You use a toothbrush every day, but you probably haven’t stopped to consider which toothbrush is the right one for you. After all, is is your number one tool when maintaining good oral health. It is easy, however, to get distracted by the different labels, brands, advertisements, and claims about effectiveness. When it comes to choosing a toothbrush, sometimes simple is the way to go.

Shape. Do you choose the electric toothbrush with a small, round, rotating head or a the traditional manual toothbrush with a rectangular block of bristles? While many sources say that it’s simply a personal preference and that both are effective if you use the right technique, nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration found that over three months, patients who used the round rotating heads removed 11% more plaque than manual brushers. However, if you are active in your brushing and make sure you choose a toothbrush with a narrow head if you have a small mouth, you should be fine.

Size. While there’s no one-size-fits-all toothbrush, toothbrushes that are too large can miss plaque buildup in tight spots between teeth and hard-to-reach areas behind your teeth. Your toothbrush should allow you to clean around the back of your last top molar easily.

Bristles. Try to buy soft or extra soft toothbrushes. Many people think that hard bristled brushed will clean better, but because the bristles don’t bend they can miss areas under the gums and between teeth that have extra plaque built up. Because these brushes are also harder on your gums, you might experience enhanced gum bleeding if you choose a hard-bristled toothbrush.

Handle. Fancy, padded handles that seem to be designed for perfection are actually completely useless unless you actually hold them better. Otherwise, there is no impact on how well you brush your teeth.

How often should you toothbrush shop? If you’ve had the same brush for over four months, it’s time to throw it in the trash. Many people use the same brush for up to a year, under the impression that because it looks clean and they keep it in a case it is fine. However, the bristles wear out and become less effective at removing plaque, food particles, and bacteria. This puts your mouth at risk for diseases and bacteria buildups. Keep the previous factors in mind when you go shopping for your new toothbrush, and if you have additional questions about your toothbrush and how to take care of your teeth, make sure to call Greenspoint Dental today.