Which toothbrush is right for me?
As we move into a new season, now is a great time to replace your toothbrush! Your toothbrush should be replaced regularly, and a great way to remember to do this is to change it every time we change seasons. So if you haven’t replaced your toothbrush yet, now is a great time to think about doing so.
But before you do – there is a little more to it than just grabbing the cheapest one off the shelf at the supermarket. Similarly, reaching for the most expensive brush with an angled head, raised bristles, and oscillating tufts also may not be the best fit!
Here are some things to consider for when it is time to replace your toothbrush.
Finding a comfortable brush
Since the average person can spend up to 1,000 hours brushing their teeth over a lifetime, it’s important to find a toothbrush that feels comfortable and works well. This is because it is important to brush your teeth correctly – which means brushing them for long enough. Most people brush for less than a minute, but to effectively reach all areas of your mouth and scrub off cavity-causing bacteria, you should brush for at least 2-3 minutes, at least twice daily. So long as your brush feels comfortable to do so, this shouldn’t be a problem – hence the importance.
Soft vs Hard bristles
The toothbrush that you choose should have soft bristles. Hard bristles can cause gum tissue to pull back from teeth, which can expose the tooth root and lead to increased sensitivity to heat, cold or certain foods and drinks.
Electric vs Standard
Electric toothbrushes don’t clean teeth any better than regular toothbrushes. However, the novelty of electric toothbrushes often motivate people to brush their teeth more often – and for longer. So if an electric toothbrush has you brushing your teeth twice daily for 2-3 minutes instead of 1, then it is well worth the investment.
Having said that, electric toothbrushes can be better choices for anyone who may need assistance brushing teeth, including people with arthritis (or any condition that may limit mobility), anyone wearing braces or people with misaligned or uneven teeth surfaces that make a thorough cleaning more challenging.
How often to replace
As we’ve mentioned above, seasonally (4 times a year) is a good guide. But you should replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush) as soon as the bristles begin to look worn or frayed. A toothbrush can’t clean your teeth as readily when its bristles are frayed and worn. And we also recommend that you replace your toothbrush after any big illness (where bacteria may still be present in the bristles).
What toothbrush is best for children?
Three things to consider when selecting a toothbrush for a child are; soft bristles ensure the head of the toothbrush isn’t too large to fit in the child’s mouth (most children’s brushes take this into consideration) a large handle that is easy for the child to grip and hold onto.
I have arthritis – what toothbrushes are available that make it easier to grasp?
Toothbrush handles are small, making the toothbrush hard to hold if you have joint stiffness and limited range of motion. This article and list of modified toothbrushes can be used also if you have a shoulder, arm and or hand injury. Having a restricting range of movement due to such injuries can make brushing and flossing difficult.
What kind of sustainable options are out there for toothbrushing?
Bamboo toothbrushes are a great option, and as part of our sustainability mission we sell the Colgate Bamboo toothrbushes in reception at Newmarket Family Dental Care. Don’t forget, when you are done with your tooth brush, they make great tools for cleaning the small hard-to-clean spaces around the taps, sinks and shower seals in your bathroom!
Still unsure which toothbrush is best for you? Dr Carolyn and the team are happy to advise you at your next consultation. Newmarket Family Dental Care also stocks a range of Oral B toothbrushes at reception, and we can talk you through each of the options we have available.