How to Choose the Right Toothbrush for You

Cleaning your teeth regularly is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your teeth, gums and mouth healthy. It’s recommended that you brush for two minutes, twice a day, followed by flossing and a rinse of mouthwash.

As an important part of your dental routine, you need to choose a toothbrush that suits you best, whether that be a manual, electric, soft-bristled, medium-bristled toothbrush. Some time ago, there were limited options, whereas now, supermarkets and pharmacies are stocked full of extensive toothbrushes of all types – making it difficult to choose the best toothbrush for you.

In order to choose the right toothbrush, there are several factors you should take into account, which we have listed below. Keep reading to find out more!

Manual VS Electric

An important consideration is whether or not you choose a manual or electric toothbrush. Manual and electric toothbrushes are both equally effective in cleaning your teeth, and both have their own benefits and disadvantages.

Some people are put off by the price of an electric toothbrush, while others prefer to use a manual toothbrush due to price, convenience and no risk of running out of charge.

Manual Toothbrushes

The cost savings of using a manual toothbrush can be a major benefit for patients, with electric toothbrushes costing far more. Manual toothbrushes can typically be purchased for under £3, whereas an electric toothbrush can cost anywhere between £15 and £200 – not forgetting that you regularly need to buy new heads that are compatible with your model.

Unlike electric toothbrushes, manual toothbrushes are disposable and can be easily replaced. You can also choose any toothbrush as a replacement without being limited to sticking with the same type every time.

Manual toothbrushes are also easy to use, with no risk of losing power or finding a suitable electricity source, unlike an electric toothbrush.

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are a great alternative to manual toothbrushes and can do a better job of cleaning the teeth, especially for those who have limited dexterity and difficulty brushing. 

Electric toothbrushes clean teeth and gums much better than manual toothbrushes, and patients who use powered ones report having a much cleaner feel compared to manual brushing. Additionally, powered toothbrushes with heads that rotate in both directions, or ‘oscillating’ heads, are really effective at removing plaque. 

Most modern electric toothbrushes also feature a built-in timer, usually in the form of a vibration, that alerts you at two minutes to let you know you can stop brushing. In order to find the best electric toothbrush, we do recommend searching for one with a built-in timer to help you get the optimum brushing time, as many of us tend to not brush for the recommended two minutes.

Type of Bristles

The type of bristles you choose can make a huge difference. Whether you’re choosing a manual or electric toothbrush, you’ll need to choose the right type of bristles that suits you.

Soft or medium bristles are usually the best choice for most people, but we do recommend checking with your dentist who can advise you better. Most UK dental professionals agree that a medium-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth

A soft-bristled toothbrush is the most comfortable and safest choice, as slightly harder bristles can damage the gums and the protective tooth enamel. As some patients tend to brush vigorously, choosing a hard-bristled toothbrush can do more harm than good.

Try to look for a combination of long and short bristles as this is better for cleaning between the teeth. For even more tooth protection when you brush, be sure the bristles on the toothbrush have rounded tips.

Toothbrush Head

A toothbrush head should allow you to easily access all surfaces of the teeth. While you may think it’s best to go for a large toothbrush head, you may find it difficult to reach certain areas, such as the back of the mouth and the sides of your molars.

Ideally, the best toothbrush head will be small in size (around half an inch wide) and will make it easier to clean those hard-to-reach areas.

Bonus Tips

Don’t forget to change your toothbrush every three months, or as soon as you notice it starting to wear (whichever comes sooner!)

In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, you should also be flossing in-between the teeth and visiting your dentist for a dental hygiene appointment, where one of our friendly hygienists can talk you through a personalised plan to keep your mouth clean and healthy. 

How Can We Help?

At Perfect Smile Spa, we recognise how important a smile is to our patients and we pride ourselves on giving our patients the most pleasant dental experience to enable them to overcome any fears and maintain their teeth for the rest of their lives.

Our dental practice is located in Essex and is easily accessible from most areas around the UK. For more information on our cosmetic dental treatments, please get in touch with us or call us on 01708 442 114.