Were you ever overwhelmed by the variety of toothbrushes available on the shelves in supermarkets and pharmacies? If your answer is ‘YES’, you are not alone. Many times, we find ourselves staring at the many brands and features of toothbrushes that we are confused. Toothbrushes nowadays come in all shapes, colors and features, including manual, electric and vibrating (sonic) ones!.
For simplification from a professional standpoint, the general guidelines when choosing a toothbrush are; The bristles should be of a texture which will not cause damage to either hard or soft tissues. Hard bristles are therefore not recommended.
• The brush head should be of a size small enough to reach the difficult areas such as the tongue surface of teeth at the back of the mouth.
• Large, comfortable handle with a good grip.
Toothbrushes are mainly classified into manual and electric ones. Research has shown that there are no significant difference in the efficacy of plaque removal between the manual and electric toothbrushes given the correct technique is used. However, it is noted that electric toothbrushes may offer several advantage for individuals with limited dexterity.
Recent launches of the sonic toothbrushes which is a hybrid from manual and electric toothbrushes, may offer further improvement. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months or as soon as the bristles starts to flare out and cause damage to your gums and teeth. Notably, a new toothbrush can remove plaque up to 30% more effectively than a worn out one.
Conclusion: With new advances in toothbrush technology, it does not translate to better cleaning unless you are brushing with the correct technique and frequency. But of course, new features does result with more efficient cleaning of the teeth. When in doubt, please seek advice from your dentist before making the purchase.
