Brushing your teeth is not something that is regularly discussed amongst friends, however, the toothbrush you use is so important to your dental health.
Truth is, often we don’t think too much about the toothbrush we purchase when the last one wears out, we just go for whatever is the cheapest and most convenient. .
With supermarket shelves displaying toothbrushes of every make, colour and size, including automatic and old-school manual toothbrushes, it can be an overwhelming choice.
Value toothbrush packs or the cheapest one on the self, are what many reach for without considering the impact a toothbrush could have on overall oral hygiene.
Toothbrushes these days have stepped up their game, with many now rocking the latest cartoon images or timeless classics, like Mickey Mouse.
However, your toothbrush selection should be more than just ‘grabbing the cheapest’, or buying the ‘favourite cartoon image’.
We only have one set of teeth, so we must look after them.
Here are 3 tips to ensure you’re buying the right toothbrush:
1. Look for the soft bristle brushes
Toothbrushes come with soft, medium, or hard bristle brushes.
Unless you know the difference, you could be choosing a toothbrush that causes more harm than good.
To ensure the health and longevity of teeth and gums, you should be using a soft bristle toothbrush every time.
Brushing your teeth shouldn’t be unpleasant, uncomfortable or painful.
An American Dentistry Survey found that brushing too hard was the leading cause of sensitive teeth in the United States.
Medium and hard-bristled toothbrushes have been found to contribute to over-brushing.
Use a toothbrush that protects your smile.
2. Ensure the toothbrush head is the right size for your mouth
Is your current toothbrush reaching every area and tooth in your mouth?
If it’s not, you might be using a toothbrush that is too big.
Your toothbrush should be reaching every single tooth, even the back molars, with ease.
Ever wondered why children’s toothbrushes are considerably smaller? This is your answer, a toothbrush that can’t reach the back of your mouth is useless.
If you have a small mouth, go for a smaller toothbrush head.
When selecting the right sized toothbrush, be sure to look for one that is going to suit you, and remember your tongue and cheeks need cleaning too.
If you’re still not sure if you’re using the right one, check out this ‘decoding the toothbrush guide’.
3. Ditch the ‘no-name’ toothbrushes
You wouldn’t go to just anyone for dental treatment, so don’t just choose any toothbrush, go for trusted brands.
Toothbrushes are put into our mouths and used every day, so you want to ensure that what you’re putting in your and your children’s mouth have been quality tested.
Many no-name toothbrushes haven’t been checked by the Australian Dental Association, ADA, and therefore their quality and safety are unknown.
Always look for toothbrushes with the ADA Seal of Approval, meaning that they are endorsed by dental professionals and have met the Australian quality and safety standards.
Healthy oral hygiene is complex and cannot be achieved by your toothbrush alone, therefore regular cleans and check-ups from an experienced dentist are required.
Put your teeth and oral hygiene first and book your next dental check-up with Kooweerup Dental today.