What Type Of Toothbrush Is Best For You?

Our toothbrush is the most integral part of our oral hygiene. It also became everyone’s ingrained habit that even puts brushing your teeth as the best example of building better habits. With all the developments in dentistry today, there are now a lot of types of toothbrushes in the market.

If you’re consider ing to level up your dental hygiene, it’s worth checking if it’s time to buy a new toothbrush. According to ADA, we should replace our toothbrush every three to four months. However, standing in front of a rack full of toothbrushes, selecting the best type for you is a tough call. Here’s a list of the toothbrush features to make your selection easier.

5 Features of toothbrushes to consider in choosing your toothbrush

These criteria will help you identify the features that make the best toothbrush for you. According to experts, you should look for the following:

• Head size: A small rounded toothbrush head is best in cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth like the back and chewing surfaces of your molars.
• Handle: Long and sturdy toothbrush handles help the toothbrush withstand the usual brushing.
• Bristles: Clear and soft bristles help prevent gum and tooth enamel damage.
• Safety: The toothbrush brand must have an ADA Seal of Acceptance to make sure it passed stringent quality control. The bristles should also have rounded tips and don’t fall out.
• Comfort: Above all else, your toothbrush must be comfortable to use. It would also be best if the design inspires you to brush your teeth often.

If you’re suffering from a dental problem, the features above might not be suitable for you. Going to the dentist will help you know the real status of your oral health and the best type of dental hygiene tool to use in boosting your oral hygiene.

Different Types of Toothbrush

We listed these types of toothbrushes so you don’t get too overwhelmed with the plenty of choices you can find almost anywhere. Three types of toothbrushes include:

1. Electric or powered toothbrush

An electric toothbrush is a type of motorized toothbrush that makes fast bristle movements. The brush heads are moving back and forth producing 48,000 motions per minute.

You can tell the type of electric toothbrush by the motion it produces. These motions include:

• Side-to-side vibration
• Counter oscillation
• Rotation oscillation
• Circular
• Ultrasonic
• Ionic

How does it work?

An electric toothbrush comes with a base where you can charge it after use. You need to push a button to start using it and notice as if it’s vibrating due to the rapid movement of the brush head. A new pair of brush heads will be the only part that you need to replace every three to four months.

Advantages of using an electric toothbrush

• It is a good investment in effectively getting rid of plaque due to the rapid bristle motions of electric toothbrushes.
• Some electric brushes have a built-in timer with a 30-second pause alert to change the area to clean.
• It’s best for kids who struggle with the thorough cleaning of their teeth.
• People who are injured and have problems with dexterity in hands, wrists, or arms can count on the extra help of electric toothbrushes.

Disadvantages of using an electric toothbrush

• It’s more pricey than the standard toothbrush.
• Without a battery charge, it will not function as intended.
• Due to its base, an electric toothbrush is bulkier and may not be suitable for frequent travelers.

2. Standard or manual toothbrush

The standard toothbrush is a common type of toothbrush that we usually use in brushing our teeth. This dental hygiene tool requires manual effort to clean the teeth. The bristles are made from thin nylon strips, while hard plastic for grip makes the handle.

There are different shapes of toothbrush heads and non-slip grips for this type of toothbrush to improve the quality of brushing. All you need is your hand to use a standard toothbrush and do the brushing techniques in cleaning your teeth.

Advantages of using a standard toothbrush

• It is lightweight and easy to carry anywhere.
• Many toothbrushes have a built-in tongue cleaner at the back of the toothbrush head that is essential in maintaining overall oral hygiene.
• If you use it correctly, it can be as efficient as the electric toothbrush in removing plaque.
• You are free to control the speed and maneuver the toothbrush on any area that you wish to clean.

Disadvantages of using a standard toothbrush

• Without frequent brushing and proper brushing technique, using the standard toothbrush may lead to plaque buildup.
• Due to a weak grip and less pressure, people with hand injuries might not be able to clean their teeth thoroughly.

3. Chewable toothbrush

The chewable toothbrush is the disposable type of toothbrush in the market. It is a small chewable plastic that has various shapes with sugar-free xylitol.

How does it work?

Chewable toothbrushes don’t need water or toothpaste to clean the mouth. Chew it the same way you do with bubblegum. It’s a disposable type of dental hygiene tool so you buy it in bulk with 10-20 pieces per pack.

 Advantages of using a chewable toothbrush

• Chewable toothbrushes are travel-friendly.
• It doesn’t need water or toothpaste to clean your teeth.
• It’s an instant breath freshener.

Disadvantages of using a chewable toothbrush

• It’s prone to swallowing.
• It’s only available for single-use.
• May not be suitable for children.

When it comes to improving your oral health, consistency, and brushing technique make the difference and not only based on the type of toothbrush. You may have the best dental hygiene tools, but if you don’t use them frequently, you won’t reap the best oral health you desire.

Tips for proper brushing of teeth

1. To keep the toothbrush sanitized, place it in the area of the bathroom that gets the most sunlight.
2. Brushing your teeth with too much pressure can damage your gums and tooth enamel. Make sure to brush gently and clean the hard-to-reach areas like the back of your molars.
3. Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes and don’t forget to floss daily.
4. Separate your toothbrush if you are sick to avoid contaminating the toothbrush of other family members.

Dental Cleaning at Dr. Roy Jennings Dentistry

You don’t know what you don’t know and can only have the best solution and preventive measures if you know the state of your oral health. 

Dr. Roy Jennings Dentistry in Monroe offers dental care services to help you get started with proper oral hygiene. If you want to know more about your oral health, schedule an appointment now.