Is Your Toothbrush Good Enough?

We have all kinds of choices that we must make through the course of our lifetime. This might be whether you want chocolate or vanilla ice cream. But some of our choices will require a bit of research to allow us to make the best decision possible. For example, if you need to take a quick jaunt into the drug store to grab a “simple” toothbrush, you will find yourself facing rows and rows of toothbrushes in various colors, styles, shapes and sizes. It’s almost hard to believe there is such a selection for just 32 teeth!

Houston orthodontist, Dr. Karotkin wants your dental hygiene to be at its best and recommends readers to learn how to choose the right toothbrush.

Your Toothbrush is Important

To be honest, choosing the right toothbrush isn’t a trivial matter. In fact, it’s very important that you choose a toothbrush that gets your teeth and mouth clean as well as keeping it healthy. Do you know if your toothbrush is good enough? Below are some tips that will help you find a toothbrush that is good enough for you and help you make the toothbrush selection process at the drug store a lot easier.

Good Oral Hygiene

It’s a known fact that good oral hygiene is a lot more than just keeping your teeth white. It involves decreasing your risk of gum disease, which is also linked to the development of health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, as reported by Colgate.

What Type of Bristle?

When choosing the best toothbrush, some people mistakenly think that they need a hard bristle toothbrush to clean better, just as you would have a harder brush to clean your home with. But, very unlike your kitchen floors, your mouth is happier when you choose a toothbrush that has softer nylon bristles. Almost all dental professionals recommend softer-bristled brushes to remove debris and plaque from your teeth.

The Purpose of Your Toothbrush

The purpose of your toothbrush is to simply clean your teeth, not to get your gums bleeding. Using a brush with hard bristles can irritate your gums, damage your enamel and root surface. A medium nylon bristle is a better brush than a hard bristle brush, but they aren’t good if you brush too vigorously. Always go for the softer bristle. Additionally, you should always use a soft bristle brush for baby and children’s teeth.

The Size of Your Toothbrush

Size does matter with your toothbrush. Those with smaller heads work better because they reach every little space inside of your mouth including those hard to reach back teeth. Try to find a toothbrush that has bristles with a rounded tip to protect your gums and teeth, and always find one that fits your hand well.