As a key part of any dental hygiene routine, your toothbrush plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and clean smile.
Good brushing will help keep your teeth looking brighter and whiter by removing any food particles or bacteria that could build up into dental plaque. That’s why it’s critical to make sure you’ve got the right toothbrush for you, and for the rest of your family as well.
Additionally, whatever style of toothbrush you use, you should be swapping it out for a new one every 3 to 4 months or so. That means you have plenty of opportunities to get the right brush for you, so here are some handy tips to help you out.
Manual or electric?
When it comes to choosing a new toothbrush, you’ll be faced with two choices right at the outset: manual or electric?
There are pros and cons for each option, but ultimately it will depend on your personal preferences and what you feel more comfortable using.
A manual toothbrush is easy and relatively cheap to purchase, and provided you take thorough care during your brushing routine, it can do a great job of cleaning your teeth and gums.
On the other hand, electric toothbrushes can be useful for people who may not be cleaning as efficiently with a manual brush. These are more expensive to purchase initially, but their vigorous brush head motion ensures your teeth get a deep clean every time.
Choosing size and bristle softness
You also have a variety of options for head size and bristle softness. Everyone’s mouth is sized differently, but the important thing is that your brush should be able to manoeuvre easily around your teeth and gums to reach all those difficult spaces.
Bristles are typically soft, medium or hard and you should opt for whatever feels most comfortable. If you tend to get a little too enthusiastic, harder bristles could actually damage your gums so it’s good to keep this in mind.
If you’ve got your brushing routine down pat but need some extra help, talk to your cosmetic dentist about procedures such as teeth whitening or Invisalign to help perfect your smile.
