You’ve heard it a million times from your dentist. “Brush your teeth twice a day!” Obviously, brushing your teeth is one of the most important things for maintaining your oral hygiene. But does the type of toothbrush you use matter?
With so much conflicting marketing information about toothbrushes, it can be hard to understand what matters when selecting a toothbrush.
In this article, Priti Naik, DDS will break down the differences between the varying types of toothbrushes, so that you can make the choice that’s best for your oral hygiene.
Traditional Toothbrushes
You’re familiar with traditional toothbrushes. Your dentist probably hands you a new one after every 6-month dental hygiene appointment. And though they may all seem quite similar, there are some major differences between popular toothbrush styles.
- Head shape – Most toothbrushes are made with a “block-style” head. These rectangular brushes cover plenty of surface area, but can be harder to maneuver when cleaning the rear molars. You can also choose a “diamond-style” head. These brushes are narrower at the rear and the front, making it easier to clean tight corners while brushing.
- Bristle firmness – Typically, soft or extra soft-stiffness bristles are best. They’re gentle on your teeth, and still offer plenty of cleaning power. Avoid stiff bristles. Excessively stiff bristles don’t clean teeth any better than softer bristles, and they can actually damage your enamel, according to a 2014 study.
- Bristle pattern – It’s best to choose a toothbrush with a “wavy” pattern that varies in length. “Flat” bristles often cannot reach hard-to-clean areas of the mouth, and the variation in bristle height helps cup the teeth, and clean them more effectively.
Children’s toothbrushes are usually quite similar to adult toothbrushes. However, they typically are smaller in size and have a more rounded head with softer bristles.
Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes use rotating or vibrating brush heads. This motion, in addition to the “back-and-forth” motion of scrubbing, is intended to help provide a more deep, effective clean.
Most dentists agree that electric toothbrushes are not necessarily more effective than traditional toothbrushes. However, they’re much easier to use correctly. The spinning and oscillating action helps scrub teeth more effectively, and reduces the amount of work you must do while brushing your teeth. Dr. Naik recommends an electric toothbrush with either a “light up” or a “beeping” sensor to ensure you are not pushing hard which can ultimately cause recession of the gums.
Does The Type Of Brush I Use Really Matter?
If you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, and you use a fluoridated, ADA-approved toothpaste, the answer is no: the type of toothbrush you use will have a minimal effect on your oral health.
But most people do not brush their teeth properly, or for the recommended amount of time. This means that electric toothbrushes can be easier to use, and may help you maintain a better level of oral health.
What Do Dentists Recommend?
Dentists usually recommend manual toothbrushes for most patients, because they’re inexpensive and easy-to-use. However, electric toothbrushes are just as effective, if you are willing to spend a bit more money, and you think you can benefit from using one.
Brush Regularly (And Properly) – And You Can Use Any Kind Of Toothbrush You Want!
The type of toothbrush you use is not that important. What truly matters is that you regularly brush your teeth, floss, and maintain other good oral hygiene habits, such as visiting the dentist for a tooth cleaning every 6 months.
Dr. Naik specializes in family and pediatric dentistry in Vienna, and our practice serves patients of all ages. Don’t leave your oral health up to chance. Make sure you’re brushing and flossing regularly, and don’t forget to schedule a check-up at our family dentist in Vienna. Contact us today at at (703) 288-1800 for an appointment, or come to our office near Tysons Corner and Mclean. Our address is 8230 Boone Boulevard, Suite 320, Vienna, Virginia, 22182.
FAQs
Your Toothbrush Matters, But So Do Your Brushing Habits!
Does it really matter what kind of toothbrush you use? ›
It might seem like an inconsequential decision, but choosing the right kind of toothbrush is actually more important than most people think. With the wrong type of brush, you can cause your gums to recede, leave plaque buildup on your teeth, or erode away the enamel and cause stains.
Does a better toothbrush make a difference? ›
“Some studies have shown that tapered or angled bristles are slightly more effective at reducing plaque than flat brushes,” Tang says. Whether you opt for a manual or an electric toothbrush, choose one with soft bristles. “Bristles that are too hard are more likely to cause damage to gums and enamel,” Tang says.
Do more expensive toothbrushes work better? ›
An expensive toothbrush typically has ergonomic handles, facilitating ease of use and better mouth reach. Furthermore, many expensive toothbrush models incorporate features like pressure sensors and various brushing modes, enhancing the brushing experience and effectiveness.
What type of toothbrush do dentists recommend? ›
Although toothbrushes with medium bristles have been shown to be effective at biofilm removal, the ADA recommends use of a toothbrush with soft bristles because they minimize the risk of gingival abrasion.
What is the healthiest toothbrush to use? ›
For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.
How to choose the right toothbrush for your needs? ›
A toothbrush's head size should allow you to reach all your teeth while brushing. Most adults achieve good brushing results with a compact toothbrush head (rather than a full size head), as it facilitates the handling and control during brushing and reaches your back teeth more easily.
What is the downside of a sonic toothbrush? ›
Handling is also easy, since the sonic toothbrushes are usually light and ergonomically shaped. One potential downside to sonic toothbrushes is that they can be too noisy for some people.
Do vibrating toothbrushes work better? ›
The article explains that the rapid vibration of the toothbrush may help move fluid around the teeth, dislodging from hard-to-reach areas, such as between the teeth and along the gumline. This may make it easier to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
Is Sonicare better than a regular toothbrush? ›
Philips Sonicare removes up to 7x more plaque than a manual toothbrush. That's because it makes 31,000 brush strokes per minute, compared with a manual toothbrush's 300 brush strokes per minute. It also makes it far easier to keep the hard-to-access areas of your mouth clean.
In short, the answer is yes and no. Expensive toothbrushes are not better simply because they are expensive. They are better because they have the best essential features. These brushes tend to be more expensive.
Is it worth spending a lot on a toothbrush? ›
An investment in your oral health
While electric toothbrushes come at a higher price point than manual brushes, they are an investment that can help maintain good oral health in the long term. It's also worth remembering that you only need to replace the brush heads regularly, not the entire electric toothbrush.
Are expensive oral-B toothbrushes worth it? ›
There's no getting away from the fact that this toothbrush is about the same amount as several private hygienist appointments - but if you have the budget to spend and specifically want to help avoid long-term dental issues like plaque build-up, it's a truly worthy investment.
Should you rinse after brushing your teeth? ›
Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing
After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste. Rinsing dilutes it and reduces its preventative effects.
Does it matter what brand toothbrush you use? ›
If you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, and you use a fluoridated, ADA-approved toothpaste, the answer is no: the type of toothbrush you use will have a minimal effect on your oral health. But most people do not brush their teeth properly, or for the recommended amount of time.
Does the type of toothbrush really matter? ›
Hard bristles can put too much pressure on your gums and hurt them. Soft bristles, while gentle enough for your gums, may not provide the most thorough cleaning. A medium-bristles toothbrush seems like the best compromise between the two.
Do dentists recommend U shaped toothbrushes? ›
Many articles claim that U-Shaped toothbrushes are better at cleaning dental plaque and debris than conventional toothbrushes. However, several research journals say that using a U-shaped toothbrush is no better than a conventional toothbrush.
What type of toothbrush are you supposed to use? ›
Nearly all dentists recommend a soft bristle toothbrush. In fact, if you can pick a toothbrush with extra soft bristles, it is even more beneficial. This is because a brush with soft bristles won't harm your gums and cause bleeding or irritation.
Does it matter what toothbrush head you use? ›
You want to choose the type of toothbrush that fits your mouth and lets you reach all your teeth. Some specialized types of brush heads include: Angled: An angled toothbrush head helps reach the insides of your teeth, especially the insides of your lower and upper front teeth.
Is it better to use a manual toothbrush or electric? ›
A review of studies showed that, in general, electric toothbrushes do decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21 percent and gingivitis by 11 percent. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes seem to work better than just vibrating toothbrushes.
