A Simple Guide to Choosing the Right Toothbrush

As dentists, we think brushing your teeth is naturally very important. It’s so important, in fact, you should do it multiple times a day!

But what is also important is what you brush your teeth with: your toothbrush. Not just any toothbrush will do. There’s a right way and a wrong way to choose a toothbrush that works best for you and your family.

Here’s a simple guide to finding the right toothbrush that will take care of your teeth and keep your smile looking beautiful.

Bristles Matter

Bristles come in a variety of sizes and hardness. For the most part, dentists recommend using softer, rounded bristles. These do a better job of placing less stress on your teeth compared to using hard bristles.

Brushing your teeth too hard – which hard bristles encourage – can actually lead to sensitive teeth. So, it’s best to use softer bristles whenever possible, unless your dentist specifically recommends something different.

Choose the Right Head

Toothbrush heads also come in different sizes and shapes. There’s no one size or shape that fits everyone. You should find one that best fits your mouth. You want to comfortably reach all of your teeth – especially your back molars – and all your surfaces, but doing so may be harder with one shape or size compared to another.

Try out several different brush types until you find one that is a comfortable fit for your mouth.

Invest in a Good Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is a vital tool, and it’s not something that you want to choose randomly or because it’s the cheapest. Going for those dollar-store-brand toothbrushes probably isn’t a good idea. Their quality just isn’t good enough, nor is their durability. Also, there may be efficiency or safety issues.

Invest in a known, respected brand that has a reputation for quality products – even if they cost a bit more.

Try Electric Toothbrushes

You may get a lot more benefit from your toothbrush if it’s a powered, or electric, one. These have become more popular over the past decade because they greatly assist in our brushing efforts.

One big benefit is they help take some of the strain off you compared to manual brushing. We need to brush thoroughly for at least 90 seconds at a time, but sometimes we don’t do that because it’s tiring. An electric toothbrush helps a lot in that area (plus it’s fun to use!).

Need to talk to a dentist? Schedule an appointment and we’ll help you get and keep a healthy, vibrant smile!