A toothbrush might seem like a pretty basic tool, but when you look at them closely, you will find there are several different types of toothbrushes. Depending on your needs, one kind may work better than another. Lovett Dental Corpus Christi can walk you through the different types of toothbrushes so you can find what works best. Here are some things to think about as you explore your toothbrush options and develop good oral health habits with the help of our pediatric dentistry.
Manual Toothbrush Styles
The most basic style is a classic manual toothbrush. The benefit of a manual toothbrush is that it is affordable and very simple to use. A manual toothbrush can do a great job of cleaning teeth as long as you use it properly. Dentists recommend you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Make sure to spend equal time on each quadrant of the mouth since the back teeth are often neglected.
When shopping for manual toothbrushes, you need to consider the shape of the head and handle carefully. People who have trouble brushing in all the corners of their mouth may benefit from a smaller head. This will help you fit the toothbrush in tighter areas and brush more thoroughly. Handle shape is also important. People with limited mobility, such as young children new to brushing or those with arthritic fingers, will do better with an ergonomic handle. This grippable design makes it easier to maneuver the toothbrush around.
Electric Types of Toothbrushes
As long as you can pay the higher cost, an electric toothbrush can be an excellent choice. These toothbrushes make it easier to brush teeth since you just have to move the handle around your mouth instead of rapidly moving the bristles back and forth. Many electric toothbrushes come with sensors or timers. These can help ensure you brush your teeth for the right amount of time and use the proper level of pressure.
With electric toothbrushes, one of your main decisions will be choosing between sonic or rotating-oscillating. Sonic toothbrushes vibrate at rapid speeds while rotating-oscillating toothbrushes swivel the whole head at lower speeds. A study published in the Angle Orthodontist journal found that oscillating brushes performed slightly better than sonic ones, removing more plaque from teeth. However, if you prefer the fast speed of sonic toothbrushes, these can still be fairly effective.
Types of Toothbrush Bristles
Something else to keep in mind when looking at toothbrush types is the type of bristle itself. Toothbrushes are available with bristles in soft, medium, and large, and there are also several bristle shapes to pick from, too. For most patients, a soft-bristled toothbrush is better. This removes plaque without putting so much pressure on your mouth that your gums recede. However, if you do not have sensitive teeth but struggle with plaque buildup, medium stiffness may be better.
Bristle shape is less important. You can find brushes with flat, angled, rippled, or dome-shaped bristles. All work fairly well, so this is just a matter of personal preference. Flat styles do better with front teeth, while angled or rippled styles can help clean molars better. Try out a few different designs to find out which style makes it easiest to brush your teeth.
Picking a good toothbrush is a great way to maintain your oral hygiene, but even the best toothbrush cannot remove all plaque. That is why it is important to have regular dental cleanings. Cleanings are a great way to remove any buildup and help your teeth stay healthy. So schedule your next dental cleaning by giving Lovett Dental Corpus Christi a call at 361-986-1117.
