The toothbrush is the foundation of at-home oral hygiene. It is important to ensure that your number one tool for fighting plaque and residue is fresh and clean. One of the most important ways to ensure that your teeth, gums, and tongue stay clear of unwanted gunk is to replace your toothbrush frequently.
While your toothbrush is a powerful tool to remove unnecessary bacteria from your mouth, it can also be counterproductive if it is not cared for properly. The average toothbrush should be replaced every 3 to 4 months. If the bristles of the brush are worn out far before that timeline, we recommend that you replace your toothbrush more frequently. This is not to say that your toothbrush is unsafe. However, worn out bristles do not tend to be as effective at cleaning your teeth as new ones.
We understand that choosing the right toothbrush can be a bit confusing. There are many options in the market for you to choose from. With that in mind, we wanted to give you some information on the different types of toothbrushes that you might want to consider when changing your own.
Manual Toothbrush
Most people have used a manual brush at some point in their lives. These are ready-to-use and portable toothbrushes. They don’t require any gadgets to function. Besides their ease and portability, manual toothbrushes also allow you to be in control of your brushing experience. You have full control of the amount of pressure you apply on your gums and teeth with this alternative.
Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes have more advanced cleaning technologies than manual toothbrushes. These technologies include 3D cleaning action and sonic technology. The fact that the bristles rotate can make it easier to get in the areas between the gums and teeth that sometimes can be missed with manual toothbrushes. It is important to be mindful of the amount of pressure applied when using this tool. It is not uncommon for users to put too much pressure when using this option which can create more harm than good in the long run. A bonus point for electric toothbrushes is that you can plug them into your power outlet after every use and it will be charged for your next brushing.
Battery Powered Toothbrush
Battery powered toothbrushes are essentially a hybrid between a manual toothbrush and an electric toothbrush. They function in a similar way to the electric brush and are easily portable like the manual brush. The battery powered toothbrushes vibrate and pulsate to offer additional cleaning actions from the manual toothbrush. When you feel that this tool is losing some of its power, all that is required is a change of battery and it should be good to go again.
Additional Considerations
Regardless of what toothbrush option you choose when replacing your old one, please remember that you will still need to change the bristles every 3 to 4 months. It is also really important to keep your toothbrush clean after each use. This will remove any gunk that was collected from your brushing. The best way to store your toothbrush is upright so that the bristles can dry after every use.
We understand that you might have more questions about the type of toothbrush you might require, especially if you have sensitivities in your teeth and gums. Our team is always happy to discuss with you the best options for your specific needs. We are also always happy to walk you through proper brushing techniques during your next appointment. Remember, your oral health is important. The small hygiene habits you create at home, such as brushing and flossing, can go a long way when combined with bi-annual cleanings and checkups!
