Examining the Relationship Between Swollen Gums and Toothbrushes

Every time you visit the dentist, you’re most likely rewarded with a toothbrush! To many dentists, this has become a premier marketing tool. In addition to handing out a sample of toothpaste or floss, this little token completes the office visit. As you leave with your gift, you may still wonder why you keep your dentist appointments, perform the recommended daily oral hygiene regimen, but still suffer from swollen gums. You may be surprised to learn your choice of toothbrush may have everything to do with it!

Take a close look at your toothbrush. Next time you are at the store, browse through the oral hygiene aisle. The odds are good you will be dazzled with the array of toothbrushes that come in virtually any size and shape. There are those with soft bristles and those with extra hard ones. Some have bristles which are taller on the tip and seem to be shaped like the letter “V”. Others have blue bristles on the side, appearing to be a bit taller than the rest. Some toothbrushes have a flexible neck, while others are a rigid straight line. Each manufacturer touts the advantages of their special design.

Adding to the confusion is the choice of manual toothbrushes versus sonic and electronic ones. While many of these toothbrushes have great advantages, some may cause more harm than they do good. It is in these circumstances you are most likely to experience swollen gums. Perhaps the best rule of thumb is to keep it natural whenever you opt for manual models. Bristles made from nylon are cheaper. Therefore the toothbrushes will be cheaper. But, natural bristles are more durable and will not damage the sensitive tissue of the gums. Also, stay away from stiff bristles and instead opt for soft ones. The stiff bristles are unforgiving. Instead of factoring in the differing shapes of the contours of the mouth, they will scratch the gums, leading to swelling and pain.

Small brushes make oral hygiene easier because they permit for more dexterity and easier twisting and turning. If you can move the brush around in your mouth without too much hassle, you’re less likely to miss the hard to reach spots toward the back. Therefore you are most likely not going to simply dismiss the hidden areas of the mouth. Although manual brushes have their advantages and disadvantages, the electric and sonic models have their ups and downs too.

Examining the relationship between swollen gums and toothbrushes requires a good look at these tools as well. Swollen gums today, a toothless grin tomorrow does not have to be in your future if you are careful in choosing your oral hygiene products. At this point in time, sonic toothbrushes appear to be the most advanced tool on the market. They have shown good results in eradicating the dreaded bacteria existing between the teeth and the gums. Patients who use these types of toothbrushes don’t commonly complain about swollen gums. In fact, they most certainly don’t suffer the accidental injuries to the gums associated with manual toothbrushes.