How to Choose a Toothbrush

Choosing a toothbrush? Sounds like an easy enough thing to do. You pick the one in your favorite color or the cheapest one, right? Wrong! Many factors can go into choosing a toothbrush, your dentist can be even more helpful as they know your mouth probably better than you do.

Electric vs. Manual 

This factor can be a matter of preference. As long as your able to spend of few minutes each time you brush, you will be able to get the job done right. However, some dentists would recommend an electric toothbrush as it is better for those with limited dexterity or if they tend to brush too hard. Not only that, but an electric toothbrush can oscillate to get to those hard-to-reach spots you may not get to on your own.

Angled vs. Compact vs. Full-Size heads

An angled toothbrush reaches the inside of your teeth that a normal full-size head can’t typically fit into. Then there are compact brushes that are great for those with smaller mouths or even as one to carry with you if you need to do a quick brush when you’re out and about. Then there are the full-size brushes that are the most common and can suit everyone. However, it doesn’t hurt to experiment with all three!

Bristles

Toothbrushes come in a variety of different bristle styles. There are soft, medium, or hard nylon bristles. Soft bristles tend to be the safest bet as people tend to brush too hard, as the medium and hard bristle will damage the gums and tooth enamel.

Kids Toothbrushes

As a parent, you have to make sure that your child has a toothbrush that is effective with the ADA seal of approval and that it is meant for children, with soft bristles. If they are old enough to understand, have them pick out the toothbrush with you. Make brushing fun by allowing them to not only pick the brush of their favorite cartoon character or color but also by singing songs or brushing teeth as a family.

Picking out a toothbrush doesn’t have to be a complicated matter, after all, there is a whole aisle for you to choose from at your local drug store. You are bound to find something that suits your brushing style, your taste, your health, and even your budget. Your dentist can also be a great source for information on what toothbrush to pick.