How many times have you walked down the dental care aisle at your local store and become completely overwhelmed by all of the toothbrush options out there? Don’t worry — you’re not alone! There’s soft bristle, medium bristle, hard bristle, electric toothbrushes, charcoal-infused toothbrushes, off-brand — these are just a few of the countless options available out there. To make the decision easier, we’ve rounded up some of the factors you should consider when picking out your next toothbrush.
Bristles
Typically, you will find two bristle options available to you – soft and medium. You may also find hard bristle toothbrushes, however, those are a bit more difficult to find and for a good reason. We don’t recommend picking a toothbrush with medium or hard bristles, especially if you are tend to be rough when brushing your teeth. Medium and hard bristle toothbrushes are very rough on your teeth’s enamel, often damaging the surface, leading to tooth decay later on. Coupled with this, these hard bristles can also cause gum erosion down the line.
Electric toothbrushes vs normal toothbrushes
Another question we often get is whether or not to use an electric toothbrush. This all depends on your brushing style and preference! If you have difficulties getting those hard to reach spots or brushing your teeth for the recommended two minutes, an electric toothbrush may help you get your teeth cleaner than a normal toothbrush. Equally, if you do tend to press hard when brushing, there are electric toothbrushes that come with pressure sensors to discourage the habit and keep your teeth healthy and strong!
Type of handle
When it comes to the type of handle on your toothbrush, there are several options — non-slip, flexible are just a couple that come to mind. We recommend selecting whichever one is most comfortable for you and allows you to get those hard to reach places!
_____
With all of the options available, picking out a new toothbrush can be a daunting task. We hope these tips will help you the next time you’re faced with the choice so you can make the best decision for your dental health. And remember — you should be replacing your toothbrush every 3 months!
