Taking care of our dental hygiene is essential to our overall health, and it starts with choosing a toothbrush that gets the job done right. A toothbrush’s job is to prevent gum diseases and enamel damage by scrubbing bacteria, plaque, and excess food off your teeth and gums. However, before you purchase your next toothbrush, it is important to know what factors you should consider when choosing a toothbrush.
4 Tips for Choosing a Toothbrush
With so many options to pick from, it can be difficult to decide on which toothbrush will be right for your teeth. Here are a couple of factors to keep in mind when choosing a toothbrush.
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Consider the Toothbrush Size and Shape
When you go to the store, you will encounter a wall of toothbrushes featuring different brush head sizes. The size and shape of the brush head are important because a toothbrush should comfortably reach all around your mouth for effective cleaning. If the head of a toothbrush is too big, it’s tougher to reach the molars and the gum lines. Most people go for a head size that is one inch tall and half an inch wide.
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Examine the Toothbrush’s Bristle
There are three different types of toothbrush bristles: soft, medium, and hard. Choosing a toothbrush with hard bristles because you think it will clean better isn’t the best choice. If you apply a lot of pressure using a toothbrush with hard or medium bristles, you can damage your gums and tooth enamel. Another thing to keep in mind is the shape of the bristles’ tips. Straight (or flat) bristle tips do more harm with their sharp and jagged tips, which is why rounded bristles are the way to go—especially for those with sensitive gums.
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Get a Professionally Approved Toothbrush
One of the most important factors to look out for in a toothbrush is the ADA Seal of Approval. The ADA puts toothbrushes through strict testing to ensure each toothbrush is safe and effective for your teeth, mouth tissue, and braces. Toothbrushes not approved by the ADA could have harsh bristles, weak handles, or defective bristles.
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Decide on an Electric Toothbrush or Manual Toothbrush
Choosing between an electric or manual toothbrush is up to personal preference and your financial budget. Electric toothbrushes have unique features, such as pressure sensors, timers, and different brush settings for those with braces or sensitive teeth. Both electric and manual toothbrushes will get the job done right. What matters is being sure you use it to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes.
Professional Dental Care in Leesburg, FL
While choosing a toothbrush that is safe and effective at protecting your teeth from gum diseases is vital to your dental health, caring for your dental hygiene starts with scheduling a professional dental health checkup with a trusted local dentist.
For over 20 years, Eddie Orobitg D.M.D. has provided quality dental health checkups and restorative procedures to patients in the Leesburg, FL community. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, discomfort, or pain, rely on your local dentist, Dr. Orobitg, for excellent dental care. Schedule your appointment today by calling 352-787-5919.