Choosing The Right Toothbrush (2024)

FAQs

How do I know what toothbrush is right for me? ›

Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled toothbrush is best for teeth, especially for removing plaque and debris. A soft toothbrush should do the job when brushing your teeth thoroughly for two minutes. Medium and stiff bristles might be too hard on gums and enamel.

The consensus recommendation is for people to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Replace toothbrushes every three to four months or more often if the bristles are visibly matted or frayed. Either manual or powered toothbrushes can be used effectively.

Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they can better reach all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth.

For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

It might seem like an inconsequential decision, but choosing the right kind of toothbrush is actually more important than most people think. With the wrong type of brush, you can cause your gums to recede, leave plaque buildup on your teeth, or erode away the enamel and cause stains.

Dental professionals recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes because too much pressure or overzealous brushing can negatively impact the enamel and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends soft-bristle toothbrushes with angled or multi-layer bristles to ensure an excellent clean without harming your teeth.

Studies have even shown that sonic toothbrushes still provide superior plaque removal even when they are held up to 4mm away from the tooth's surface! Obviously, users should brush in full contact with their teeth, but this is a testament to how effectively people can clean their teeth with this technology.

Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing

After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.

From the data of this study, researchers concluded that to maintain good plaque control and improve gingival health, the oscillating rotation electric toothbrush offers clinically relevant advantages compared to the sonic toothbrush, albeit with a small but significant difference.

They also come in soft, medium, and hard bristle options. A soft-bristled toothbrush is typically recommended for most individuals as it is gentle on teeth and gums. Medium or hard bristled toothbrushes are usually recommended for individuals with heavy staining or tartar buildup.

What kind of toothbrush does the ADA recommend? ›

Whether you use a manual or powered toothbrush, choose a soft-bristled brush.

Dentists often recommend electric toothbrushes for seniors with limited dexterity or mobility. Electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers to ensure seniors brush for at least two minutes.

Sonicare's heads are large and flat compared to Oral-B's small round brushes, and they're long-lasting, according to Wellspring Dental dentist Mandy Nebel, who prefers Sonicare over other brands. This specific model — one of two from the brand accepted by the ADA — is a more entry-level Sonicare.

For manual toothbrushes, dental professionals usually recommend a softer bristle brush. The comfort and safety they provide make them an excellent choice. Vigorous brushing with hard bristles can actually harm your gums, root surface, and tooth enamel – a situation we definitely want to avoid!

“The average person should be swapping out for a new toothbrush every three to four months,” explains Dr. Sienna Palmer, DDS, dentist at Meridien Dental in Santa Monica, CA. “This is recommended to ensure that the bristles are still effective and bacteria accumulation on the toothbrush is minimal.”

Always use a soft bristled toothbrush and if you have recession, you may want to consider an extra-soft bristled toothbrush. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush equipped with a Sensitive Mode like the Oral-B iO9 which also comes with a Smart Pressure Sensor to better protect your gums from overbrushing.

Opt for Soft or Medium Bristles

Hard bristles can put too much pressure on your gums and hurt them. Soft bristles, while gentle enough for your gums, may not provide the most thorough cleaning.

If you're still rocking the manual brush, a sonic brush will still be a significant upgrade for you, but if you've been using a cheap sonic brush for a while, consider a rotating one to take your oral hygiene to the next level.

For adults, U-shaped brushes are not the best option as U-shaped brush heads cannot be customized based on your oral cavity. As a result, the brush head can hardly reach remote areas for plaque removal. Therefore, you may need extra time flossing and rinsing to ensure a healthy oral condition.