How To Select A Good Tooth Brush? The Top Tips

As many as one in four adults don’t brush their teeth regularly. The lack of good oral hygiene doesn’t just stem from the fact that they aren’t made aware of how important dental hygiene is, it’s also because often, they do not find brushing comfortable.

While there are a wide variety of toothbrushes available in the market, for someone who is worried about oral hygiene, it’s often a little difficult to choose the right toothbrush. A lot of people end up picking out one that is the cheapest of all or one that is attractive to look at.

The Top Things to Look for When Choosing a Toothbrush

Let us look at the various aspects of a toothbrush and see what kind of features they should have.

1. Bristles

Several people believe that a toothbrush with hard bristles is the one that is best suited for cleaning. However, had bristles can be quite corrosive on the gums as well as the enamel of the teeth. A very soft bristled toothbrush isn’t the best at cleaning either. The recommended option is a toothbrush with semi-soft bristles which can clean effectively and doesn’t cause any damage to the mouth. However, if you have sensitive teeth or gums, a soft bristled toothbrush is the best option for you. Make sure the bristles are not flat.

1. Head

A toothbrush with a large head is not very effective in cleaning the posterior molar teeth. Ideally the dimensions of the head of a toothbrush must be 1 inch in length and ½ inch in width. If you have a small mouth or if you are buying a toothbrush for a kid, then again, a toothbrush with a relatively smaller head is the best choice.

1. Handle

The handles of a toothbrush are the ones that are the most misleading ones. They make us choose the ones that look the most attractive. However, the function of a handles is to provide a solid grip when you are brushing your teeth. The handle must be long enough so that you are able to maneuver it around without any difficulty. Several toothbrushes now come with handles that provide a slip-proof grip. This feature might also be an added advantage in a toothbrush.

1. Manual or Powered

It hasn’t been proven which of the two provides better cleaning – a manual toothbrush or an electronically powered one. However, if you are unable to move your toothbrush around due to physical disability or arthritis or any kind of limited physical immobility, a powered toothbrush can do the job for you. It may also be a good idea for children who are averse to brushing their teeth and tend to rush through it.

1. Safety

Any toothbrush you choose must have been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) for safety.

When you are choosing a toothbrush, you must choose a good branded toothbrush instead of one that doesn’t have any labels and may not have been tested for quality. Most of all, you should choose one that you are most comfortable with.