Having good oral hygiene is a priority for most people. With so many different types of toothbrushes to choose from, how do you know which one will suit you best? Are disposable or manual toothbrushes sufficient, or does the best cleaning come from electric spinning or vibrating models? If electric toothbrushes are not currently in your budget, which manualtoothbrush is the best to use?
We are constantly reminded that regular brushing is one of the best ways to achieve good oral hygiene and clean teeth. A toothbrush is designed to help remove and reduce plaque from the surface of your teeth and keep your gums and tongue clean. Regular, properly performed brushing is effective with either a manual or electric toothbrush. With such a large variety of toothbrushes to choose from, we can’t really tell you which is the very best, but we can share some insight into important characteristics to look for in a toothbrush.
The size of the head of your toothbrush is important for both children and adults. You need to make sure that you can easily fit the toothbrush head into all areas of your mouth. A toothbrush with a large head may not be able to access back teeth or inside bottom teeth very well. A common and effective size toothbrush for adults is ½ inch wide and 1 inch tall. Children should use a toothbrush designed for smaller mouths and smaller teeth. Soft bristle brushes with rounded tips are most commonly recommended for children and adults. Medium to hard bristles can actually damage the root and enamel of your teeth if used too aggressively.
A toothbrush with the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Approval is important to look for when purchasing a toothbrush. We suggest finding a toothbrush that you like to use with soft bristles and a properly sized head, and keep on brushing at least twice a day.
