Paper #3

The Value of a Toothbrush

 

What if you didn’t have teeth? What if they fell out, one by one, leaving you with a tender, gummy smile, susceptible to question and judgment (Leviticus)? Would you get the same brand of dentures as your grandparents? Most importantly, would you continue to use your generic, hard-bristled toothbrush? Reading the remainder of this essay will give you the necessary knowledge needed to help keep you from having to prematurely answer these questions. Through this explanation, any concerns about the causes of, and how to avoid, oral calamities will be put to rest. The answer is simple: Your toothbrush choice affects the overall health of your teeth (Leviticus).

There are many characteristics that one must consider when picking out a toothbrush. These include the bristle texture, handle length, and many more components (Batchelor, Tips to Choose a Toothbrush, Choosing a Toothbrush: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable, Advanced Dental Care of Austin). Though this may seem a little extensive for choosing a seemingly insignificant item, it is not. Advanced Dental Care of Austin says that “the toothbrush you choose can actually be detrimental to your oral health.” Advanced Dental Care of Austin was voted top dentist by Austin Monthly Magazine (Why Do Dentists Recommend Soft Toothbrushes? Which Brush is Best?).

Considering the first characteristic, many people think that hard-bristled toothbrushes are prone to do a better job of cleaning teeth than soft ones. The reasoning for this is that they have firmer bristles that can put more pressure on plaque (Batchelor).  This course of thought works well with other everyday chores, but “Soft, rounded bristles are the best choice for removing plaque and tartar buildup without damaging your teeth,” according to Advanced Dental Care of Austin (Why Do Dentists Recommend Soft Toothbrushes? Which Brush is Best?). Though common sense may say that harder surfaces put more strain on stains, if the tool used harms more than it helps, what is the point (Batchelor)?

Besides being a more effective cleanser, soft-bristled toothbrushes are also much safer than those of a harder exterior. Dentist Caitlin Batchelor from Virginia explains that brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush bites and chews away at the user's enamel, which is a kind of shield against cavities, bacteria, and gum disease (Batchelor, Leviticus). Using a hard-bristled toothbrush with the intention of enhancing oral care is ineffective. She continues, “Enamel is the pearly, hard white part of the tooth that covers the inner, softer layers. Enamel is there to protect your teeth from harmful bacteria, so you’re not doing yourself any favors by scrubbing away at it with too-hard bristles”(Batchelor). This incontestably states the necessity to use caution when choosing a toothbrush. On top of using a soft-bristled toothbrush, WebMD’s article “Choosing a Toothbrush: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable” explains that ensuring you have rounded tips will even further secure the safety of your teeth. My dad once bought two pre-greased frying pans. This defensive coat kept food from sticking to the pan, also creating a shiny, fresh sheen. Eventually though, this beautiful glaze was scraped off, bit by bit, as careless hands habitually used sharp forks and metal spoons to create sticky concoctions. In the end, this beautiful varnish became ineffective due to the hard objects used on it. Hard-bristled toothbrushes work at the user’s enamel with the same promised conclusion.  Making sure to only buy and use soft-bristled, round-tipped toothbrushes will help protect the user’s enamel and therefore, the overall health of their smile. This statement provides the promise of real “guarantees” supported by fact (Batchelor, Leviticus, Choosing a Toothbrush: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable).

Jill Leviticus, the author of the article “About Receding Gums,” found on Livestrong.com, points out that receding gums and exposed roots are also a direct result of using hard-bristled toothbrushes (Leviticus). Again, this is an example the damage that can result from making a bad toothbrush choice. Not only could you lose your teeth, but receding gums are also painful (Leviticus). They are the cause of hidden cavities, gum disease and sensitivity (Batchelor, Leviticus). There are solutions and programs meant to help people with gum disease and recession (Leviticus). Though these options exist, avoiding these oral catastrophes through an effective and safe toothbrush choice will be less expensive and painful than the resulting need for repair work. Livestrong.com is a site that says they are “here to make [their] members lives stronger, healthier and happier” (Why We Are Here: Dare To Change Your Life).

Gum disease can also be a result of inadequate tooth care which can be traced back to the specific attributes of the user’s toothbrush. One may argue, “I brush my teeth morning and night, and floss each day. What changes could I possibly make?” Many people are not aware of the importance of the characteristics of a toothbrush handle, explained by the author of the article “Tips to Choose a Toothbrush.” These are comfort, flexibility, and the inclusion of “non-slip grips” (Tips to Choose a Toothbrush). Instinctively, we are more inclined to do something if it doesn’t hurt, or if it isn’t uncomfortable. Buying a toothbrush that is comfortable to use is likely to increase the number of times a person brushes their teeth. The flexibility of a toothbrush handle contributes largely to this desired comfort, as it makes cleaning difficult areas in the mouth much easier. Again tying into the user’s comfort, the author of this article states that finger grips attached onto the handle actually enhances the capability of the user in cleaning their teeth. With this greater ability, improved by these needed toothbrush characteristics, the user’s regular efforts towards good oral hygiene will be more sufficient than if no consideration towards these elements had been given (Tips to Choose a Toothbrush).

Another important factor that should be studied when buying an effective toothbrush is toothbrush head size. The Health Site website expresses the opinion that toothbrush heads that are small are better than larger ones. The reasoning for this is similar to that for the argument supporting a flexible handle: It makes cleaning the entire mouth easier by helping the user get to “hard-to-reach areas,” as WebMD puts it (Tips to Choose a Toothbrush, Choosing a Toothbrush: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable). This contributes to achieving the overall goal of having a healthy mouth, therefore stating its relevance.

Many people may say that it takes too much time, effort and finances to determine what type of toothbrush is the best for them and then to actually find one. Being very busy myself, and not particularly wealthy, I can see how this type of reasoning may seem rational. Thankfully, it is not altogether as complicated as these words may make it seem. WebMD explains that one simple way to be certain that your child’s toothbrush is safe to use, and sufficient, is to make sure it has the American Dental Association seal of approval proudly displayed on the packaging. WebMD’s confidence in using such a method to ensure a child’s health states the reliability of it (Choosing a Toothbrush: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable). If it is helpful for children's health--often the age group with the worst tooth care--it should be beneficial for all ages. Taking this simple step, making sure that your toothbrush has been deemed acceptable by this prestigious organization, insures one more level of protection from gum disease and other aforementioned oral attacks made by insufficient toothbrushes.  

Personally associated with more than one hundred medical specialists, WebMD demonstrates its devotion to guiding its audience towards a healthy lifestyle (Who We Are, WebMD). American Dental Association, or ADA, defines itself as, “America’s leading advocate for oral health” (American Dental Association). This shows the overwhelming care they seek to convey to America through their authentic inspections of diverse toothbrushes.

By simply spending a few extra minutes in the Health and Beauty aisle, you could save yourself a much longer period of time spent searching for medical help and money drained on applying such. Being sure that the toothbrush you choose meets all of the before mentioned criteria--before calamity strikes--will reward you in full. The American Academy of Periodontology tells us that, “One out of every two American adults aged 30 and over has periodontal disease,” a kind of gum disease (CDC: Half of American Adults Have Periodontal Disease). Don’t be gypped out of your ability to smile and display the world’s most renowned expression of happiness.

Works Cited

Advanced Dental Care of Austin. Advanced Dental Care of Austin, 2015. Web. Dec 1. 2015.

American Dental Association. American Dental Association, 2015. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

Batchelor, Caitlin. “Why You Should Switch to a Soft Toothbrush.” Caitlin Batchelor Dentistry. Caitlin Batchelor Dentistry, 16 Oct. 2015. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 “CDC: Half of American Adults Have Periodontal Disease.” American Academy of Periodontology. American Academy of Periodontology, 2015. Web. 3 Dec. 2015.

“Choosing a Toothbrush: The Pros and Cons of Electric and Disposable.” WebMD. WebMD, 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.

Leviticus, Jill. “About Receding Gums.” Livestrong. Demand Media. eHow Health. 20 Oct. 2013. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

 “Tips to Choose a Toothbrush.” The Health Site. Kenmore Family Dentist, 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.

“Who We Are.” WebMD. WebMD, 2015. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.

“Why Do Dentists Recommend Soft Toothbrushes? Which Brush is Best?” Advanced Dental Care of Austin. Advanced Dental Care of Austin, 2014. Web.  1 Dec. 2015.

“Why We Are Here: Dare To Change Your Life.” Livestrong. eHow, 2015. Web. 5 Dec. 2015.