Types of Toothbrushes - Choose the Best Brush for You (2024)

Types of Toothbrushes - Choose the Best Brush for You (1)

  • Choosing the Right Toothbrush
  • Get a Better Clean with an Electric Toothbrush
  • Choosing the Right Toothbrush Head

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Using the right toothbrush can make your daily oral care routine more enjoyable—and more effective.
A toothbrush is personal, which is why they’re available in a variety of sizes and shapes. If you have a large mouth, you may prefer a full-sized toothbrush head. If you have a small mouth, opt for a compact head. And some adults even prefer youth or child-sized toothbrushes because they find them easier to use for brushing behind the back teeth.

If comfort is important, try a toothbrush with a non-slip grip, which makes it easy to use even if wet. Additionally, the handles on many Oral-B toothbrushes have been modeled based on research into the five different ways that people hold their toothbrush while brushing.

A manual toothbrush works well if you are a diligent brusher, but more and more people are opting for electric toothbrushes.

As with a manual toothbrush, the best electric toothbrush for you is the one you like and will use every day. Electric toothbrushes come in different sizes, too. In general, the replaceable heads of electric toothbrushes are smaller than the full-sized head of a manual toothbrush, so if you are used to a full-sized head, the electric toothbrush may take some getting used to.

Get a Better Clean with an Electric Toothbrush

Keep in mind that one of the benefits of the smaller head size on an electric toothbrush is that it is better able to clean each tooth individually and get to the hard-to-reach places of your mouth. Many different styles of brush heads are available, from polishing brush heads to brush heads for sensitive teeth. There are a number of varying bristle movements powered toothbrushes utilize. Oscillating/rotating technology is independently validated as better than manual brushing in reducing plaque and gingivitis.The Oral-B iO Series features the latest technology when it comes to brushing teeth and protecting your gums. The award-winning brush combines powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations with Oral-B’s unique dentist-inspired round brush head for a professional clean feeling.

The bottom line is that if you choose the toothbrush that is the right size and style for your mouth and your oral care needs, you’ll be able to clean your teeth more completely and help prevent bacterial buildup and the development of plaque.Check out Oral-B’s latest deals on top electric toothbrushes to find the one that’s right for you at a limited-time price.

Remember that regular replacement of toothbrushes contributes to maintaining a consistently high level of oral hygiene because clinical research shows a new toothbrush can remove up to 30% more plaque than one that's three months old.*

*Research with a flat trim manual toothbrush.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush Head

One way to be sure that you have the best toothbrush for your needs is to learn about different types of brush heads. The brush head is the top part of the toothbrush where the bristles are attached. You want to choose the type of toothbrush head that fits your mouth and lets you reach all of your teeth.

Some specialized types of brush heads include:

  • Angled: An angled toothbrush head helps reach the insides of your teeth, especially the insides of your lower and upper front teeth. These areas can be susceptible to tartar buildup because, for some people, they’re harder to reach with a standard toothbrush head.

  • Compact vs. Full Size: A compact toothbrush head is smaller than a full-size and has fewer bristles. Some people, especially those with small mouths, find compact heads easier to use. But other people simply prefer a full-size brush head, so you may want to try both and choose the one that works best for you.

  • Extra-soft Bristles: For a gentle yet effective clean, you may want to opt for a brush head with softer bristles like the Oral-B iO Gentle Care**. Its optimized bristle patterns adapt to the curves of your teeth and gums for maximum comfort.

  • Personalized Look and Feel: Toothbrushes can be a great way to further express your unique preferences—specifically in color. The Oral-B iO9 comes in a unique elegant Rose Quartz shade so you can always have a sophisticated, yet effective clean.

  • Whitening Brush Heads: Several Oral-B brush heads are designed to help you whiten your teeth by removing surface stains without damaging your enamel. Find the best whitening toothbrush head for you. The Oral-B 3D White Replacement Brush Head† features a unique polishing cup to gently whiten with end-rounded bristles for a safe, but effective whitening experience.

You’ll also be able to choose brushes that have ergonomichandles or no-slip grips to make them easier to hold, along with a variety ofbristle configurations to help clean around and between teeth, depending onyour trouble spots. Always use a softbristled toothbrush and if you have recession, you may want to consider anextra-soft bristled toothbrush. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush equipped with aSensitive Mode like the Oral-B iO9 which also comes with a Smart Pressure Sensor to better protect yourgums from overbrushing. The Oral-B iO Gentle Care Brush Head is also a great go-to when it comes ensuring agentler clean for teeth and gums.

From Oral-B, the #1dentist-recommended toothbrush brand.

**Compatible with Oral-B iO handles only
†Compatible with all Oral-B handles except iO

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FAQs

Types of Toothbrushes - Choose the Best Brush for You? ›

For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

Which toothbrush is best for effective brushing? ›

The Verdict

A soft bristle toothbrush is the best option because it effectively removes plaque, food, and bacteria debris, but is not hard enough to damage teeth and gums when being used.

Which type of brush is best for teeth? ›

Most dentists will recommend a soft bristle toothbrush as it is the most comfortable and safest option. Depending on how vigorously you brush, softer bristles are easier on the gums, whereas hard bristle brushes can actually damage the gums, root surface and tooth enamel.

What type of toothbrush bristles are recommended for most patients? ›

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.

What kind of toothbrush should be selected? ›

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.

Are oscillating or rotating toothbrushes better? ›

Conclusion: An advanced oscillating-rotating power toothbrush produced substantial, statistically superior reductions in plaque and gingivitis via multiple outcome measures compared to a new sonic toothbrush after both four weeks and 12 weeks of tooth brushing.

Do dentists recommend Oral-B or sonicare? ›

Sonicare's heads are large and flat compared to Oral-B's small round brushes, and they're long-lasting, according to Wellspring Dental dentist Mandy Nebel, who prefers Sonicare over other brands. This specific model — one of two from the brand accepted by the ADA — is a more entry-level Sonicare.

What type of toothbrush should a senior use? ›

Toothbrush. Most dentists recommend electric toothbrushes for elderly patients because they don't require strenuous arm and hand movements. Three intensity settings provide seniors the level necessary for comfort, while removing six times the plaque along the gum line with soft bristles that clean without irritation.

What do dentists recommend for toothbrush? ›

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.

Which toothbrush is best to prevent gum recession? ›

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean Electric Toothbrush.
  • Best Overall Runner Up: Oral-B Genius X Limited.
  • Best for Sensitive Skin: Oral-B iO Series 5.
  • Best with App: Oral-B iO Series 9.
  • Best Affordable: Philips Sonicare 4100 Electric Toothbrush.
  • Best Deep Clean: Philips Electric Toothbrush.
6 days ago

How to pick out a good toothbrush? ›

For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

How to choose toothbrush bristles? ›

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.

How do I find the right toothbrush? ›

What should I look for in a toothbrush?
  1. Head Size. You will see a range of brush heads available, but by choosing a small-headed brush you will have better access to the parts of your mouth that can be trickier to access. ...
  2. Bristle Design. ...
  3. Bristle Firmness. ...
  4. Handle Grip.

What is the most recommended tooth brushing technique? ›

The proper brushing technique is to:

Gently move the brush back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth. To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes.

Which toothbrush removes the most plaque? ›

Top 3 Toothbrushes For Plaque Removal
  • Dr. Brite Sonic Toothbrush-White. ...
  • Philips Sonicare 3 Series Gum Health Electric Toothbrush. It easily and effectively sweeps away plaque and leaves your mouth fresh all day or night. ...
  • The Nimbus Microfine Toothbrush.
Dec 28, 2022

Is Oral-B manual or electric toothbrush better? ›

The Oral-B Pro 1000 removes 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush. Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes use clinically proven superior oscillating/rotating/pulsating technology. The round brush head pulsates to loosen plaque and then oscillates and rotates to sweep the plaque away.

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