How to Choose the Right Toothbrush

Choosing the right toothbrush is the most important step in keeping your teeth and gums healthy and disease free, which ensures that you keep your pearly whites throughout your life.You should replace your toothbrush every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles show wear or if you've been ill. Here's how to choose the right one every time.

Step 1

Choosing a toothbrush that is comfortable is key. If you don't like it, you won't brush as long as you should (2 minutes). The head should fit comfortably between the teeth and cheek and should be small enough to clean the sides of the back molars. Everyone's mouth is a different size; if in doubt, choose the smaller size.

Step 2

Opt for a toothbrush with soft or medium-soft bristles. Unless your dentist has specifically instructed you to purchase a toothbrush with hard bristles, it is unwise to do so since hard bristles combined with hard brushing can damage your gums and the enamel on your teeth.Soft bristles work best for removing plaque and brushing away bacteria. The best bristles are rounded to reach between teeth.

Step 3

Ask your child's dentist which brush is best for your child. Generally speaking, any soft-bristled brush that is ADA-approved is what you should purchase. Have your child choose among the approved ones. Keep in mind that a child is likely to brush longer if he chose the brush themselves.TIP: A battery-operated brush may be just the ticket for getting the child to brush their teeth often and for the recommended time!

Step 4

Choose a toothbrush that has a cheek cleaner on the back side of the brush, which automatically cleans the bacteria and bad breath-causing germs from your cheeks as you brush.

Step 5

Choosing between a battery-operated or a manual toothbrush is purely a matter of preference, as scientific studies show virtually no difference in the cleaning power. A battery-operated one costs more and you still will have to replace it or its head every 3 months.