Toothbrush Tips to Keep Your Teeth in Shape

Here at Leigh Dental Centre our dentists have come up with a few key tips to help you find the right brush every time. Remember that you need to replace your brush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are worn down, damaged, or if the brush is dropped somewhere unsanitary.

Your toothbrush is your first line of defence against tooth decay and gum disease, so it’s important that you feel confident in your choice. It needs to be firm enough to dislodge plaque and debris, but not so firm that the bristles hurt your gums.

If you’re not sure what to look for, here’s our guide to choosing the correct toothbrush. This should help you to navigate the toothbrush aisle and ensure you make the right choice every time.

What to look for in a toothbrush

Size – small headed brushes are best as these will enable you to easily access all surfaces of your teeth. Though larger heads are available, you may find it hard to reach the sides and backs of your back teeth.

Bristle firmness – brushes are available with soft, medium and firm bristles. Most people will be content with a medium brush, but you might choose a firm one if you need more help in shifting plaque. Soft brushes are effective for those with sensitive gums, but be aware that they might need to be replaced more often.

Whitening brushes – you might notice toothbrushes with special plastic attachments designed to buff the surface of the teeth and help to shift surface stains. If these bother your gums, you should avoid them and stick to a regular brush.

Bamboo and plastic brushes – environmentally friendly brushes are available made with biodegradable bamboo handles which can be composted rather than going to landfill. Provided you can still brush your teeth effectively, there should be no difference.

Tongue scrapers – some toothbrushes have ridges on the back that will help you to brush your tongue too. A dedicated tongue scraper would be more effective for this purpose and will prevent excess bacteria build up on your toothbrush.

Manual versus electric toothbrushes

No matter what toothbrush you buy, the key is that it gets used twice a day every day. For people with limited mobility it may be easier to use an electric toothbrush or it is possible to get toothbrushes with adapted handles to help people with limited dexterity.

In terms of effectiveness, a large number of studies conducted into the effectiveness of electric and manual toothbrushes, no major differences have been found in their ability to remove plaque and prevent gum disease, provided you have good brushing technique.

If you’re unsure if you are brushing correctly, we recommend using plaque disclosing tablets to show the areas in your mouth where you are leaving plaque behind.

Where to turn for advice

If you are still unsure of the best toothbrush to get, do not hesitate to ask the dentist for a recommendation at your next appointment. You can also arrange a checkup with our dental hygiene team for personalised advice. 

As long as you clean your teeth regularly using proper brushing technique, you should be able to reduce the buildup of plaque and keep your gums healthy whether you have a manual or an electric toothbrush. 

It is important to ensure that you change the toothbrush or head regularly. It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every three months or more often if the toothbrush head is showing signs of wear.

A good way to remember to change your toothbrush is to change them on the first day of every season. So when you start to notice the seasons changing, you’ll remember to change your toothbrush. 

If you would like further help and advice on the best oral hygiene routine to follow, do not hesitate to call Leigh Dental Centre today on 01702 472929 and book a consultation with our hygienist or dentist.