Choosing the right toothbrush is important to ensure your mouth gets cleaned properly. The wrong toothbrush can cause harm to your mouth or may not do its job. A proper toothbrush will clean your teeth but won’t hurt your mouth or cause your gums to bleed. Make sure to look at the following when shopping for a toothbrush.
Manual or Electric?
Manual toothbrushes clean just as well as electric ones if you use them properly. But sometimes, your dentist recommends an electric toothbrush. Dr. Mark Sowell might recommend an electric brush if he notices you need to clean your teeth better during a checkup. Electric toothbrushes are also ideal if you struggle with manual dexterity and have difficulty using a manual brush.
It can be hard to ensure you’re brushing for at least two minutes each time you brush your teeth. If you have trouble tracking time, many electric toothbrushes indicate when you’ve hit two minutes of brushing. Some even signal when you’ve spent 30 seconds brushing in each quadrant of your mouth, ensuring that everything is hit equally.
Electric toothbrushes are also good if you tend to brush too vigorously. If you’re regularly making your gums bleed from brushing and your dentist has ruled out gum disease, a change has to be made. An electric toothbrush still gives you a deep clean, and you don’t have to scrub to make that happen.
Soft Bristles are the Best
While medium and stiff-bristled brushes are available, most dental professionals contend that soft bristles are best for your mouth. These bristles are too hard on your mouth’s soft tissue and enamel. Don’t use anything but soft bristled brushes unless your doctor expressly recommends it.
Look for the Seal
When you’re shopping for any dental products, look for the seal of the American Dental Association. A brush with the ADA seal of acceptance is guaranteed to be a good purchase. The brush is safe and effective, ideal for use. When the ADA presents these seals, its examiners often go above and beyond the government’s standards.
Pick the Size and Handle Ideal for You
In this department, there’s no one size fits all. It has to be comfortable for you. A smaller toothbrush head can get into hard-to-reach areas more easily. These are also ideal if you have a bad gag reflex or a smaller mouth that can be hard for you to brush. Talk to your dentist. They may recommend a toothbrush with a certain bristle pattern.
The handle also has to be something that you’re comfortable with. Typically, a brush with a non-slip grip is universally ideal and makes it easier to brush. Flexible neck handles make it easier to maneuver the toothbrush if you have some dexterity issues.
Schedule An Appointment With Your Plano, Texas Dentist
Dr. Sowell recommends toothbrush brands and types based on a thorough knowledge of your smile. Call us or schedule an appointment online.