When to Replace a Toothbrush
The easiest way to tell whether a brush still works is to look at its bristles.
Look at the bristles, not the calendar
The bristles of a new brush stand upright and together, so they enter the narrow space between gum and tooth where cleaning matters most. Over time they splay outwards and their tips round off; from then on the brush only sweeps the broad surfaces while plaque stays at the margin. The same time and care produce a poorer result, so replace by appearance, not by date.
Signs that it is time
- Bristles splayed beyond the edge of the head
- The colour indicator has faded or gone
- Bristles crushed and their tips flattened
- The gum margin still feels rough after brushing
- Review it at three months even if it looks fine
- It has been kept covered in a damp place for long
Storage can matter more than choice
Rinse the brush well, shake off the water and leave it upright in open air to dry; a closed case or plastic cap keeps it damp. Brushes sharing a holder should not touch. On bristle hardness the common expectation is wrong: hard bristles do not clean better and contribute to root abrasion and recession. Soft bristles suit most adults.
Getting Here, Booking and Emergencies from Fevzi Cakmak
Route, booking and emergency arrangements for patients from Fevzi Cakmak.
Getting here from Fevzi Cakmak
Fevzi Çakmak lies in the Kepez district of Antalya; Kepez is one of the central districts, about 6 kilometres from the clinic. We also see patients from neighbouring areas that share the route from Fevzi Cakmak, such as Yavuz Selim, Zafer, Altınova Sinan, Başköy. You can ask for the location on WhatsApp when travelling from Fevzi Cakmak.
Appointments for Fevzi Cakmak
At this distance, splitting treatment into visits is no problem for patients from Fevzi Çakmak, and attending reviews is easy too. As with patients from Kepez generally, appointments for families from Fevzi Cakmak can be scheduled consecutively.
Emergencies from Fevzi Cakmak
Setting out from Fevzi Çakmak at night is quick; come without delay in an emergency, and calling as you leave means preparation is done in advance. For patients coming from Dental Clinic in Fevzi Cakmak, the clinic is open 24/7 and in an emergency the order is set by severity rather than arrival time. For spreading facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or toothache with fever, go to the nearest emergency department.
Bottle Caries: Early Childhood Decay
Sugary liquid remaining in a baby's mouth for long periods produces rapidly advancing decay in the front teeth. The problem arises less from the liquid itself than from how long it stays in the mouth.
Why night is critical
Saliva flow falls to its lowest during sleep. Saliva is the natural defence that neutralises acid and repairs the tooth; when it drops, protection disappears. In a baby put to sleep with a bottle, liquid pools behind the upper front teeth and stays there for hours. The damage therefore begins on the back surfaces of the upper front teeth and goes unnoticed for a long time.
Habits that carry risk
These are common and can be changed:
- Putting the child to sleep with a bottle — any liquid but water, milk included
- A bottle or sippy cup carried around all day
- Dipping a dummy in honey, jam or sugar
- Frequent night feeding without cleaning after the teeth have erupted
- Sharing spoons — decay-causing bacteria pass from parent to child
The early sign: a white line
The first sign is not a cavity but a dull white line near the gum. Mineral loss has begun at that stage but the surface has not yet collapsed, and it can be reversed with fluoride and dietary change. Browning and breakdown mark the advanced stage. This is why check-ups are advised from the first tooth.
