toothbrushes

The toothbrush is the key cog to maintaining good oral hygiene at home, so it's important that you select the one that best gets the job done - not the one that's the cheapest or most convenient. After all, dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice per day as part of an overall quality at-home oral hygiene plan. So with that being said, just what qualities should you be looking for in a good toothbrush? Here's a look at some key factors, such as the type of bristle, the electric vs. conventional debate and handle type.

Bristle Type

While toothbrushes with nylon bristles are most common, the strength of the bristles varies. Generally, toothbrushes are available in soft, medium and hard bristle varieties. Which one is best? Most dental professionals say that you should select a toothbrush with soft bristles, as these are efficient in removing plaque and tartar from the teeth and aren't likely to damage the gums, root surface and tooth enamel as toothbrushes with medium and hard bristles are more apt to do. As a bonus tip, be sure that the bristles on your toothbrush have rounded tips.

Electric vs. Conventional

There are two main types of toothbrushes available to consumers these days - the conventional type, where you need to manually brush, and the electric type, which does the brushing for you. While many have moved to the electric style toothbrushes under the belief that they're more effective, studies actually indicate that there isn't a significant difference in an electric toothbrush's ability to remove plaque and tartar compared to a conventional one's. However, electric toothbrushes are more convenient and easier to use for those with limited mobility. The big disadvantage of electric toothbrushes, however, is that they're often much more expensive than manual models - and you still need to regularly purchase replacement brush heads. The bottom line is to choose whichever toothbrush works best for you - just make sure whichever model you choose has the ADA Seal of Approval.

Handle

Various handle types are now available on toothbrushes these days, such as non-slip grip or flexible neck. When it comes to this feature of a toothbrush, dentists advise to simply select the handle type that works best for you.

Replacing your Toothbrush

Toothbrushes aren't designed to be long-lasting. That's because they endure considerable wear and tear against your teeth twice a day and the bristles can wear down. That's why dentists recommend either switching out your toothbrush - or brush heads in the case of an electric model - either every three months or when the bristles become noticeably worn down. Not only can a worn toothbrush not do an adequate job of cleaning the teeth, but it can also potentially damage the gum tissue. As a bonus tip, you should also change out your toothbrush or brush head after you've gotten over a cold, as germs and bacteria can build up on the bristles and lead to potential reinfection.

For more information on selecting the right toothbrush, contact Kanehl Dental today.