Should you use a softer or an electric toothbrush? Test your dental care knowledge with our Everwell Challenge.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Narrator From a very young age, we all learn how to keep our pearly whites clean. But sometimes as adults, we need a little brushing up on our tooth-brushing facts.
We visited kids at practice and play…and put them to the test. And then did the same to some moms. See who comes out on top… and how you stack up.
Ok, question number one: how long should you brush your teeth?
Answers from kids and moms
Kids: One minute! Two minutes! 30 seconds.
Moms: For Two minutes. Two minutes.
First mom: “I think its suppose to be twenty minutes…
2nd mom: “Twenty minutes?”
First mom: …on top and on the bottom.
Narrator
For the answer we headed to the dentist’s office to see Dr. Scott Veal.
Scott Veal, DMD
You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes.
Moms: That’s actually better. Ok, two minutes.
Narrator
And exactly how should you brush?
First mom:
I learned: up like a plane, down like the rain and across like a train…laugh…
Narrator
Dentists say forget planes and trains. Think ferris wheels.
Scott Veal, DMD
Use circular motions when you brush your teeth. Make sure you get all of the surfaces, the ones way in the back…these are ones people miss a lot.
Narrator
Ok sink your teeth into this one. True or false: a soft bristled brush is better than a hard one?
Answers from kids and moms
Kids: True!
Narrator: soft or hard? Kids: Hard. Because hard will get all the leftover food stuck in your teeth out.
Mom: You’re really certain about the soft brush is better…well then I guess we’ll have to go with soft.
Narrator: Correct!
(Women give each other a high five)
Scott Veal, DMD
A hard toothbrush and a medium toothbrush actually cause damage to the structure of the tooth. It can actually cause the removal of enamel. It can cause your gums to recede.
Narrator
Strumming along — on to our next question: What’s the best way to clean and store your toothbrush?:
A. Soak it in an antibacterial mouthwash
B. Put it in the dishwasher
C. Rinse with tap water
D. Store in a covered container
Kids: Rinse with tap water, Rinse with mouthwash.
Girl: Put it in a covered container.
Moms: Can we call a friend.?
Scott Veal, DMD
The answer is C. Rinse with tap water and leave it to air dry.
Kids: Yay! I was right. Liar.
Scott Veal, DMD
If you put it in a dark place, with a moist toothbrush, bacteria loves those kind of areas and bacteria will thrive.
Narrator
A dishwasher can damage your toothbrush. And doctor Veal sees no benefit to soaking the brush in mouthwash. When you leave it out to dry, just make sure it doesn’t touch another brush.
Girl: I brush my teeth and rinse it out with tap water and then I put it back in the cup
Narrator
Drilling down to question number 4, True or False: electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual ones.
Mom: I would think they would be, partly because they’re easier and you would brush longer.
Kids: false, true, false, true, true…come on!
First group of moms: I say true, I say true, well I’m inclined to say False but I’ll go with them.
Scott Veal, DMD
The answer is false. What is more important is the operator. If you have a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, if you use it correctly and brush your teeth for at least two minutes then your teeth should be optimally clean.
Narrator
Chew on this last question: when should you replace your toothbrush?
Girls: three months, three months, two months.
Group of kids: Once a year…once a year? My toothbrush would be green.
First mom: I just don’t think about putting it on the shopping list really.
Narrator
You might want to jot down a reminder to put it on the list…because Dr. Veal says to change that toothbrush every two to three months.
Scott Veal, DMD
As the bristles become worn and begin to splay, they won’t clean your teeth as well.
Narrator
So how did you like our quiz?
Kids: Let’s all agree on this…It was easy.
Narrator
Who had more wisdom about teeth? Depends on who you ask.
Kids: I think the parents did better because they’ve lived longer and they know more than we do.
Moms: I would hope that my kids are paying attention, at school and to their dentist and me and they would know better.
Narrator
And from the mouths of babes….the message to us all:
Kids:
Take good care of your teeth…..(long pause….kids all start laughing)