How to Choose the Perfect Toothbrush

When’s the last time you’ve changed your toothbrush? Like most people, you probably haven’t given it too much thought. But the fact is, for most of us – we should be switching out our toothbrushes for new ones, much more frequently than we do. A fresh, clean toothbrush keeps your teeth and gums healthy, and bacteria at bay. So if your bristles are fraying, and showing signs of wear and tear – you should be on the market for a new brush! Check out our top tips in choosing the perfect toothbrush for a perfect smile.

Manual Tooth Brushes

The Bristles: Take a peak at how firm the bristles of the toothbrush are when perusing the oral hygiene aisle. You might notice in stores there are hard, medium and soft bristles. Your best bet are the soft bristles, as stiff, hard ones can damage gum tissue and cause bleeding, especially if you are an aggressive brusher. Hard bristles can cause gums to start to recede – pulling them away from your teeth. What does that mean for you smile? Your roots will become exposed, causing sensitivity and pain.
Head & Handle Size: Your toothbrush shouldn’t gag you! You should be able to move the toothbrush around your mouth without struggle, so it’s important to choose a size that is appropriate for you, or your child’s mouth. A thinner handle is also harder to hold onto for a longer period of time, and not ideal for people with larger hands. Children should use a toothbrush with larger grips, helping them to brush their teeth more effectively – front and back of each tooth!

Electric Toothbrushes

Bristle Movement: Electric toothbrushes do not all move in the same way. Some shift back and forth, others spin in circles! Both options have been shown to be more effective than hand brushing with a manual toothbrush – but you still might have a personal preference as to the right choice for you and your smile.
Timer: You need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day. Having a toothbrush that can keep track of how long you are brushing will help you reach that 120-second benchmark. Without watching the clock, most people really only brush for 30-seconds (or even less!) before deciding they are done.
Extra “Tech-y” Perks – Some brands of electric toothbrushes will tell you when you should change areas in your mouth, sometimes with the toothbrush itself, or with an accompanying app you can download to your smartphone. While this isn’t mandatory to keep your smile healthy and clean, it can be helpful in ensuring that every area of your mouth is getting full attention!

Regardless of your personal preference when it comes to manual or electric toothbrushes – the toothbrush, or head, will need to be replaced on a consistent basis, in order to have the best home care for your smile as possible. We recommend changing your toothbrush every 3 months. Bristles fray, wear down, and bacteria can build up on an old, over-used toothbrush. You might also want to consider changing out toothbrushes if you have been sick, keeping the bugs at bay and starting out fresh. Any questions, ask your dental hygienist or dentist at your next appointment.

To effective toothbrushes and healthy smiles!

– The Ed Lowe Centre for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry