Choosing and Caring for Your Toothbrush

Did you realize you will most likely spend more than 1,000 hours cleaning your teeth during your lifetime? Your toothbrush is an essential tool that our dentists in Newcastle hope you use at least twice a day, so it is critical to ensure you select the right toothbrush. Without the proper brush, cleaning your teeth is much harder and is less likely to be effective, but given the wide selection available, choosing a toothbrush can seem a little daunting.

The reality is that almost any brush will work well for you provided it feels comfortable to hold and that you brush your teeth properly and for the full two minutes each time. Most people, without a timer, will only brush their teeth for less than one minute but you need at least two minutes to reach all your tooth surfaces effectively and to remove dental plaque that contains cavity-causing bacteria.

Listed below are some simple guidelines to help you choose the correct toothbrush.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush Bristles

Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles, as contrary to what you might think, hard bristles won’t clean your teeth any more effectively and can damage your teeth and gums. If you use a hard-bristled brush, it can cause gum recession in Clarington and could even wear away tooth enamel.

Choose the Right Toothbrush Head Size

It’s important to buy a toothbrush with a head that will fit right to the back of your mouth so you can clean your back teeth easily. People with very small mouths may find a child-sized toothbrush more comfortable.

Manual or Electric?

Electric toothbrushes won’t clean your teeth any more effectively than a manual brush as it’s all about using the right technique. However, electric toothbrushes can have some nice features that make it easier to clean your teeth effectively. For example, they usually have built-in timers that make it simpler to know when you have brushed for the full two minutes. Some even have pressure sensors or other programs to massage your gums or help whiten teeth. If you think an electric toothbrush will encourage you to clean your teeth more frequently and for the right length of time, it’s a good investment.

When Are Electric Toothbrushes Are a Better Choice?

If you have any problems with holding a toothbrush comfortably, an electric toothbrush can be much easier to manipulate. Also, people with misaligned teeth or those who are wearing braces may find an electric toothbrush helps them to clean their teeth more thoroughly. However, if you do have problems holding a manual toothbrush but don’t fancy using an electric toothbrush, you can always try wrapping the handle with a tennis grip to make it easier to hold securely.

Caring for Your Toothbrush

Make sure you replace your toothbrush as soon as its bristles start to look worn or splayed. This is generally every two or three months. Trying to make your toothbrush last longer is a false economy as a worn-out brush won’t clean your teeth effectively. Also, it may be worth replacing your toothbrush if you have been ill.

When using your toothbrush, make sure you rinse it thoroughly afterwards and place it somewhere where the air can circulate freely around it as a damp toothbrush the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. It probably goes without saying that you should never share your toothbrush with anybody, as you’ll just be swapping potentially harmful bacteria.

If you are ever unsure about which toothbrush to use or would like some advice on tooth-brushing techniques in Courtice, please ask our friendly dental team next time you visit us here at West Bowmanville Family Dental.

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