One incredibly important aspect of your oral health routine is using the right toothbrush to keep your teeth looking their best. But what makes one toothbrush better than another? There are several factors you should consider when looking for the right toothbrush to ensure it meets your unique oral health needs.
At Avenues Dentistry, we understand how important it is to use the right brush to ensure your brightest smile every day. If you are considering trying out a new toothbrush but aren’t sure what features to look for in your new brush, keep reading to see what we recommend for your teeth.
The Importance of Using the Right Toothbrush
While you might not think your toothbrush makes a substantial difference in your oral health, it can play a major role in the health and well-being of your teeth. Choosing a brush with especially hard bristles may scrape away at your enamel, leading to increased sensitivity and cavity development. If you’ve dealt with oral health problems in the past, it is important that you find a brush that suits your teeth well enough to keep them safe from recurring damage.
Tips to Choose the Right Toothbrush
1. Consider an Electric Toothbrush
If you are trying to choose the right toothbrush, you may want to consider looking into electric brush options. An electric toothbrush offers more consistent and thorough cleaning compared to manual brushes. This can help you remove tough, stuck-on tartar and plaque. They also often come with a built-in timer, ensuring that you are brushing your teeth for an appropriate amount of time. If you’ve dealt with cavities and tooth decay in the past, an electric toothbrush might be the right toothbrush for you.
2. Find a Good Shape
When trying to find the right toothbrush for your mouth, you should try to find a brush that fits comfortably in your mouth. Young children may not be able to comfortably use a toothbrush with a large brush head, while smaller toothbrushes may make tooth brushing more time-consuming. However, a small toothbrush head may make it easier to reach the nooks and crannies in your mouth. If you have a hard time cleaning your molars, consider choosing a brush with a small head to ensure the best clean possible.
3. Pick the Right Bristle
As we mentioned previously, using a toothbrush with firmer bristles may not be beneficial to your teeth, making it essential that you find the right toothbrush for your current oral health. If you have especially sensitive teeth or worn-down enamel, it is important that you stray away from brushes with firm bristles, as they will exacerbate the problem. Hard bristle brushes, however, are a great way to ensure your dental implants or prosthetics are free from plaque and tartar. If you aren’t sure what bristle texture is best for your teeth, talk to your dentist at your next cleaning.
4. Handle Design
When your toothbrush fits comfortably in your hand, it is much easier to maneuver and control while brushing. If you want to ensure you are using the right toothbrush, you might want to consider one that is lightweight in your hand and features grips to make holding it much easier. If your toothbrush is too heavy or difficult to hold, you are far less likely to brush your teeth for the recommended 2 minutes and might find yourself dealing with more substantial oral health deterioration.
Other Factors to Consider
There are several other factors to consider to help you choose the right toothbrush for your mouth. In addition to oral health conditions, such as weakened enamel and tooth decay, you should consider orthodontic treatments. If you have braces, you might want to consider incorporating a toothbrush with a small head into your oral health routine.
If you choose to incorporate one of these smaller toothbrushes into your routine, you can make it easier to clean hard-to-reach areas in your mouth, including your back molars and in-between brackets. You may also want to incorporate interdental brushes to ensure you can reach between your brackets and wires, guaranteeing your freshest smile.
How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?
While it is incredibly important to choose the right toothbrush, it is also important to know when to throw it out and find a replacement. You should be replacing your toothbrush at least once every 3 to 4 months. If it has been a while since you’ve replaced your toothbrush, throw out the old one and find a new one with soft, fresh bristles.
You may also want to consider throwing out your toothbrush if you’ve been especially sick recently. Some viruses can live on the surface of your toothbrush for up to 4 days, leading to recurring sickness. If you can’t seem to get better, your toothbrush might be to blame, and it is definitely time to replace it.
Caring for Your Teeth with Avenues Dental
As important as the right toothbrush is for your teeth, it is also important to schedule regular appointments with a reliable dental team to ensure your teeth look their very best. At Avenues Dentistry, our team of expert dentists and dental hygienists has years of experience helping patients across Northern Utah through a variety of oral health conditions.
From dental cleanings and emergency dentistry to veneers, teeth whitening, and much more, our team provides a variety of services to meet your unique oral health needs. If you want to schedule a dental cleaning with our team or you have questions about the services we provide, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.