It is important, when looking for a new toothbrush, that you are purchasing the right one for you. What might be a right fit for your friend might not be for you and so you can’t always go on personal recommendations. Instead, you should do some research into which toothbrush, or toothbrush head, would be ideal for you. First and foremost, it needs to do an excellent job of cleaning your teeth, above other things like whitening.
You can also buy models that are designed for sensitive teeth, so ask yourself which of the aforementioned properties are a priority in terms of your personal oral health. If you are not sure, then make sure you ask your dentist for some specialist advice. If, however, you know which toothbrush you would like, but are not sure where to go from there, then here are a few tips for choosing the right toothbrush:
1. Choose a toothbrush head with the right bristle firmness for you
Typically, both electric toothbrush heads and manual toothbrushes are made with nylon bristles, but they come in a range of different firmness levels, much like a mattress, and they range from soft or medium to hard. You might think that extra firm bristles will do the best job when it comes to cleaning your teeth, but they can actually be quite harsh on other parts of your mouth, like your tongue or gums.
Usually, it’s recommended that you choose bristles with soft-medium firmness, especially if you have issues with bleeding gums or tooth sensitivity. Not to mention, hard bristles can cause you to, gradually, wear off your natural tooth enamel. However, you should not opt for extremely soft bristles as it won’t be effective enough to remove plaque and debris from your teeth.
There are also some eco-friendly toothbrushes available, if you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint with a manual toothbrush, and these are made with, most often, a bamboo handle and bristles that are made from Arak tree roots.
However, in terms of hygiene and effectiveness when it comes to cleaning your teeth, these eco-friendly toothbrushes don’t do as good of a job as a conventional plastic and nylon alternative. If you are looking to cut your carbon footprint slightly, then invest in a good quality electric toothbrush instead.
2. Consider the ergonomic design of your toothbrush
You should brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day at the very least. Two minutes might not seem like a long time, but it is when you’re doing something repetitive, such as cleaning your teeth. As such, you want to make sure that the handle of the toothbrush is as comfortable and as ergonomic as possible.
This is to help prevent you dropping the toothbrush or developing blisters or sores on the hands, in extreme cases. If, however, you have mobility issues when it comes to your hands, such as arthritis, then an electric toothbrush would be far more beneficial than a manual one.
This is because an electric alternative will do all of the work for you, so all you have to do is move it across the surface of your teeth and gently across your gums and tongue. There are several electric toothbrush models on the market with easy-grip, ergonomically-designed handles for those who find gripping things difficult, especially for long periods of time.
3. The toothbrush must be the right size for either a child or an adult
Of course, the toothbrush you choose must be the right size for the user. You cannot give a child an adult-sized toothbrush and vice-a-versa. This is because the toothbrush head needs to have full access to, and cover the surface of, all of your teeth. Generally, adults will opt for a toothbrush head that spans, roughly, around an inch tall and half an inch wide.
But if you have an electric toothbrush and you’re on the hunt for a new head, then choosing the right option for you can be a bit more tricky. There are toothbrush heads on the market that are specifically designed for cleaning, whitening, accessing hard-to-reach areas, those with sensitive teeth or even people who are suffering with gum disease. If you are not sure which one to choose, then make sure you ask your dentist for some professional, expert advice.
4. Often, you get what you pay for
Where it might be tempting to choose a toothbrush that is an “own-brand”, you should, instead, consider stretching your budget to cover toothbrushes that are made by reputable manufacturers on the market, such as Colgate or Oral-B. Not only will you find the quality of the product itself is much higher, but the firmness and integrity of the bristles will be much improved and it will also be far more comfortable for you to use, especially when held in the hand. If you can, choose an electric toothbrush over a manual one, but if your budget can’t cover that, then you can find branded manual alternatives for as little as £1.25.
5. Think about switching to an electric toothbrush over a manual one
Not everyone has the budget to purchase an electric toothbrush, especially when you consider how much some of them can cost. However, you can buy an electric toothbrush for a reasonable price, starting at just £40 for a branded model. Where you might think that an electric toothbrush is a bit of a waste of money when you can do the same job manually, there are actually quite a few benefits to be had by opting for a good quality electric toothbrush.
7 benefits of an electric toothbrush
- They are more effective at removing plaque and debris from hard-to-reach areas
- They are great for those with limited mobility
- They come with built-in timers, so you know you’re brushing your teeth for long enough without having to set a timer of your own, therefore saving time
- It means less single-use waste
- It can improve oral health for those with braces and other orthodontic appliances
- They are fun for children to use, meaning they might actually look forward to brushing their teeth – a good habit to instil in them
- They are far more gentle on the gums and tongue
Quorn Dental Practice and Implant Clinic is pleased to provide patients throughout Loughborough and the surrounding areas with expert dental services that will ensure the health and integrity of your teeth. From cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth whitening and dental veneers, to specialist care, such as endodontics, periodontics and orthodontics, and everything in between, you will always be able to count on our professional, fully-qualified team to perform unrivalled dental procedures and check-ups that will give you absolute peace of mind. For more information about how we can help you today, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team – we’re always happy to hear from you.
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