If you’ve stopped by the oral care aisle in your supermarket lately, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the plethora of toothbrush choices on the shelf. But choosing the right toothbrush is more important than what you might realize. Especially if you have a history of tooth decay and periodontal disease.
No, firm-bristled brushes do not clean your teeth better. They can actually cause permanent damage to your gum tissues and tooth enamel. Instead, select one with soft, flexible bristles that bend easily and are gentler on your oral tissues.
Select the Correct Brush Head
Using too large of a toothbrush will prevent it from reaching tighter curved spaces, skipping over teeth entirely. If you have a smaller mouth, choose a smaller toothbrush.
Budget toothbrushes may not look very different from their counterparts, but the microscopic surfaces on the tips of the bristles do. Some cheap toothbrush brands have rough, jagged surfaces that can irritate your gum tissues.
Cleaning your teeth with an electric toothbrush allows for better plaque removal and tissue stimulation. Since electric brushes make thousands of strokes per minute, they have the potential to remove far more bacteria than you will if you’re brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush.
It’s important that you brush twice a day, especially along the gumlines where plaque tends to be heaviest. Be sure you have a brush that’s comfortable to use and stick with it.
When in doubt, you can always ask for your dentist or dental hygienist’s toothbrush recommendations. Once you find one that works well, be sure to use it at least twice a day for two minutes at a time.