Tips For Choosing The Right Toothbrush For Your Teeth | Dr. Alex Midtown NYC Cosmetic Dentist

Tips For Choosing The Right Toothbrush For Your Teeth

One of the most ubiquitous items in any home is a toothbrush. Very few people pay much attention to it and the choice to buy one is usually an afterthought. The humble toothbrush, however, is one of your greatest defenses against gum diseases, tooth decay, and many other dental problems. How well your toothbrush protects you from dental diseases is determined by a variety of factors including what type of toothbrush you are using. Here are some factors to keep in mind when you are shopping for your next toothbrush.

Type Of Bristles

Many people imagine that using hard bristles is good as they will firmly scour the teeth. This, however, is a myth. Soft bristles are just as effective in removing plaque with the additional advantage that they are unlikely to damage your gums. When buying a toothbrush, look for those that have different lengths of bristles as each length works effectively around certain areas of the mouth. For example, longer bristles are effective in cleaning the back of the mouth while shorter bristles are effective at cleaning the gum line. Unless advised otherwise by your dentist, always go for soft bristles with rounded ends.

Size Of The Head

Toothbrushes come with different head sizes. Toothbrushes with smaller heads are able to reach effectively into the back of the mouth and thus clean hard-to-reach places. For that reason, always have a preference for toothbrushes with smaller heads although the guiding principle is to be able to effectively reach all your teeth. Over the years, manufacturers of toothbrushes have added other features such as tapered heads and angled necks. All these features are to make it easier for you to reach and clean all your teeth effectively. As a result, toothbrushes with these features are preferable to those without them.

Handle Grip

When brushing your teeth, your ability to hold the toothbrush firmly has a bearing on how well you clean your teeth. For this reason, always go for toothbrushes with large, easy-to-grip handles that you can hold firmly even with wet hands. You should consider buying a few different sizes and trying each one out until you have a handle size that is perfect for your hands. 

Electric or Manual

The last couple of decades have seen the advent of electrically powered toothbrushes. While manual toothbrushes are quite effective in cleaning teeth if used properly, there is a general consensus that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and other debris on the teeth. This is especially true for those people with limited dexterity and who may not be able to hold their toothbrushes properly.

Choosing the right toothbrush will ensure that you effectively remove plaque from your teeth every time you brush them. Remember that good oral care does not stop with a good toothbrush. You need to eat healthily and generally take care of your oral health.

Effective dental health also involves regular dental exams by an experienced dentist such as Dr. Alex Rubinov of New York. For dental exams and any other dental services, contact our practice at (718) 253-0800 to schedule an appointment.

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