Breaking Down Bristles: The Best Toothbrushes For Optimal Health

You might think that picking a toothbrush is a simple task, but there are many varieties on the market. When staring down an aisle with hundreds of choices, what do you look for when choosing? Here are some tips for choosing the best toothbrush for your oral health routine.

Manual Toothbrush

A manual toothbrush is likely the style you’re most familiar with. It’s common to receive one after you visit a dentist for a biannual cleaning. The handle comes in a few shapes and sizes but the bristles come in three types.

Soft Bristles

Soft bristles are the most often recommended type by dentists. These are the best at cleaning the plaque off the surface of your teeth without hurting the enamel or your gums. These bristles are especially helpful to those who tend to brush with too much pressure since this causes receding or damaged gums. You can tell if you’re applying too much pressure by looking at the bristles and seeing if they are frayed out or flattened down onto the toothbrush’s head.

Medium Bristles

Medium toothbrushes are becoming more difficult to find as many dentists believe that they are too harsh for the average person. Although soft and medium toothbrushes are proven to have the same plaque-cleaning benefits, the medium toothbrush tends to remove too much enamel and damages the tooth more than a soft-bristled toothbrush. However, a medium toothbrush can work well for those who do not have much upper arm strength and can not apply the right amount of pressure to thoroughly clean the teeth with a soft-bristled brush.

Firm Bristles

It is only in very rare cases that a dentist will recommend a firm bristled toothbrush for everyday use. This is why they are so difficult to find at the store. However, there are some cases that warrant a stronger touch. For example, if you have severe staining and use a firm bristled brush regularly to combat those stains. Alternatively, if you have removable dentures, a firm brush can help you get a better clean without causing damage to your natural gums.

Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush has a higher price tag but it’s often recommended by most dental professionals because it provides a superior clean over a manual toothbrush. An electric toothbrush comes in three different types.

Angled Brush Head

Angled toothbrush heads provide a great advantage for reaching the backside of your teeth, especially for the front teeth in your upper and lower arches. It is common for people to have tartar build up in these areas because they are harder to clean with a standard toothbrush head. This is especially true for those with permanent, lingual retainers bonded to the backs of their teeth. It takes extra time and attention to floss these areas, leading to plaque and tartar buildup.

Compact Brush Head

A compact toothbrush head is exactly as it sounds. It is smaller and therefore has fewer bristles. For children, teens, and young adults, or those with smaller mouths, these compact heads can be easier to fit in the mouth and maneuver around the teeth and gums. They work especially well in the back of the mouth near the molars, and on the back of the teeth where it can be harder to clean.

Full-Size Brush Head

A full-size brush head offers more coverage and more bristles so you might think you’re able to get a more efficient clean with them. Although some dentists will recommend a smaller brush head to get a more targeted clean, those with larger mouths often prefer a full-size brush head. This is also true for those with dexterity limitations, such as the elderly or those that have suffered a hand, wrist, or arm injury.

Contact Us

Vero Implants & Periodontics specializes in Vero Beach specializes in caring for the foundation and overall oral health care. If you’ve been looking for a periodontist in Vero Beach, FL, contact us today. We can discuss your current concerns, your smile goals, and schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Brown to develop a treatment plan.