Eeny, meeny, miny, moe… with so many choices lining the dental care aisle of your local supermarket, it can be hard to choose the perfect toothbrush for you.
It’s tempting to just pick one toothbrush at random and just stick with it.
It’s a brush, it’ll do, right? After all, what harm could it do?
While it isn’t a dental emergency, choosing the wrong toothbrush for your teeth can still have consequences for your oral health.
Yep, you heard us right!
Unfortunately, many people simply don’t know what to look for or simply underestimate the importance of the right toothbrush.
Luckily, our dentists in Malvern are here to help you out, arming you with the tips you need to make the right choice for your oral health.
Everything you need to think about when buying a toothbrush
Question #1: Why does it even matter?
Simple: the brush you choose impacts how well you’re able to brush your teeth.
And that in turn affects your ability to get rid of plaque and bacteria, and fight off all the different oral health problems that accompany them.
The right toothbrush cleans and knowing the right way to brush, it can reach all areas of your teeth.
More importantly, it does so without causing unnecessary pain or aggravating your gums.
Choose the wrong brush, and dental hygiene goes from comfortable brushing to “let’s just get this over with”, and you start cutting corners to avoid discomfort.
Question #2: What type of toothbrush should I use?
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to choosing the right toothbrush is choosing from all the different shapes, sizes and types available.
Toothbrush brands will advertise their “unique brush shape” and things like that, making it very hard to figure out which one’s right for you.
While this can have an effect, if you ask our Armadale dentists however, the most important thing is the bristles.
Believe it or not, out of soft, medium and hard bristles, it’s actually soft bristles that appear to be the most effective at removing dirt and plaque plus and getting into hard-to-reach areas.
Not only that, but it’s a lot more pleasant to use as well!
In addition to the bristles, you’ll also want to choose one that is easy to hold and manoeuvre and allows you to comfortably take the time to clean your teeth, gums, and tongue.
Question #3: How often should I change my toothbrush?
Every three months!
Really, that’s as far as you should stretch it. Beyond three months, your brush can pick up bacteria and germs – especially if you get a flu or a cold during that period.
Your toothbrush can easily and often collect germs; that\’s why it is important to change them to prevent any infection.
Not only that, but the bristles themselves can also wear out and start pointing in all sorts of different directions, stopping them from being able to effectively clean and polish your teeth.
Easy tip: buy a new toothbrush on the first day of a new season. When the seasons change, you’ll know that it’s time to replace your brush!
In this article, our Malvern dentist discussed the common things you do wrong when brushing your teeth and how to properly brush your teeth.
Question #4: What is the best toothbrush for children?
Teaching your child to pick up good oral practices starts while they’re young. Doing this not only keeps their young teeth healthy, but also helps develop good habits as they grow up.
And it all starts by choosing the right toothbrush.
Naturally, children’s teeth are more sensitive than adults’ – and since we’re talking about kids here, it’s crucial that the experience is painless and as pleasant as possible.
That means brushes with:
- Soft bristles
- Small heads
- Cool designs and colours to encourage good habits
One of the best ways for them to build a habit of brushing is to find a toothbrush that they will enjoy using.
Question #5: Electric vs. manual toothbrushes
In a head-to-head match between electric and manual toothbrushes, electric wins almost every single time!
Simply put, the motion of an electric toothbrush is much more effective at loosening plaque and stains – if you tried to get the same results with a manual brush, you’d be left with some very tired wrists.
This isn’t just our dentists making things up, either – according to several studies, electric toothbrushes:
- Reduce gingivitis by 11% compared to manual brushes
- Reduce plaque by a whopping 21%
Question #6: is it OK to share a toothbrush?
Absolutely not!
Sharing may be caring – but not when it comes to a toothbrush.
It’s never a good idea to share a toothbrush with others, as it leaves you prone to oral problems such as:
- Tooth decay
- Gingivitis
- Other gum problems
Remember what we said above when talking about how toothbrushes need to be replaced to avoid all the nasty germs and bacteria that they trap? This is doubly true when it comes to sharing a toothbrush.
Sharing a brush wears it out faster, and traps even more nasties in the bristles.
Not only that, but it’s also plain unhygienic – something that we’re sure you’re much more sensitive to given the current circumstances!
Question #7: How should you store your toothbrush?
Germs and bacteria thrive in damp environments. So when choosing an area to store your toothbrush, always choose one that is airy and dry.
Whatever you do, don’t opt for closed containers or cabinets, as bacteria and germs can easily thrive in these conditions. That means the medicine cabinet behind your mirror is actually a bad choice when it comes to storing your brush.
Our dentists in Armadale recommend using a toothbrush holder to store your toothbrushes, as it lets the bristles air out and dry easily.
And finally, don’t forget to clean and disinfect your toothbrush holders regularly.
Take care of your oral health – start by choosing the right toothbrush!
Got any tooth and gum problems? Contact our dental clinic in Armadale today
It’s the little things that determine how well you’re able to maintain your oral health – including your choice of toothbrush.
Unsure where to begin? Luckily, we’re here to help.
Our dentists in Armadale help you understand every aspect of your oral health, from small things like toothbrush choice and brushing technique, all the way up to urgent dental emergencies.
Dental Care Group is a family dental clinic located in Malvern and surrounds. With a mix of modern techniques and good old-fashioned friendliness, we provide an experience that’s pleasant, painless, and anxiety-free on every front.
Contact Dental Care Group at (03) 9509 1500 or schedule an appointment with us today.
