Choosing a toothbrush should be simple, right?
But if you’ve ever wandered down a toothbrush aisle, the dizzying array of brands, choices, and styles out there is enough to confuse anyone.
To make sure to pick a good one to guarantee a winning smile., here are several tips from Dr. Davé to help you select the right toothbrush.
Go for soft bristles
Believe it or not, when it comes to a great toothbrush, the softer the better.
While you might think that stiff, hard bristles will do a better job at removing plaque and food particles from your teeth, harder toothbrushes can sometimes do more harm than good.
Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristle toothbrush may not only wreak havoc on your gums but also damage tooth enamel.
Select a toothbrush head that fits your mouth size
When you are choosing a toothbrush, make sure to pick one with the appropriate head size.
If you choose a toothbrush with a head that is too large for your mouth, you might not be able to properly brush those hard-to-reach areas, increasing the chance of cavities and other oral health risks.
Get a handle on the handle
Don’t get sucked in by glitzy colours or funky toothbrush designs. For comfortable and effective teeth cleaning, choose a toothbrush handle that suits your unique needs.
Here are three handle designs that can be helpful:
- Straight handle with a flat edge – Helps reduce gum pain while brushing
- Bent handle – Allows for better mobility for difficult-to-reach areas like the back of second molars
- Handle with ridges – Allows for better grip for individuals with big or small hands or weaker hand muscles.
Pick your price
It’s true what they say, you really do get what you pay for—and toothbrushes are no exception.
Don’t trust your oral health care with any generic brand toothbrush. Paying a little more for a higher-quality toothbrush can make a difference in a more thorough teeth-cleaning experience.
Choose manual or electric
No matter what you’ve heard, there’s not much difference between an electric toothbrush and a manual one. But for those people who have range-of-motion issues like arthritis, a powered toothbrush can make your life—and brushing your teeth—a lot easier.
Picking the right toothbrush can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Following the above tips will go a long way to having a healthy, happy smile.
