It’s one of the most commonly asked questions in dental practices across the nation: What’s the best toothbrush for me?
Unfortunately, there’s no one right answer. Here are a few things to consider if you find yourself wondering what kind of toothbrush you should be using to maximize your oral hygiene routine.
Are you heavy-handed?
When you think about scrubbing and cleaning, it seems like forceful, deep strokes would be the obvious choice to get things as clean as possible. When it comes to your teeth, though, be gentle. Brushing too vigorously can damage your gums and even cause them to pull away from teeth. If you know you’re a heavy-handed brusher, choose brushes with ultra-soft or soft bristles.
Some electric toothbrushes even have settings that will slow down motion if too much pressure is applied to help those with a powerful hand find good balance.
How big or small is your mouth?
This may sound funny, but the size of the brush in relation to your mouth does matter. You wouldn’t buy a small child an adult toothbrush because it wouldn’t be able to effectively clean each area thoroughly. The same applies for all brushes and ages.
Choose a brush that looks like it will be comfortable in your mouth while giving you enough room to move around in every direction. Since you should be replacing it every three months or after an illness, you can try a little trial and error until you find one that’s a perfect fit.
Invest in electric.
Most electric toothbrushes boast anywhere from 6,000 to 30,000 strokes per minute. For people who don’t usually spend the full two to three minutes brushing their teeth, this can make a big difference in their oral healthy by getting more accomplished in a short time.
Most kids seem to love the high-powered electric toothbrushes, especially the ones with popular characters, and anything that encourages them to enjoy their oral hygiene routine is a win in our book.
Anyone with mobility issues, especially arthritis, can also benefit from the use of an electric toothbrush. The brush does the work for you and is often better at reaching hard-to-access areas.
Every dentist has his or her own favorites, and these recommendations may change over time as research is published and new products hit the market. For the most up-to-date recommendations, call us today at 858-866-9692 to schedule a cleaning and exam and discuss your unique situation with Dr. Abelar.
