Polished Rough Draft Paper #3

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? Would you get the same brand of dentures as your grandparents? Could this potentially disturb you life? 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 at 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. Though this may seem a little extensive for choosing a seemingly unimportant 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.

First of all, many people think that hard-bristled toothbrushes are prone to do a better job of cleaning teeth than soft ones. The reasoning for this may argue that this is true because they have firmer bristles that can put more pressure on plaque, therefore cleaning the teeth better.  This course of thought works well in 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. Though common sense may say that harder surfaces put more strain on stains, if the tool used to make such a change 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. 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.” Ensuring you have rounded tips will also improve your tooth care, on top of using a soft-bristled toothbrush. My dad once bought the 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 will scraped off, bit by bit, as careless hands began to use sharp forks and metal spoons to create sticky concoctions. In the end, this beautiful varnish became ineffective do 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)

In addition to dissapearing tooth enamel, Jill Leviticus, who has worked in the health field, points out that receding gums and exposed roots are also a direct result of using hard bristled toothbrushes. Not only could you lose your teeth, but receding gums are also painful. They are the cause of hidden cavities, gum disease and sensitivity. There are solutions and programs meant to help people with gum disease and recession. Though this is the case, avoiding something always requires less of an individual then the resulting need for repair. (Batchelor, Leviticus)

Gum disease can also be a result of inadequate tooth care. One may argue, “I brush my teeth morning and night, with a dentist recommended toothbrush, 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.” 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, Admin states that finger grips attached onto the handle actually enhances the capability of the user in cleaning their teeth. Since oral discomfort occurs as a direct result of insufficient tooth care, one can assume that a toothbrush that will help them in the task of cleaning their teeth, will result in a happier set of chompers.(The Health Site)

    Toothbrush head size is another important factor that should be studied when buying a toothbrush. 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. 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 all of these words may make it seem. WebMD explains that one simple way to be certain that your childs toothbrush is safe to use and effective 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. If it is helpful for children's health, often those with the worst tooth care, it should be beneficial for all ages.

WebMD states that in order to be sure your toothbrush choice is the right one, all you have to do is make sure it has the American Dental Association seal on the packaging. Personally associated with more than one hundred medical specialists, WebMD is devoted to guiding its audience towards a healthy lifestyle. American Dental Association, or ADA, defines itself as, “America’s leading advocate for oral health.” To back up this statement, their article, “Science in the News,” explains that they refer to scientific development and controversy found in the news, making summaries of these available to their viewers. This shows the overwhelming care and “advocacy” they seek to convey to America.

By simply spending a few extra minutes in the Health and Beauty aisle, you could save yourself time spent searching for medical help and money drained on applying such. Resources used to protect and perfect your smile before calamity strikes with be fully rewarded. Don’t be jipped out of your ability to display the world’s most renowned expression of happiness.

Works Cited

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

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

“Bleeding Gums and Swollen Gums are a Sign that You Need Professional Help Right Away.” Lakefront Family Dentistry. Lakefront Family Dentistry, 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.

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

“Science in the News.” American Dental Association. American Dental Association, 2015. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.