The correct toothbrush depends on your age and the current state of your teeth. No matter the optimal choice you can find the correct brush for you at Walgreens or King Soopers Pharmacy here in Colorado Springs.
THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO, PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE MANY Choices FOR KEEPING THEIR TEETH CLEAN. Chewing sticks were used by some people, and early toothbrushes had horsehair bristles. We now have a variety of tools to choose from when it comes to brushing our teeth. How are you going to choose the right one for you? We have a few suggestions to help you narrow things down.
How Stiff Are Those Bristles?
When it comes to cleaning different surfaces around the house, elbow grease is always needed, but leave that idea at the door when it comes to brushing your teeth. Too rough of a brushing can cause significant gum tissue damage. It’s a huge contributor to gum recession! The firmness of the toothbrush bristles also plays a part. That’s why we recommend avoiding firm-bristled toothbrushes in favor of ones with soft bristles.
Stick With Manual or Spring for Electric?
Early electric toothbrushes didn’t clean teeth as well as manual toothbrushes, but modern electric toothbrushes have lived up to the original concept and sometimes outperform their non-electric equivalents, removing more plaque from hard-to-reach locations. Electric toothbrushes can remove up to 21% more plaque than manual toothbrushes, and they can also reduce the risk of gingivitis by 11%!
Okay, but What Kind of Electric Toothbrush?
If an electric toothbrush sounds like something you’d like to do, you have a lot of options. Oscillating and sonic brushes are the two most common types. Sonic brushes vibrate side to side, while oscillating brushes spin quickly. They’re both fantastic! The most powerful ones are usually more expensive, but if you want our recommendation, just ask us the next time you visit the best dentist in Colorado Springs!
Make Sure to Take Good Care Of It!
If you’ve found the perfect toothbrush, make sure to store it properly and replace it (or the head, if it’s electric) on a regular basis. We don’t recommend using toothbrush cases unless you’re traveling; the safest way to store a toothbrush is upright, so it can dry out between uses. It becomes a breeding ground for germs if it remains damp! Then, every few months, replace it, particularly if the bristles become frayed or bent!
It’s not so much about the tool as it is about how you use it.
Having the right toothbrush for you is one thing, and caring for it is another, but the most important thing is to stick to a consistent routine of brushing twice a day for two full minutes. Even the most expensive toothbrush will only successfully avoid tooth decay if it is used properly. Please contact us if you have any concerns about which toothbrush to choose.
When Should I Change My Tooth Brush?
Dr. Holsteen recommends changing your toothbrush at least every three months. If you’re using an electronic toothbrush, make sure to check the recommendation of the type of toothbrush because you may not have to change the head of the brush often. If a patient has gum disease Dr. Holsteen recommends that you change your brush more often than every three months. Also, after brushing it’s very important to wash and rinse your brush out with hot water. This will kill germs and bacteria and keep your toothbrush clean.
The last part of the equation is having a good DDS in Colorado Springs!
