At Wetaskiwin Family Dental in Wetaskiwin, we are sometimes asked how to select that most basic tool of oral hygiene, the toothbrush. Picking a toothbrush can be as challenging as choosing a paint color for your home, and there seem to be just as many choices.
A quick walk down the oral care aisle of the grocery store makes the point. There are brushes with bristles of varying lengths, brushes that massage your gums, and brushes that change color when they are used up. (If we had to rate them purely on their fun factor, we would choose the Spiderman brush.)
Some toothbrush manufacturers claim their brushes freshen your breath or remove stains from your teeth. How do you choose the best one?
One crucial factor is the firmness of the bristles. Medium and hard brushes can actually harm your gums. We recommend, very strongly, that you not use them.
Soft and extra-soft bristles are plenty stiff enough to wash plaque, food particles, and surface stains from your teeth. Soft bristles also deliver more flexibility for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies (though you’ll still need to floss).
When picking a toothbrush for a child, make sure the brush feels comfortable in his or her hand. Children do not necessarily need a child-sized toothbrush. Some kids can manage an adult size brush better than a small one.
What about the electric brushes? Electric and manual brushes are equally effective. People with agility issues, though, can benefit from powered brushes because they take some strain off hands and arm muscles.
At Wetaskiwin dentist, we want the best possible dental health for all of our patients. Services include general and restorative dentistry. Schedule your next cleaning and checkup with us today!