How to select a toothbrush (2024)

FAQs

How to select a toothbrush? ›

Any toothbrush you choose should have soft bristles. Soft-bristled toothbrushes are more gentle on your teeth and gums, especially if you have soft gums or enamel erosion. Brushing with a hard-bristled brush can remove more plaque, but also wear away at your enamel if excessive force is applied.

Bristle firmness – Soft bristles are often best and recommended by dentists since they reduce the risk of damaging tooth enamel. Handle size and grip – Choose a handle that is comfortable to hold while brushing. Generally, kids should have shorter and fatter handles, while adults can use longer handles.

Here's what you should look for: Most UK dental professionals agree that a medium-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they are better at reaching all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth.

Although toothbrush heads do have some variation in bristle texture, dentists are more likely to recommend softer ones and less likely to recommend harder ones. A softer-bristled toothbrush is less likely to damage your teeth and your gums if you brush vigorously.

Although toothbrushes with medium bristles have been shown to be effective at biofilm removal, the ADA recommends use of a toothbrush with soft bristles because they minimize the risk of gingival abrasion.

She recommends soft bristles which are more flexible and able to reach everywhere in your mouth while also being softer on your gums. Dr. Pezzullo echoes this sentiment, stating that most, if not all, people can benefit from soft bristles.

If you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, and you use a fluoridated, ADA-approved toothpaste, the answer is no: the type of toothbrush you use will have a minimal effect on your oral health. But most people do not brush their teeth properly, or for the recommended amount of time.

Look at factors such as the size of the brush head (it should easily fit into your mouth and reach all areas), bristle variety (soft bristles are generally recommended by dentists to prevent enamel wear), handle design (for comfortable grip and control) and added functionalities, especially in electric models like ...

How can you tell the quality of a toothbrush? ›

Soft bristle toothbrushes are the most often recommended by dentists because they are gentle on teeth and gums while being able to remove bacteria and plaque. This is a brush that is useful for both children and adults and is able to brush close to the gum without irritation.

Dental professionals recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes because too much pressure or overzealous brushing can negatively impact the enamel and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes with angled or multi-layer bristles to ensure an excellent clean without harming your teeth.

Takeaway. When you're looking to protect your tooth enamel, brushing right after you wake up in the morning is better than brushing your teeth after breakfast. If you have to brush your teeth after breakfast, try to wait at least 30 minutes before you brush.

For instance, if a patient has good dental health with no serious underlying problems then Colgate Total is often a good choice. The new Oral-B Pro Expert could also prove its worth for such patients. For patients with sensitive teeth, brands such as Sensodyne Pro Enamel might be better investments.

However, Sonicare toothbrushes use sonic technology, which vibrates at high frequencies to remove plaque. Many dentists vouch for Sonicare's effectiveness, but Oral-B's rotating-oscillating technology has its legion of fans too. It often comes down to personal preference.

Unless your dentist tells you otherwise, there's no reason to buy hard-bristled toothbrushes. Even medium-bristled toothbrushes aren't really needed. Stick with soft bristles. As long as you use proper brushing technique, they'll get your teeth just as clean as the harder bristles.

When it comes to keeping teeth and gums healthy, a soft-bristled toothbrush is usually the go-to recommendation.

If you have sensitive teeth or gum disease, a soft toothbrush may be best for you. If you have healthy teeth and gums and want a toothbrush that is effective at removing plaque and food particles, a medium or hard toothbrush may be a better choice.

Oral-B® Electric Toothbrushes deliver up to 48,800 movements per minute, while a regular manual toothbrush can only deliver 300 to 600 movements per minute. The Oral-B Pro 1000 removes 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush.