There are hundreds of types of toothbrushes. Toothbrushes range in shape, firmness, features, and even mechanical or manual. With so many options, what toothbrush will work best for you? One option is to visit your dentist, or ask at your next appointment. Your dentist can direct you to a toothbrush that will work great for your mouth. But, what if you are not able to visit the dentist soon, and you’re standing in front of an entire aisle of toothbrushes, trying to decide on a type? Here’s a few things to consider if you are looking for your next, best toothbrush.
Firstly, consider the firmness of the bristles. Toothbrushes often come in bristle hardness determined at firm, medium, and soft. Most people will want to use a medium to soft bristled toothbrush, as a firm-bristled toothbrush may do damage to the teeth and the gums. Then consider the head shape. Toothbrush head shape and bristle shape differ widely by brand. Pick a toothbrush that you’ll feel comfortable using, and also look for the ADA—American Dental Association—seal on the package, as this will indicate that this brush meets or exceeds the standards of the ADA. Also, if you are choosing between a mechanical brush and a manual one, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, if you are someone who has difficulty using a toothbrush to clean all areas of the teeth, then maybe a mechanical toothbrush, which usually has some type of spinning or vibrating head, will help you to clean the surfaces of the teeth. A mechanical toothbrush is also a good choice for children, because a child may find the toothbrush to be fun to use, and it will hopefully increase the likelihood of developing a good brushing routine.
A toothbrush isn’t everything, however. Even if you have the best toothbrush equipment made, you can still brush your teeth and gums too hard, removing enamel and damaging gum tissue. So, brush regularly, clean the surface of the teeth, removing that unwanted plaque, but don’t overdo it. If you have any questions about toothbrushes, or the proper way in which you can use them, make an appointment with your dentist.
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