Brushing teeth is an inevitable part of a consistent oral health routine. Toothbrushing tools have come a long way since their invention. Ancient civilizations used twigs with frayed ends or chewing sticks to clean teeth. Since the invention of nylon in the 1930s, the development of modern toothbrushes began. Today, apart from manual toothbrushes, we have electric toothbrushes, a variety of toothbrush bristles and ergonomic designs to choose from.
Given the diversity, one may wonder how to pick a suitable toothbrush type for one’s oral needs. Should you choose a soft-bristle toothbrush over a hard-bristled one? Read on to understand the different bristle types, how they work and how to choose one that suits you.
Toothbrush Bristle Types
Over centuries, toothbrush bristles have transformed in material and design. Primitive toothbrushes had bristles made of animal hair and feathers, while their handles were made of animal bones or bamboo. Modern toothbrush bristles are synthetic, usually nylon. Some of them are enhanced with additional features, such as charcoal bristles (bristles infused with charcoal).
Toothbrush bristles also vary in their texture and firmness. You may find toothbrushes in stores labelled as “soft,” “medium,” and “hard.” Hard bristle toothbrushes, also labelled as “firm”, are more abrasive and firm for the gums and teeth, while medium bristles are comparatively less firm. A soft bristle toothbrush is gentle on the tooth enamel and gums. Its variants are usually available as “soft”, “medium-soft”, and “extra-soft”. Bristles also differ in their angle and number of layers.
What Does a Hard-Bristle Toothbrush Do?
A hard-bristle toothbrush has stiff and firm bristles that are more abrasive. Though brushing is a vital part of one’s daily oral hygiene, doing it incorrectly may harm your teeth and gums. Clinical studies have shown that aggressive brushing not only wears away tooth enamel but also damages the gums and causes them to recede, making your mouth susceptible to various oral problems.
Besides adopting proper brushing techniques, picking a toothbrush that does the job without harming your teeth and gums is essential. Some people may prefer using a hard toothbrush, which is tough on plaque. However, according to research, a medium or hard bristle toothbrush can damage the tooth enamel and irritate your gums compared to a soft brush.
What Does a Soft-Bristle Toothbrush Do?
A soft toothbrush has fine and flexible bristles that act gently on the tooth surface and gums. They are less abrasive and not harsh on your teeth and gums. They bend easily to remove plaque and food particles from curves and crevices. A soft bristle toothbrush can effectively clean the teeth without wearing away the enamel or damaging the gums.
One such example is the Colgate Gentle Gumcare Toothbrush, designed with ultra-soft bristles for the gentlest care of your gums and in-depth cleaning of your teeth. It has 17 times slimmer bristles with a sixfold efficiency to reach areas otherwise difficult to access with an ordinary toothbrush to remove food debris and plaque. It is 2.5 times more effective in plaque removal than ordinary toothbrushes.
