FINDING THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH
Today the range of toothbrushes at our local supermarket or pharmacy is enormous.
Choosing a toothbrush should not require an hour of your time or a spreadsheet comparing each feature.
How do you select the right toothbrush to give you a great clean?
Let's discuss the different options so the next time you are purchasing the decision will be easier.
Let's have a look at the different toothbrushes.
Which features make a difference and which ones to choose?
Which features make a difference and which ones to choose?
Soft, Medium or Hard Bristles?
If you look at the range of toothbrushes you will notice that each tooth brush has been rated soft, medium or hard depending on their bristles.
We ALWAYS want to choose a soft bristled brush.
(I am not even sure why toothbrush manufacturers still make the other ones!)
The soft bristles are flexible to reach into more of the cracks and and grooves in our teeth giving a better clean.
Medium or hard bristled toothbrushes can cause microscopic scratches on our teeth that can lead to long term damage to your teeth especially if you are a bit too vigorous with your brushing.
We ALWAYS want to choose a soft bristled brush.
(I am not even sure why toothbrush manufacturers still make the other ones!)
The soft bristles are flexible to reach into more of the cracks and and grooves in our teeth giving a better clean.
Medium or hard bristled toothbrushes can cause microscopic scratches on our teeth that can lead to long term damage to your teeth especially if you are a bit too vigorous with your brushing.
A toothbrush with a small head or large head?
Initially you would think that a large headed toothbrush would clean more teeth as it can cover more surface area but we do not have a flip open head and this large toothbrush needs to fit into all the corners of our mouth.
A small headed toothbrush is the best at reaching all those difficult to reach areas and so it will give you the best clean.
A small headed toothbrush is the best at reaching all those difficult to reach areas and so it will give you the best clean.
Best colour for a toothbrush?
I bet you have not thought about the best colour for your toothbrush - but each member of the household should have a different coloured toothbrush so that it is clear who owns each toothbrush.
Cavity causing bacteria can be passed from person to person if you are sharing or accidently sharing a toothbrush.
Cavity causing bacteria can be passed from person to person if you are sharing or accidently sharing a toothbrush.
Toothbrush Bristles?
There are many different styles of toothbrush bristles from ribbed to dome to flat bristles.
The style of bristle does not matter in choosing a toothbrush, choose whatever you prefer.
The style of bristle does not matter in choosing a toothbrush, choose whatever you prefer.
Toothbrush Handle?
There are many different handles for toothbrushes make sure you choose a handle that will fit your hand. Ie small handle for children and large handle for adults.
There are handles with extra ribbing to help with gripping your toothbrush.
If you have problems with arthritis there are also thicker handles to make holding a toothbrush even easier.
There are handles with extra ribbing to help with gripping your toothbrush.
If you have problems with arthritis there are also thicker handles to make holding a toothbrush even easier.
Electric or Manual Toothbrush?
Electric! Electric! Electric!
I always recommend an electric toothbrush as they clean your teeth so much better than a manual toothbrush.
Save the manual toothbrush for if you are travelling.
I always recommend an electric toothbrush as they clean your teeth so much better than a manual toothbrush.
Save the manual toothbrush for if you are travelling.
How often should you replace your toothbrush?
Toothbrushes whether they are electric or manual should be replaced every 3 months or sooner if they show any wear.
At the beginning of each season (March, June, September & December) replace your toothbrush!
At the beginning of each season (March, June, September & December) replace your toothbrush!
If you have any further questions regarding selecting the right toothbrush or any other dental question please give us a call or send us a message, we would love to help.