Choosing the right toothbrush can be confusing; there are many different shapes, sizes and styles of toothbrush available. Toothbrushes should be replaced when they begin to show wear, or alternatively, every three months.
Size
Toothbrushes come in a wide variety of sizes. The best size head for you should allow you easy access to all the surfaces of your teeth. Generally speaking, most adults should opt for a toothbrush head that is around half an inch wide and one inch tall. There are larger and smaller toothbrush heads available to buy, but it may be difficult to clean hard to reach areas like the back teeth, or you may find that you aren’t cleaning as well as you should be. The toothbrush you choose should also have a handle long enough to be held comfortably in your hand.
Bristles
Though it is recommended by professionals to use an electric toothbrush, whether you use manual or electric, you will find a variety of bristles including soft, medium and hard. The majority of people opt for soft-bristled toothbrushes as these tend to be the most comfortable and safest to use. Medium and hard bristled toothbrushes can actually damage our teeth, depending on the way we brush and how strong our teeth are. For extra tooth protection, you should ensure the bristles on your toothbrush are rounded at the tip.
Choose Electric
Electric toothbrushes are proven to do a better job of cleaning teeth, particularly for those who have difficulty brushing. They’re also recommended by dentists; ask yours for a specific brand suggestion. Whilst both manual and electric toothbrushes can effectively clean teeth, powered toothbrushes are often easier and more comfortable to use. Many electric toothbrushes use a unique pattern to remove plaque, reach difficult areas and massage gum tissue- something of which many people fail to do when brushing.
Opt for Brands
Though it’s extremely tempting to buy five no-name, cheap toothbrushes in one package, there could be risks involved with doing so. These products could be made by a manufacturer who isn’t interested in abiding to safety standards or efficiency. In fact, they could be made from materials that are unsafe to use. It is simply not worth the health risk and you should instead opt for a reputable brand that you know, or even one that your dentist has recommended.
Disclosing Tablets
Whatever toothbrush you buy, using it with disclosing tablets could help you to brush and clean your teeth more efficiently. Disclosing tablets are designed to highlight the plaque within our mouths; showing new plaque as red and more harmful plaque as blue. The red stains are easy to clean, whilst the blue stains should be cleaned more thoroughly with the use of mouthwash, interdental brushes, dental floss and an improved brushing technique. Your dentist will be able to help you if you are having trouble removing older plaque from your smile.
At GAP Dental, we have a range of products that could help you to brush your teeth in the most effective way, including MGS disclosing tablets. If you’d like more information, you can get in touch with the GAP Dental team via our contact page or by calling us on 01474 560618.