Brushing your teeth frequently removes plaque, a transparent coating on your teeth and gums that holds bacteria. Excess buildup of plaque in your mouth will result in cavities and serious gum infections. To remove this plaque successfully, you have to use the right toothbrush. In this article, you’ll learn how to buy a good toothbrush.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Toothbrush
Brush Head and Handle
Your toothbrush should have a head that enables you to easily access all corners of your mouth. If the head is too big, it’ll prevent the bristles from accessing the tight spaces in your mouth like your molars. Dental experts recommend you buy a toothbrush whose head is one-inch-long and half-an-inch thick because it’ll allow you to brush the front, back, and top of your teeth without a problem.
The size and shape of the handle of your toothbrush also matter a lot. It shouldn’t be too thick or too thin. Instead, it should be long and thick enough to grip comfortably. If the handle is too short, you will struggle to brush the hard-to-reach areas and your hand will get tired quickly before the recommended two-minute brushing period is over.
Bristles
There are three main types of toothbrush bristles: soft, medium, and hard. Soft nylon bristles are highly recommended for people with weak and sensitive teeth because they don’t cause any serious damage to the enamel. If you take too many sugary or acidic foods and drinks, you should choose a toothbrush with soft bristles because these foods tend to weaken your enamel and gums. So, only use the medium and hard bristles when your dentist advises you to.
Please note that toothbrush bristles are either rounded or straight. Your oral health largely depends on the type and shape of bristles of your toothbrush. Most dentists advise their patients to use toothbrushes with rounded bristles because they don’t damage gums. Straight bristles have pointed tips that will damage your gum.
ADA Approval
Before you buy your toothbrush, make sure it has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). Aside from helping dentists succeed, this association also supports the development of better oral health solutions for the public. So, make sure the toothbrush you pick from the shelf has the ADA Seal of Approval.
Manual Vs Electric
The advancing technology has led to the creation of electric toothbrushes. Both electric and manual brushes do a great job if used properly. So, your choice depends on your personal preference.
