A couple of decades ago, people didn’t have many choices when it came to cleaning their teeth. You could either use the old-fashioned toothbrushes made with horsehair or chewing sticks. Fast forward to the 21st century, there are so many options that it’s even becoming difficult to choose one. To help you narrow down to the best choice, here are a couple of tips to guide you.
How are you to find the one that’s best for you? We’d like to offer a few tips to narrow things down.
Opt for Soft Bristles
Household chores have taught us to put our faith in hard bristle brushes. These clean stains faster, and you won’t have to use a lot of elbow grease. When choosing a toothbrush, forget about this narrative. A hard bristle brush will damage your gums. As a matter of fact, it’s the leading cause of gum recession. To avoid that, always go for soft bristle toothbrushes.
Choose an Electric over a Manual Toothbrush?
Thanks to technological advancements, electric toothbrushes have made the process of cleaning teeth easier and better. They are gentler than their counterparts. Unlike traditional toothbrushes, electric ones are more effective at cleaning plaque and accessing hard-to-reach areas. Another advantage of an electric toothbrush is that it lowers the risk of gingivitis.
Okay, but What Kind of Electric Toothbrush?
If an electric toothbrush sounds like something worth trying, there are still a lot to choose from. The two main varieties are oscillating and sonic brushes. Oscillating brushes spin rapidly, while sonic brushes vibrate side to side. They both work great! The most effective ones tend to be on the pricey side, but if you’d like our recommendation, just ask the next time you come see us!
Toothbrush Care and Maintenance is Crucial
When you finally find the best toothbrush for cleaning your teeth, remember to take proper care of it. This ensures that it serves you to the best of its abilities and lasts longer. The first form of toothbrush care is related to storage. Please avoid putting the brush in a case, not unless you are traveling. This prevents the toothbrush from drying. The best mode of storage is placing a toothbrush in an upright position so that it can dry in between uses. A toothbrush enclosed in a case remains damp, and this is the ideal breeding ground for germs. Also, don’t forget to replace the toothbrush when the bristles start to bend. This usually happens after a couple of months.
Brushing three times a day is essential, as it removes plaque and prevents cavities. The bristle action of a toothbrush won’t whiten teeth, though, and even whitening toothpastes can only have a limited effect on the surface of teeth.
Learn How to Use a Toothbrush
Having the best toothbrush for you is one part of the equation, and taking good care of it is another, but the most important thing is to maintain a good routine by brushing twice a day for two full minutes. Even the fanciest toothbrush can only prevent tooth decay effectively when it’s being put to good use. If you have any questions about which toothbrush to choose, just let us know!
The last part of the equation is having a good dentist!
Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Answers to common questions
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease (periodontal disease) that causes irritation, redness and swelling (inflammation) of your gingiva, the part of your gum around the base of your teeth. It’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. Gingivitis can lead to much more serious gum disease called periodontitis and tooth loss.
The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. Good oral health habits, such as brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily and getting regular dental checkups, can help prevent and reverse gingivitis.
What is gum recession?
Gum recession is the process in which the margin of the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth wears away, or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth, or the tooth’s root. When gum recession occurs, “pockets,” or gaps, form between the teeth and gum line, making it easy for disease-causing bacteria to build up. If left untreated, the supporting tissue and bone structures of the teeth can be severely damaged, and may ultimately result in tooth loss.
