How to choose your toothbrush

Practical tips and recommendations

When it comes to maintaining oral hygiene, we were taught from an early age that a toothbrush, whether manual or electric, is an essential tool for enjoying healthy teeth.

Back in the late 1930s, when nylon-bristle toothbrushes first appeared on the market, consumers didn't have much choice. Now, the story is very different: toothbrushes are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit all kinds of needs.

But how do we choose the right toothbrush from such a wide range?

First of all, when choosing your toothbrush, you should consider your dental needs: do you have sensitive teeth or gums, do you have plaque at the gumline or directly on the surface of the tongue, do your gums bleed during brushing, do you have crowded teeth with interdental spaces that make the cleaning process even more difficult, do you have receding gums, etc.?

If you do not have a clear answer to all these questions, it is best to seek the advice of a dentist for further recommendations.

Contents:

• Types of toothbrushes: manual and electric;
• Manual toothbrush;
• Electric toothbrush;
• Electric toothbrush vs. manual toothbrush: advantages and disadvantages;
• General rules for proper tooth brushing.

Types of toothbrushes: manual and electric

As long as you clean your teeth regularly, using the correct brushing method that effectively removes plaque and keeps your gums healthy, any type of toothbrush, manual or electric, can be a good choice.

Manual toothbrush 

Over the years, several scientific studies have been conducted to determine whether manual or electric toothbrushes are more effective in preventing and reducing gum disease and removing plaque. Most studies comparing the two types of toothbrushes have found no significant differences in their ability to remove plaque and prevent gum disease. However, some studies suggest that a certain type of electric toothbrush, with oscillating rotations (the bristles rotate back and forth), may be more effective than a manual toothbrush.

The best manual toothbrush

There are certain features you should consider when choosing a manual toothbrush. Here are some general tips:

• Size - The ideal toothbrush head size should allow for easy and effective cleaning on all tooth surfaces. For most adults, a width of 1.30 cm and a height of 2.54 cm can be considered the ideal dimensions when choosing a toothbrush. For children, the toothbrush should have soft bristles to protect developing teeth and gums. Although there are toothbrushes with larger heads available, you may find that they are more difficult to handle and cannot penetrate hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity, such as the sides and backs of the molars. Your toothbrush should also have a handle long enough to hold it comfortably in your hand.
• Bristle type - If you're looking to replace your manual toothbrush, you'll be able to choose a nylon-bristled toothbrush in low (soft), medium (normal, regular, medium) or high (hard) hardness. Although we tend to think that hard-bristled toothbrushes clean best and thoroughly, this is not exactly true. On the contrary, a toothbrush with normal and flexible bristles is the safest and recommended choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth or how sensitive your gums are, a toothbrush with medium to hard bristles will only harm your gums, the root surface and the protective enamel of your teeth. Also, to better protect your teeth and gums while brushing, it is recommended to choose a rounded brush head.

Electric toothbrush

In contrast to a manual toothbrush, electric toothbrushes are more expensive, require charging the battery at certain intervals and changing the brush heads every 3 months at most. 

However, electric toothbrushes have shown a significantly higher rate of plaque removal in molar and premolar areas than manual toothbrushes, says a study published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene.

Types of electric toothbrushes by technology

• Electric toothbrush with oscillating movements: this means that the bristles have circular movements, i.e. they rotate or oscillate back and forth;
• Sonic vibrating electric toothbrush: a sonic vibrating toothbrush typically has 24,000 to 40,000 strokes per minute, the technology creates a powerful vibration that moves fluids and toothpaste through the hard-to-reach places in the mouth (between the teeth and along the gum line). Electric oscillating toothbrushes, on the other hand, rotate at about 1,300 to 8,800 strokes per minute and use a circular rotating motion to clean each tooth.

Types of electric toothbrushes by age

• Adult electric toothbrush - the brush head and handle are obviously bulkier than children's electric toothbrushes;
• Children's electric toothbrush - these have a smaller brush head and handle, making them easier to use. As with adults, there are a wide variety of models with many different modes of operation.

Features to consider when choosing the best electric toothbrushes

Here are some features to consider when choosing the best electric toothbrushes:

• Number of rotations per minute - most electric toothbrushes, with oscillating movements, can have anywhere from 1300 to 8800 rotations per minute, while sonic toothbrushes can reach up to 30,000 rotations per minute;
• Timer - an extremely useful feature that will let you know if you've completed the recommended 2 minutes of brushing;
• Cleaning mode - most electric toothbrushes come with multiple cleaning functions, such as higher or lower speeds, functions for sensitive teeth and gums or different intensities;
• Pressure sensors - electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors will warn you when you are putting too much pressure on your teeth to avoid damaging your gums; 
• Brush head type and size - the shape and size of the brush head can vary, so it's important to find one that is compatible with your teeth;
• Brush stiffness - some people prefer soft brushes, while others prefer stiff brushes. However, if you are dealing with sensitive teeth and gums, it is advisable to choose a brush head with soft bristles.
• Last but not least, electric toothbrushes are more suitable for people with disabilities, those with low dexterity, children and those who don't give enough time to brushing.

Electric toothbrush vs manual toothbrush: Pros and Cons

Brushing your teeth regularly, both morning and evening, is the basis of good oral care and the best way to prevent dental disease. 

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective at removing the bacterial plaque that causes cavities and tooth decay.

So… which toothbrush shall I use, though?

Unlike electric toothbrushes, manual toothbrushes are more affordable and can be just as effective at cleaning teeth and gums. One disadvantage of the manual toothbrush is that people tend to brush more aggressively when using it. It also has no built-in timer or pressure setting functions. 

As for electric toothbrushes, several studies have shown that they are more effective at removing plaque and thus lower the risk of gingivitis, unlike manual toothbrushes. 

It has also been found that electric toothbrushes are more effective for people who wear braces, are more interesting for children to use, and better protect the gums while brushing.

General rules for brushing teeth correctly

The most important aspect of brushing your teeth correctly is the technique used and performing oral hygiene twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

Here are some general rules for brushing your teeth correctly:

1. Choose a toothbrush whose head is the right size for your mouth;
2. Avoid toothbrushes with hard bristles to avoid irritating your gums. Also choose a brush head with multi-level or angled bristles;
3. Use a fluoride toothpaste;
4. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth and gums;
5. Gently brush all tooth surfaces for two minutes, using only up and down strokes (always from gum to tooth);
6. Floss before each brushing;
7. Mouth-washing is optional and should not replace flossing or brushing your teeth;
8. If you experience bleeding gums, this may be a sign of poor hygiene. It's best to talk to your dentist;
9. Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after use and keep it upright, away from moisture and away from the toilet bowl.

Whether manual or electric, the type of toothbrush doesn't matter much as long as brushing takes at least 2 minutes and is done twice a day, in the morning and evening. However, you may like an electric toothbrush better if you have limited manual dexterity, have a habit of brushing too aggressively, or need to count brushing time.

Photo source: Shutterstock.com

References:

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/choosing-a-toothbrush-the-pros-and-cons-of-electric-and-disposable

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/selecting-dental-products/choosing-the-right-toothbrush#

https://www.colgate.com/en-sg/oral-health/selecting-dental-products/electric-toothbrush-buying-guide-everything-you-need-to-know

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3847535/

1. Study ’’Is Plaque Removal Efficacy of Toothbrush Related to Bristle Flaring? A 3-Month Prospective Parallel Experimental Study’’
2. Study ’’Clinical comparison of an electric-powered ionic toothbrush and a manual toothbrush in plaque reduction: A randomized clinical trial’’