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November 21, 2022

 

One of the most frequent questions asked by dental patients is how to choose the best toothbrush. A study by the Oral Health Foundation affirms that using an electric toothbrush helps people of all ages have healthier gums and less tooth decay. An electric model also helps you keep your natural teeth for longer in your lifetime. But if an electric type is too pricey for you or impractical in some situations, a manual toothbrush can still get the job done well. You just need to know what to look for, when making your shopping decision.

What Matters Most When Choosing Your Manual Toothbrush

Below are three key factors to consider when weighing your best toothbrush options.

Soft Bristles

It is very important to choose a model with soft bristles, not medium or hard. This is true whether you want an electric toothbrush or a manual one.

Both medium and hard bristles are abrasive on your teeth and gums. These bristles can contribute to gum recession. They also leave microabrasions in tooth enamel, making your teeth more likely to suffer cavities and sensitivity. If you use a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush, you may notice your gums bleed more often while brushing, too.

Quality Bristles

In many ways when shopping for a new manual toothbrush, quality counts. Cost cuts in the manufacturing process made by unrecognized brands or those with really low price tags typically reflect poor quality bristles. After all, when buying a toothbrush you are essentially paying for the bristles.

Cheaper materials or operational shortcuts often result in uneven bristle edges or even sharp bristles. Low quality bristles can damage your teeth and gums, as mentioned in the section above.

Frequent Replacement

You need to replace your manual toothbrush often. The typical timeframe for replacement is every three months. Some people choose to replace their toothbrushes more frequently, driven by when the bristles soften too much, bend, crush or become frayed. As bristles break down, they do not effectively clean your teeth. You should also replace your toothbrush after you are sick.

Because you need to replace your manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush heads every three months, you should consider this when making your ultimate buying decision. This means that a costly brush may not make sense, if it does not offer benefits beyond a more economical option.

Should I Look for the ADA Seal on My Manual Toothbrush?

The American Dental Association (ADA) is the utmost authority on dentistry and oral health in the United States. Buying a manual toothbrush endorsed by the ADA and showing their Seal of Acceptance is a good way to know you are making a wise choice.

It is also important to know that endorsement by the ADA is a costly process in which not all manufacturers choose to participate. In fact, many of the top brands do not consider this endorsement important because these brands are already trusted by consumers. But if you see the ADA seal on manual toothbrush packaging for a brand you are unfamiliar with, you can know it is a good option for your teeth. This seal means the brush is “free of sharp edges and endpoints” that can damage your teeth and gums.

Three Manual Toothbrush Recommendations

Your dentist is always your best resource for manual toothbrush recommendations. Every dentist has their own preferred options for patients. They always consider bristle softness, brush quality and frequent replacement when helping you make your choice. They can also lead you the right direction for quicker decision-making, given the extremely broad field of options we all face today.

Three great manual toothbrush options you may not have considered before include:

Radius Source

The Radius Source manual toothbrush is a great option when you want the convenience of subscription-based brush replacement and delivery right to your door. The Source brush features a reusable handle and replacement heads with soft and super soft flossing bristle options.

If you have a history of brushing too hard and damaging your gums, this brush’s wide massaging head spreads your pressure force over the wider surface area. This means less force exerted on your teeth and gums. The bristles are made of soft vegetable nylon, also minimizing risk of gum bleeding, sensitivity and receding.

Because you reuse the handle and replace only the heads, you also pass on 93 percent less consumer waste.

Oral-B Cross Action Manual Toothbrush

If you prefer to buy your manual toothbrush in your local drugstore or grocery market, Oral-B is a widely accessible brand. A longtime dentist’s favorite is the Oral-B Cross Action handed out to new patients in many dental practices. This no-frills toothbrush costs less than three dollars throughout North Carolina, making it a great budget-friendly choice. You can also find them available in multi-packs for greater cost savings.

Nimbus Extra Soft Manual Toothbrush

In an answer to his patients’ questions about finding the best manual toothbrush, a periodontist designed his own product line. The Nimbus Extra Soft manual toothbrush is designed to clean between teeth. Thanks to its micro-fine, super soft bristles, this brush line works especially well for individuals with gum recession or gingivitis.

Talk to Your Dentist about the Best Manual Toothbrush for Your Smile

If you are unsure about which manual toothbrush suits your needs best, you only need to ask your Carolina Dental Arts dentist or dental hygienist at your next visit. Schedule your appointment today in our Durham, Raleigh or Goldsboro locations of Carolina Dental Arts.

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December 15, 2020

Charcoal toothpaste has recently become one of the hottest oral health products on the market. You can find this black colored toothpaste in your neighborhood drug store, grocery stores, and through online retailers. But many people wonder, “Is it safe for your teeth?” While it is trendy to use this product, we take a closer look at its efficacy, below.

What is charcoal toothpaste?

Charcoal ToothpasteCharcoal toothpaste contains activated charcoal, a fine powder made from extreme heat-oxidized coconut shells, wood and other organic substances. Medical doctors use this highly absorbent material for other medical purposes besides toothpaste, too. But many people believe it can whiten and brighten your teeth.

Charcoal toothpaste can remove surface stains from your smile, just as regular toothpaste does. It is an abrasive material that polishes away and absorbs these stains. That is, with some limitations. There is no evidence that proves charcoal toothpaste removes stains beneath your tooth enamel or whitens teeth.

Is it safe for your teeth?

There is not enough evidence to support whether charcoal toothpaste is or is not safe for your teeth over the long term. More research must focus on this question to provide a definite answer. But many dentists advise patients to exercise caution when choosing to brush their teeth with charcoal toothpaste.

Some facts about charcoal toothpaste and whether it is safe for your teeth include:

  • It is too abrasive to use every day
  • Using it every day can erode your tooth enamel and expose dentin, making your teeth look more yellow
  • Using it every day can make your teeth more sensitive
  • Most charcoal toothpastes do not contain fluoride
  • Some studies show people using these toothpastes suffer higher rates of tooth decay
  • Some of these black toothpastes stain teeth by accumulating in cracks and crevices
  • These toothpastes may darken or damage veneers, crowns, bridges and white fillings

Talk to your dentist to learn more about whether this toothpaste is safe for your teeth. Ask about specific brands to use, if your dentist believes black toothpaste could benefit your oral health and whiten your smile. Of course, your dentist has multiple options for whitening your teeth and improving your smile that are both safe and scientifically proven.

Pros and Cons of Using Black Toothpaste

The benefits of using charcoal toothpaste are limited from a scientifically proven standpoint. But these benefits may include:

  • Charcoal may help remove some surface stains from your teeth
  • It may help you fight bad breath
  • Used from time to time after a professional dental cleaning, this toothpaste may help prevent staining

There are more drawbacks to using this type of toothpaste when compared to benefits. These drawbacks include:

  • It can erode tooth enamel and make your teeth look more yellow
  • It does nothing to remove stains beneath your enamel
  • Using it too often can lead to tooth sensitivity
  • Most types do not contain fluoride, an essential element in preventing cavities
  • Older teeth are particularly vulnerable to staining by charcoal
  • Using this toothpaste can stain your teeth and dental restorations
  • There is no hard scientific proof that charcoal paste benefits your smile

Effective Options for Whitening Your Teeth

Your dentist has many proven options for whitening your teeth. These options include both in-office treatments and at-home products they can recommend or provide through the dental office. Your dentist never recommends products or services not endorsed by the American Dental Association. That means you do not have to worry about whether the treatments work or if they are safe for your teeth.

Some of these proven options for whitening your teeth include:

  • In-office whitening procedures
  • Whitening kits for at-home use
  • Whitening toothpaste

If you decide to buy over-the-counter products for whitening your teeth, talk to your dentist first. Also ensure the products you choose to show the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval. You can also check out this study published by the National Library of Medicine for some more insight.

Talk to Your Dentist about Improving Your Smile

Schedule your next visit with your dentist at Carolina Dental Arts in Goldsboro or Raleigh, North Carolina today. When you attend your appointment, ask your dentist about recommended teeth whitening options, charcoal toothpaste and how to improve your smile.

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July 16, 2020

Five Simple Ways to Prevent Cavities

One quarter of all American adults and half of teens have cavities. Many people take their oral health for granted. But taking care of your teeth is critical for your best overall wellness. This makes one of your biggest oral health issues is cavity prevention. Below are five easy ways to prevent cavities, no matter your age.

Prevent Cavities

 

1. Know Your Oral Health

Taking good care of your teeth means understanding your current oral health status and risk for cavities. This knowledge comes from visiting your dentist twice yearly for a routine oral health exam. Your dentist advises about your cavity risk, which treatments you need and how you can reduce your potential for dental problems. For these reasons, visiting your dentist every six months enables one of the easiest ways to prevent cavities.

2. Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Proper tooth brushing is the most obvious among ways to prevent cavities. Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste removes bacteria and plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. It is most important to perform this twice-daily ritual after meals and before going to bed at night. Otherwise, bacteria and plaque linger on your teeth, their acids damaging your precious enamel.

If possible, brush your teeth after lunch at school or work. Use an antimicrobial mouthwash each time you brush, too. This freshens your breath while cleaning away cavity-causing bacteria.

3. Choose Water and Drink Less Soda, Coffee, Juices, and Tea

Routinely exposing your teeth to the acids and sugars in tea, coffee, juices, milk, and sodas increases your risk of cavities. This means that drinking less of these beverages is another one of the easy ways to prevent cavities. If you do partake in sugary or acidic drinks, enjoy them for 20 minutes or less each day. Then rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

Speaking of water, most municipalities in the United States add cavity-preventing fluoride to their water supply. This makes water healthier than any other choice when it comes to cavity prevention and general wellness.

4. Floss Daily

No one looks forward to flossing their teeth every day. But this is one of the important ways to prevent cavities. Each tooth has five sides or surfaces, with all of them holding onto food particles, plaque, bacteria, and other debris. You need to clean these surfaces to ensure your best oral health and fewer cavities. Brushing only cleans three to four of each tooth’s sides and flossing reaches where your toothbrush cannot.

5. Stop Using Tobacco Products

Tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco cause a wide range of physical health problems. More than 16 million American adults use tobacco daily. Many of these people do not realize how much damage doing so cause in their mouths. In fact, tobacco use leads to cavities, stains on teeth, gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer.

By quitting smoking, you enable your body to heal from past damage caused by tobacco use. At the same time, quitting reduces your risk of cancer and other diseases. You can also improve your smile through this clear way to prevent cavities. Stopping your smoking or other use also makes it easier to keep your smile bright white. You look and feel healthier throughout your body, as a result.

Lower Your Risk of Cavities at Carolina Dental Arts

As said before, visiting your dentist regularly is one of the key ways to prevent cavities. Your dentist can help you improve your oral health, prevent tooth decay, and restore your smile after cavities occur. Your dentist can even help you get on track to quit smoking or using other tobacco.

Start taking cavity prevention more seriously by seeing your dentist twice yearly. Carolina Dental Arts offers three convenient locations to serve you, with two in Raleigh and one in Goldsboro, NC. Schedule your next visit today.

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Kathy Anders
Kathy Anders
2022-10-18
Excellent staff and love my dentist and the ladies in the office! Mrs. Patsy is my favorite and Liz is second. They are all good at what they do. Keeping my smile and my teeth looking their best! Awesome as always!
Marian Malone
Marian Malone
2022-10-10
Ashley who was my hygienist today did such a wonderful job on my teeth. I have gone in for cleanings before with other dentists in the area of Goldsboro and always come out with yellow teeth still.. I did not have any any kind of whitening done she just cleaned my teeth and I felt so good afterward .
Julian Edwards
Julian Edwards
2022-10-10
Awesome
Rodney Mealing Jr
Rodney Mealing Jr
2022-10-04
The Staff and service were great. From scheduling to dental work done, everything went easy. Felt relaxed, would recommend their services.
Tisse Martin (Tisse)
Tisse Martin (Tisse)
2022-09-29
Carolina Dental Arts staff & services are amazing. I called in as a new patient. They got me in and took care of my tooth the same day, with little waiting time. I was truly impressed. Thanks again CDA, see you guys soon ! 🤗
Janai Donyele
Janai Donyele
2022-09-29
My name is Sharonda. And I have been going to Carolina Dental for years, this is my family, whom I love so much. So kind very considerate, and patient. God bless everyone that works there. Love u guys.
Ellen Barlow
Ellen Barlow
2022-09-29
Friendly staff and Dr Taylor!! They really ease your anxiety!




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