Why picking the right toothbrush matters
A quality toothbrush is at the core of a good daily oral care routine. Using the right toothbrush will contribute to the most complete oral care and keep your teeth and gums healthy in the long term.
The most important thing to realize is that not all toothbrushes are equal - because different people have different needs and preferences. Everyone has their own focal areas for dental hygiene, and the toothbrush you use should target those specific needs.
Your dental professional can advise you on the best tool adapted to your oral condition. But generally speaking, your dentist may recommend you use a soft-bristledtoothbrush for a gentler cleaning.
If you have healthy teeth and gums and you’d like to manage plaque efficiently, you can considersoft bristles with extra-thin tips (tapered)for a deep clean below the gum line and between the teeth.
Identifying the right toothbrush features
When it gets down to choosing between brushes, start by looking at the common features of a toothbrush and why they’re important. Not only will this help you choose the right toothbrush, but it can even help you brush more frequently bymaking brushing simpler. Consider the following features:
Soft, medium and firm bristles
There are three types of bristles:soft, medium and firm. The choice between soft and medium is often based on personal preference. Oral care professionals recommend the use ofsoft bristles to gently care for your teeth and gums. On the other hand, firm bristles can damage gum tissue and enamel. Some people with gum sensitivity can benefit fromextra-soft bristles, which are gentler on the gums and ideal for sensitive teeth.
Head size
A toothbrush’s head size should allow you to reach all your teeth while brushing. Most adults achieve good brushing results with acompact toothbrush head(rather than afull size head), as it facilitates the handling and control during brushing and reaches your back teeth more easily. Your toothbrush’s head size will also affect handling and maneuverability, allowing for better positioning and control during brushing. When picking a brush, put them side-by-side to see the different sizes.
Bristle type
Bristle type, or the difference betweenroundedandthin (tapered) bristle ends, can also play an important role in your toothbrush choice. Extremely tapered bristles are cut in a special way and get thinner towards the end to reach deeper between the teeth and under the gum line to provide superior cleaning. Check out some examples, including theGUM® TECHNIQUE® Deep Clean Toothbrush.
Manual vs. Electric
Many people believeelectric toothbrushesare more effective at removing plaque. In reality, bothmanualand power toothbrushes are effective, as long as your brushing technique is good. The choice between a manual and an electric toothbrush ultimately comes down to your own individual comfort and preference.
Electric toothbrushes are best for people who need a little help brushing thoroughly, or for those with mobility issues (like arthritis) that prevent thorough brushing with a manual toothbrush. Additionally, those with sensitive teeth (or those who brush their teeth too hard, such as those who are stressed or in a hurry) may benefit from specialized electric toothbrush modes that put less pressure on the teeth or ones that visually demonstrate how much pressure you’re putting on your teeth.OurGUM® Sonic Powered Battery Toothbrushfor example offers a great compromise between ease of use and efficacy.
A reminder about toothbrush replacement
Finding a proper toothbrush with all the right features for you is a great start, but it won’t last forever. Worn-out toothbrushes areless effective[1]at keeping teeth and gums clean. You should think about replacing your toothbrush approximately every three months or whenever the bristles look worn, splayed or frayed.
During your next visit to the dentist, ask your dental professional to recommend a brush for you. Nothing beats a professional recommendation from someone who knows your teeth even better than you do!
Learn more aboutGUM® toothbrushesand how you can achieve the best at-home oral care possible.
FAQ
All GUM® oral care products are made in compliance with The Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulations. The FDA is the relevant authority for the GUM® oral care portfolio. Organizations such as the American Dental Association (ADA) will, for a fee, review a manufacturer’s product and permit the use of ‘seal of acceptance’ for qualifying products for a period of 5 years. The seal notes only that the product has been reviewed by the ADA and meets their standards. It is not mandatory for products to have the seal in order to be made available to the public. Sunstar, along with several other oral care product manufacturers, does not utilize the ADA’s review process at this time, but relies on compliance with FDA regulations.
