Maintaining good oral health is essential for preventing or stopping the progression of periodontal disease! By brushing your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes and flossing daily, you’re setting an important building block of your oral health and overall health. And the tools you use to complete your oral hygiene routine can make a big difference in your oral health. After all, choosing the wrong toothbrush can cause improper wear and tear on your teeth and gums.But with all the different types of toothbrushes out there, it can be overwhelming to find the best one for you.
Not to worry! Asking a certified professional is the ultimate way to find the best toothbrush. Our team of Board-Certified Periodontists at PHC have put together the ultimate toothbrush guide for you!
So let’s explore the debate between soft, medium, and hard bristles, and uncover what kind of toothbrush dentists and periodontists recommend for maintaining excellent oral health.
Types of toothbrushes
The evolution of the toothbrush has come a long way. Historians say the first toothbrush existed around 3,000 B.C. and was simply a piece of stick with frayed ends.
Today, patients can choose from a variety of styles ranging from the plain toothbrush variety to digital, smart brushes. And then both manual and electric toothbrushes have different bristle types as well: soft, medium, or hard.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of things to consider when choosing the best toothbrush for your smile.
What to consider when choosing the best toothbrush:
First things first! No matter the toothbrush brand or type you choose, the best toothbrush will always have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal.
1. Bristle type
The ADA recommends that everyone use a soft-bristle toothbrush because they’re great at plaque removal while still being gentle on your enamel and gums. Medium-bristled and hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage your tooth enamel and irritate your gum tissues, especially if you’re a hard brusher. This can lead to gum recession too which is why our periodontal team encourages our patients to use soft-bristled toothbrushes.
2. Size and shape
There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” toothbrush! That’s why there’s toothbrushes for infants, children, and adults and variations in each of those categories. So when you’re shopping for a new toothbrush you want to determine the head size and shape that works best for you. For example, toothbrushes with smaller heads can easily reach into the back of your mouth and effectively brush your molars, which is difficult to do with the wrong-sized brush. On the contrary, brushes with larger heads cover more surface area, but they can make it difficult to brush the smaller areas of your mouth with hard-to-reach spots. There’s also the difference of rounded toothbrush heads and square or elongated to consider. Most patients find the best toothbrush head size to be ½” wide by 1” tall and rounded toothbrush heads to be gentler on your gum lines.
3. The handle
You’re going to be using your toothbrush twice a day for 3 to 4 months, you want to make sure you can comfortably hold it too! We recommend choosing a toothbrush with a contoured or soft grip as this can help you with correct pressure and ease of brushing technique.
So what kind of toothbrush do dentists (and periodontists) recommend?
Any soft-bristled toothbrush that has an ADA seal of acceptance will work wonders for your oral hygiene. If you have dexterity issues or tend to be a hard brusher, an electric toothbrush can be a great choice for you as their oscillating features do the hard work for you!
If you have any questions about the best toothbrush for you or any other periodontal questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our Tampa and New Port Richey offices.
If you’re looking for a “periodontist near me”, schedule your periodontal consultation with us today. A healthy mouth is a healthy body, and we’re here to help you achieve both!
