A good quality Toothbrush is essential for excellent oral hygiene and using it regularly is one of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy. The first toothbrushes with nylon bristles were invented in the 1930s, and at that stage, consumers had very few options. Nowadays it’s very different, and there is a confusing choice of manual and electric toothbrushes for sale. Whichever toothbrush you choose, there are a few things you should always look for.

What to Look for When Choosing a Toothbrush
One of the most important things is the size of the toothbrush head. It might seem as if a larger toothbrush head is better, but you should choose a smaller sized toothbrush head to make sure it will fit right to the back of your mouth, so that you can clean around those tricky-to-reach molars. Most adults will find a toothbrush head approximately 2 cm tall and 1 cm wide the easiest to use. If your mouth is quite small, consider buying a child-sized brush. Make sure your toothbrush has a long enough handle, so it’s easy to hold and manipulate.

When selecting the type of bristles on your toothbrush, choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and ensure the bristles are rounded. You don’t need a hard-bristled toothbrush to get your teeth thoroughly clean, and it could even damage your teeth. Dentists in Ajax frequently see people who have brushed their teeth so hard that they have worn away their gums and even their tooth enamel. Proper toothbrushing is all down to using the correct technique!

Manual or Electric?
Should you pick a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush? If you prefer to use a manual toothbrush, then there’s no reason why you can’t, but make sure you use the correct brushing technique. When used correctly a manual toothbrush should clean your teeth perfectly well. You do need to brush your teeth for at least two minutes so if you prefer to use a manual brush then keep a small timer in your bathroom or use the timer on your smartphone. It’s incredibly easy to overestimate those two minutes!

There are some reasonably priced electric toothbrushes, but some are quite expensive, but this is an essential item that you use twice a day. An electric toothbrush might be worth the cost if it helps you to keep your teeth cleaner, potentially reducing your dentist costs in Whitby. Electric toothbrushes can include a range of built-in features including a timer which makes it super easy to brush for the correct length of time, and settings to massage your gums or to help whiten your teeth. Some people like the vibrating action of an electric toothbrush while others find it a little strange and hard to get used to initially. An electric toothbrush can be a worthwhile purchase if you have any conditions that limit your dexterity such as arthritis.

Looking after Your Toothbrush
After using your toothbrush, rinse it thoroughly in running water to remove any excess toothpaste or food debris. Store it in an upright position where the air can circulate freely around the brush and make sure it doesn’t touch anyone else’s toothbrush. Damp toothbrushes harbour vast amounts of bacteria, so the sooner you can dry your brush the better. Change your toothbrush every three months or sooner if it begins to look worn.

Don’t forget, if you’d like more information on tooth brushing techniques then our Oshawa dentist is here to help! Ask us for advice on your next visit to Margolian Dentistry.