Keeping your teeth healthy is important; so important that you have to be extra careful when choosing the type of toothbrush to use. Unfortunately, many persons are unaware of how to choose the right toothbrushes. Recently, a neighbor complained of bleeding gums. We got talking and he revealed that he changed his toothbrush just a few weeks before the bleeding gum incident. He had no idea that there are different toothbrush varieties and each of them has their varying effects on the gum and teeth. Since we both had time on our hands, we decided to spend lunch together, discussing toothbrush varieties outdoors, over a cup of coffee. Here are some of the things I shared with him.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a Toothbrush
There are a number of things that you should consider before setting out to the closest mart to get a toothbrush. Toothbrushes are very personal. They usually come in varieties; each variety is designed to fit a specific oral cavity size and gum type. Some toothbrush varieties have a non-slip grip which makes it easy for you to hold the toothbrushes when brushing. We even have toothbrushes with replaceable heads. There are also electric toothbrushes.
The implication of all these is that there are so many options to choose from. This means that it easy for you to get confused and just pick any variety that appeals to your sight. My neighbor, for instance, told me that he chose his new toothbrush because it was the only brand that came in his favorite color!
Just so you don`t end up picking toothbrushes because they come in your favorite colors, here are 3 important factors you must consider before grabbing your next toothbrush from the store. Let’s get talking.
Bristles
Some toothbrushes have really hard bristles; some others have relatively soft bristles. Toothbrushes with hard bristles can be tough on your gum (unless you have really hard gums). These types of toothbrushes are also less flexible and may not get to the under-gums and the spaces between the teeth. Experts advise that you choose toothbrushes with moderate-textured brittles.
It is also best to opt for toothbrushes with rounded bristles as these brushes offer better protection for your teeth.
Shape and Size of the Head
Unless you have a really large oral cavity, it is advisable to choose a toothbrush with a small head. Small-headed toothbrushes make brushing more convenient as they easily get to all areas of the mouth; including the sides and back of your molars. Persons with small mouths may need to pick baby-size toothbrushes; just to ensure that the head of the toothbrush is small enough to conveniently get to all the areas of their mouths.
Handle
Now, this is highly subjective, yet it`s a factor which cannot be ignored. You should choose a toothbrush that has a handle which is long enough for you to comfortably hold. Also, choose a toothbrush that has a non-slip grip as this will make it much easier for you to reach the back molars when brushing.
Toothbrush Varieties and their Effects
After telling my neighbor a few things he should consider when next he had to go toothbrush shopping, we got some more coffee and discussed different toothbrush varieties and their effects on the teeth.
Toothbrushes can be classified based on the texture of their bristles. In terms of this, we have the soft, medium and hard toothbrushes. Let’s get familiar with them.
Soft Toothbrushes
These are toothbrushes with extremely soft bristles. They are most appropriate for children and persons who have really soft gums. Persons who suffer enamel erosion or have sensitive teeth are also advised to make use of soft or even extra-soft toothbrushes.
Soft toothbrushes make brushing easier and more enjoyable. They help to massage your gums and teeth as you brush. They also reduce the risk of sustaining an injury while brushing your teeth. Such injuries may include enamel damage or bleeding gums. However, for persons with really hard gums, soft brushes may not do justice to cleaning the teeth as you brush.
Using soft brushes helps to improve your overall dental health; strengthening your enamel and making your teeth last longer.
Medium Brushes
These brushes have medium brittle texture and are usually recommended for adults. Adults have more complex feeding habits than children. As such, there may be a lot of bacteria and plaques stuck in their mouths which soft brushes may not be able to remove. This is where the medium toothbrushes come in. Medium toothbrushes, with long bristles, are most appropriate for adults because they have a wider reach within the oral cavity.
However, when using medium toothbrushes, ensure that you avoid vigorous brushing as this can easily damage the enamel of the teeth and cause injury. Medium toothbrushes with short bristles are most appropriate for older children.
Hard Brushes
These brushes are a no-no when it comes to your dental health. Using hard toothbrushes puts you at a greater risk of suffering dental damage. However, if you must use them, be sure to go extra soft on your teeth when brushing to avoid enamel damage.
Toothbrushes can also be classified based on how tech-savvy they are! Thus, we can talk about manual toothbrushes, electronic toothbrushes, and sonic brushes.
Manual Toothbrushes
This needs little or no explanation. Just as the name suggests, manual toothbrushes are those that you have to operate by yourself; by moving your hand up, down and sideways. Manual toothbrushes are the conventional brushes which everyone knows. They are affordable and quite easy to use.
However, using manual toothbrushes means that you will use up more time and more energy brushing. It also means that you have to be really careful when brushing in order to properly remove all the plaques and bacteria in your oral cavity. There are chances you would still miss out a few plaques and bacteria here and there.
Electric Toothbrushes
These toothbrushes guarantee speed, comfort, and effectiveness. Electric toothbrushes allow you to enjoy certain features such as the ability to increase the rate of toothbrush strokes to nearly ten times more than that of a manual brush. They also have rotating bristles that make it easy for them to get to every part of the mouth.
To get the maximum use out of electric toothbrushes, you would need to adhere to the specified guidelines. Of course, you know that this kind of comfort does not come cheap; electric toothbrushes are way more expensive than manual toothbrushes.
Sonic Toothbrushes
The sonic toothbrush takes the entire work out of brushing and gives you maximum comfort. With nearly 30,000 brushing strokes every minute, sonic toothbrushes are the most effective type of toothbrushes.
Now, they are very expensive but if you can afford them, sonic brushes are certainly a worthwhile investment.
Final Words…
My neighbor definitely left lunch more informed. Turns out that the new variety of toothbrush he purchased is too hard for his gum; hence the bleeding gum issue. He promised to head to his dentist for treatment and to get the right toothbrush that works for him.
For me, I think I want to get a sonic toothbrush. Brushing has been a lot of work, lately. What variety of toothbrush works for you? Would you like to go sonic too? Let me know in the comments section. Till next time, do keep your teeth healthy and happy.
