toothbrushes

Who knew there could be so many toothbrushes to choose from? Everyone who has ever stood in the crowded toothbrush aisle, that’s who! If you’re like most people, you want to do right by your teeth, so you spend a lot of time trying to pick the best type and brush hardness. If you’re at a loss as to which choice to make, this article is for you.

History of the Toothbrush

The modern toothbrush didn’t make its appearance until 1938 but examples of the dental tool go back to 3000 BC. Early versions were “chewing sticks” make of fibers and frayed wood. By the 1400s the Chinese fashioned a device made of bone or bamboo with boar-hair bristles. The English made their own variant in 1780. In the U.S. toothbrushes were made with animal hair until the invention of nylon in the early 1900s. Today there are more than 3,000 patents for toothbrushes in the U.S., including electric versions. That’s a lot of choices!

Understanding Manual Toothbrushes 

There’s no overstating how important it is to brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Some people prefer the good old-fashioned manual ones. Over a lifetime, you spend about 38 days brushing your teeth, so knowing how to pick the right toothbrush is key to a healthy mouth and beautiful smile.

  • Hardness. Soft bristles are best for the majority of people, mainly because many of us brush our teeth more vigorously than we need to. A soft brush prevents damage to tooth enamel.
  • Shape. Rectangle, round, oval, and diamond shaped heads all work to get your teeth clean. Choose one that’s both small enough to easily reach harder spots but large enough to cover at least two teeth at a time.
  • Bristle pattern. Brushes reconfigured from the traditional flat ones are believed to work better at getting between your teeth. A block pattern is functional enough, but a wavy or multi-level version is a better option for reaching both your teeth and the surrounding areas.

Manual toothbrushes should be replaced every three months or whenever the bristles get frayed.

Understanding Electric Toothbrushes 

Introduced in the 1960s, powered toothbrushes mimic the motion of manual toothbrushes with either rotational, lateral, or oscillating movements of the bristles. Some studies indicate they’re better at removing more plaque, particularly those that oscillate.

  • Spin brushes have small round heads that rotate over 40,000 times per minute. That’s a lot of plaque disruption!
  • Standard brushes are a step up from powered models and use oscillating and rotating motions. They’re a great choice for travel and for deciding if a more expensive model is right for you.  
  • Sonic and Ultra Sonic models don’t rotate; rather, their large, flat brush heads use an ultrasonic vibrational energy to disrupt plaque. Some versions include timers and pressure sensors.
  • Smart toothbrushes use Bluetooth technology to let you track your brushing habits on any device.

Talk to Your Dentist

Gum disease is a menacing foe, especially as you age, and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Daily brushing, along with flossing and rinsing, keeps your gums and teeth as healthy as possible.

To schedule a dental checkup and learn more about choosing the right toothbrush for your needs, contact Kanehl Dental Group today.