Your Guide For Choosing A Toothbrush Best Suited For You
Hard Vs. Soft Toothbrushes
The Canadian Dental Association recommends the use of soft bristle toothbrushes over hard bristle toothbrushes. Although it may seem like hard bristle toothbrushes will clean your teeth better, soft bristles will get the same job done without damaging your enamel or gums. If you brush hard, medium to hard bristled toothbrushes can cause damage to your gums and strip away your enamel causing sensitivity problems. Your toothbrush bristles should also have rounded tips to gently brush your teeth and prevent damage from occurring to your gums and teeth. If you brush your teeth too hard and with too hard of bristles, you will be more susceptible to gum recession and tooth decay.
Manual Vs. Electrical Toothbrushes
Although most electric toothbrushes come with prestigious recommendations, manual brushing works just as well. Both electric and manual toothbrushes can effectively clean your teeth with proper brushing techniques. Electric toothbrushes are preferred by people who do not brush their teeth as long as they should or are recommended to by their dentist. Some people do not like the feel of electric toothbrushes on their teeth or their mouth and opt for manual brushing instead. Cost is another important factor to consider since electric toothbrushes can be pricey. In addition to the upfront costs of an electric toothbrush, they still require you to change the head once every three months. If the cost and feeling of electric toothbrushes are not for you, then opt for manual brushing instead as it is still just as effective.
Size, Shape, And Overall Quality Of The Toothbrush
When choosing a toothbrush it is important to buy one from a reputable brand. The quality, size, and shape of your toothbrush make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your toothbrushing. While the cheap, no-name brands can be tempting to purchase, a proper toothbrush is an investment in your overall health. Bargain toothbrushes do not follow the same manufacturing standards as other reputable brands and may shed bristles or not have rounded bristle tips to ensure no damage occurs to your teeth or gums.
As for the shape of your toothbrush head, there is no standard shape that works better than others. Whether the head is oval, round, or rectangular, the best choice for you is whatever fits best in your mouth and what you find the most comfortable. The size of the toothbrush head will make a difference. The smaller the head of the toothbrush, the more effective it will be at cleaning your teeth. Smaller head sizes can access harder-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth and can clean between your teeth much easier.
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Deciding which toothbrush to buy for yourself is much more complex than choosing which one looks the prettiest on the shelf. You must take all of these considerations into account to ensure you are effectively cleaning your teeth. Pick a toothbrush that is comfortable for you so you can ensure you use it regularly and correctly. And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head if you are using an electric toothbrush) once every three months. If you are still unsure what toothbrush to buy, your dentist can make a recommendation for you at your next dental exam and cleaning.
Marlborough Dental Centre is proud to provide NE Calgary with high-quality, affordable dental care. If you are overdue for a cleaning or need to brighten up your smile, contact us to schedule your appointment today by calling 403-248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.
FAQs
Q: How long should I brush my teeth?
A: The Canadian Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth for two minutes each time you brush.
Q: How often should I brush my teeth?
A: The Canadian Dental Association recommends you brush your teeth at least twice a day.
Q: What is the proper brushing technique?
A: The correct brushing technique requires you to brush the outer surfaces, inner surfaces, and chewing surfaces of your teeth using a 45 degree angle with short, light back and forth strokes.
