936 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 4W2

Get directions (Type “Here” if on phone):
   

Blog

How to Pick the Right Toothbrush for You

Brushing your teeth is an important step in maintaining good dental hygiene. It helps you prevent your teeth from getting cavities and other dental diseases. Replacing your toothbrush when it’s old or worn is part of a good oral regimen — but what kind of toothbrush should you choose? Should you get one that’s the same type and brand as your old toothbrush? Or would it be better to switch it up and try something new or different?

The toothbrush you use can affect your oral health. But before you read about the 11 mistakes to avoid when brushing your teeth, here are a few things to keep in mind the next time you purchase your new toothbrush:

Types of Toothbrushes

Each toothbrush type has its own unique features.

  • Manual Toothbrush

How to Pick the Right Toothbrush for You

This is the type of toothbrush you can usually see being sold in groceries and pharmacies. It is the most common and basic type. It comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, colour, and bristle angles and firmness.

Manual toothbrush handles can also be made using different types of materials, mostly plastic. However, the call for sustainability has lead companies to look for alternatives. Now, toothbrushes made of bamboo are becoming a popular eco-friendly choice.

  • Electric Toothbrush

How to Pick the Right Toothbrush for You

The electric toothbrush is the type of toothbrush that automatically oscillates and rotates its head. Using it, you don’t need to put much manual effort when you’re brushing. Electric toothbrush heads are also removable. When the bristles are worn, you can replace them easily without needing to purchase a new handle.

This toothbrush needs power for it to work. It can either be rechargeable or battery-powered. Additionally, some electric toothbrushes come with a timer. It acts as a guide so that you’re sure you are brushing your teeth for at least 2 minutes.

Electric toothbrushes are continuously being redesigned and improved — some even have Bluetooth connectivity. Here are a few types of electric toothbrushes:

    • Side-to-side vibration, which moves laterally
    • Circular, with a brush that rotates in a single direction
    • Rotation oscillation, which has a brush head that rotates in one direction then another
    • Counter oscillation, with adjacent groups of brushes rotating independently, first in one direction then in another
    • Ultrasonic, which has bristles vibrating at a frequency greater than 20 kHz
    • Ionic, which has a brush sends an electrical charge meant to dislodge dental plaque

 

  • End-Tuft Toothbrush

The end-tuft brush is a type of toothbrush that is designed to clean specific parts of your teeth, such as the third molar (or wisdom teeth). An end-tuft toothbrush can also help clean the areas adjacent to missing teeth and around dentures and dental implants.

Its structure is similar to a manual toothbrush, but its head consists of trimmed soft bristles. Its purpose is to help the center bristles that are left untrimmed to reach deeper areas a manual toothbrush cannot.

  • Interdental Toothbrush

The interdental toothbrush is a special type of toothbrush that focuses on cleaning the areas or gaps between the teeth. It helps remove food debris that might be stuck there. It also cleans between teeth and the wires of dental braces.

It also has a unique physical design as it looks different from the previous toothbrushes. The interdental toothbrush has only a small brush with a small handle. Additionally, the size of the brush will also depend on the size of the gap between the teeth.

Bristle Firmness

How to Pick the Right Toothbrush for You

The next step is to think about bristles. Generally, you also need to think about the type of bristles you want your toothbrush to have. There are 3 types of bristles:

  • Soft

This type of bristles is what most dentists would recommend. Since the bristles are soft, you are less likely to damage your teeth and gums as you remove plaque and clean your teeth.

  • Medium

Toothbrushes with medium bristles can help with the removal of food particles. Medium bristles are also stiffer than soft bristles. However, you need to take caution. Even if these are not as firm as hard bristles, it has the potential to damage your teeth.

  • Hard/Firm

Avoid this hard-bristled brushes if you tend to brush quite vigorously. At first, you might think that the firmer the bristles are, the more they can remove bacteria and germs. However, hard bristles don’t necessarily mean a better clean. On the contrary, you might end up damaging the enamel of your teeth and tearing your gums and make them bleed.

Head Size

Size is another thing to consider when choosing your toothbrush. Choose a brush head that can comfortably fit in your mouth. You should not experience any difficulty while brushing. Additionally, the size of the toothbrush head should allow you to reach the back of your mouth.

Price

How to Pick the Right Toothbrush for You

You also have to think about your budget for buying a new toothbrush. Each kind of toothbrush has its own perks and features, which will be reflected in its price. For example, the cost of a manual toothbrush is lower compared to an electric one.

If you are willing to invest more money into your dental care, you can take advantage of the additional cleaning power of an electric toothbrush. However, a manual toothbrush can do the job if used properly so you don’t have to spend on a fancier one.

Personal Preference

You need to think about which toothbrush you feel most comfortable using. Would you like to use an electric toothbrush? Or does a manual toothbrush do the job for you?

People who have issues with mobility might prefer the battery-powered variety because it helps them clean their teeth much easier. Meanwhile, a suitable toothbrush for kids would be one that is child-sized and has soft bristles.

Pick one that suits you best. The more you like using your toothbrush, the more you are likely to brush your teeth well.

Consult Your Dentist

How to Pick the Right Toothbrush for You

Selecting the right toothbrush can aid you in improving your dental health. However, because of the staggering number of options available in your local supermarkets, it can be confusing and overwhelming. Before buying one, consider the factors we’ve listed and/or consult your dentist. Going this extra mile ensures that you choose the product that best suits you.

If you have a dental emergency, give Simcoe Smile Dental a call at (289) 312-1482 or email smile@simcoesmiledental.com. Please leave your detailed message, along with your name and contact number, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Related Post