How to Select the Right Toothbrush for You
Life requires decisions — from the type of car to drive, occupation/employer to work for, foods and beverages to consume, entertainment choices, and the friends one hangs out with, to the decision of picking the right toothbrush, which will affect the health of your teeth! The manual, rectangular brush head with basic colors has morphed to a dizzying array of choices that would make Goldilocks cry in frustration!
Do not fret or sweat! The ADA (American Dental Association) did most of the investigative work for you. The ADA puts every toothbrush and dental product on the market through many tough clinical trials, including effectiveness in cleaning teeth, the durability of the bristles and the handle grip and most importantly, that the brush can reduce plaque buildup that leads to tooth decay and gum disease by getting into those hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. The first step in the selection of a toothbrush, manual (disposable) or power operated is to look for that all-important ADA approval on the product label.
The second step in selecting a toothbrush is to choose the brush that is motivating enough for someone to want to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, reaching all tooth surfaces using gentle tooth-wide circular strokes. This involves the consideration of subjective issues regarding size, type of bristles, safety and product cost.
Size: Brush heads now come in conventional rectangular or diamond shape. The latter is narrower and allows for ease of brushing the back molars. Handles of an adult toothbrush should be long enough to comfortably hold and maneuver within mouth.
Bristles: Dentists and the ADA agree that a soft-bristled toothbrush with a rounded tip is best to prevent damaging teeth enamel and gum tissue. The design of the bristles vary from block pattern bristles all the same length, wavy or V-shaped bristles to give access to all teeth surfaces, a multi-level bristle pattern to clean in-between, a crisscross pattern with rubber bristles on the side to lift plaque better or multi-level bristles with rubber-like circles in the center that help clean surface stains.
Safety: For better handling of the brush, the ergonomically designed toothbrush with bristles of varying length and ergonomic rubber-like handles will provide a better grip and control when brushing and is particularly useful for people suffering from arthritis.
Cost: The more bells and whistles (specialty design features), the higher the cost. The choice of a manual toothbrush or a costlier power-operated brush is entirely your decision. Buy what you are comfortable with and will use every day, and the savings will be seen in those bi-annual routine dental check-ups and professional cleanings.
Life choices can be mind-boggling, but as for what toothbrush is best, do not negate the experience found with your professional dentist, who knows your mouth and teeth best.
Request an appointment in our Visalia dentist office here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com.
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