Regardless of age, we recommend that our clients change their toothbrushes every three months. Another thing to consider is the toothbrush bristles, paying close attention to the firmness in particular.

How firm a toothbrush’s bristle is might not seem to have anything to do with dentistry in Mount Pleasant, SC, but bristle firmness actually has a lot to do with both oral and gum health. Here is a breakdown of how different bristle firmness helps in dental hygiene.

Soft-Bristled Toothbrushes

These are the types of toothbrushes we recommend for everyday use because they are gentle on the teeth and gums. They are better at removing plaque and food buildup, especially along the gum line, and are perfect for clients with dental implants.

At Smiling Oak Dentistry, we offer one visit crowns (same day crowns), and we recommend using soft-bristled toothbrushes for those with dental crowns.

Medium Toothbrushes

Medium-bristled toothbrushes are the perfect in-between for our cosmetic dentistry patients who want to get the effectiveness of a hard toothbrush and the gentleness of a soft toothbrush. Their bristles are firm enough to eliminate plaque and food buildup but gentle enough to not be detrimental to the gums and enamel.

They are a good choice for most people, especially those with veneers multiple types like porcelain, composite, palatal, and Lumineers.

Hard-Bristled Toothbrushes

While our resident dentist does not recommend these toothbrushes for daily use, they are helpful for people with dentures. Dentures are usually harder to clean, and since dentures can be removed, the hard bristles of the toothbrush can clean the dentures thoroughly without hurting the clients’ gums.

Hard bristles are also a good choice for someone who wants to eliminate stains or temporary discoloration without teeth whitening. We, however, advise clients to be gentle because these types of toothbrushes can damage the gums or cause wear on the enamel.

Contact the Smiling Oak Dentistry office today and let us take care of your dental needs.