4 steps to choosing the proper toothbrush

By Dr. Sheila Strock on June 7, 2022 in General oral health

When searching for toothbrushes, do you place a lot thought into what’s greatest for you or your kids? Right here’s why it is best to: Your toothbrush is usually a main think about serving to you sweep extra successfully and making your oral hygiene routine extra nice.

Comply with these 4 steps for selecting your subsequent toothbrush.  

1. Determine between a handbook or powered toothbrush.

In case you brush appropriately with fluoride toothpaste, each kinds of toothbrushes could be efficient. An electrical or battery powered toothbrush could also be most well-liked when you have issue dealing with a handbook toothbrush. You may additionally wish to benefit from particular options on a powered toothbrush, corresponding to a timer to make sure you’re brushing for no less than two minutes or a strain indicator that allows you to know in case you’re brushing too exhausting.

Nevertheless, if price is an element, handbook toothbrushes are often cheaper than their powered counterparts. Needless to say you will want to exchange your toothbrush or toothbrush head about each three months. 

When you ought to brush for no less than two minutes every time, the typical brushing session solely lasts 45 seconds.1

2. Choose a soft-bristled brush.

Not solely does a soft-bristled toothbrush do a superb job of eradicating plaque and particles however it’s additionally simpler in your gums and enamel than a toothbrush with stiffer bristles. The American Dental Affiliation recommends soft-bristled brushes with angled or multi-layered bristles to get a superb clear with out harming your tooth.

3. Think about a small head (generally). 

A toothbrush with a small head might enable you to clear your hard-to-reach again tooth. An ordinary-sized handbook toothbrush head that’s a half-inch large and one-inch tall works for most individuals. Nevertheless, folks with bigger mouths might discover a bigger head toothbrush to be a greater match.

Electrical toothbrush heads are typically smaller than handbook toothbrush heads and should have totally different speeds for these with delicate tooth. 

4. Decide in case you want a particular deal with.

Your toothbrush deal with must be simple so that you can grip and maneuver round your mouth. When you have issue with an ordinary deal with, you could wish to contemplate a thicker deal with, a deal with with a non-slip grip or a toothbrush assist that slips on the deal with, making it simpler to grip. An angled or flexible-neck deal with might make it simpler so that you can attain your whole tooth. 

No matter which toothbrush you choose, be sure that to get a brand new toothbrush or toothbrush head each three to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. A brand new toothbrush might take away as much as 30% extra plaque than one that’s three months outdated.2

Finally, selecting a toothbrush you want will make you extra inclined to brush for the complete two minutes really helpful twice a day. 

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1 American Dental Affiliation

2 Oral-B