We’ll be covering different types of manual toothbrushes. A manual toothbrush is a type of toothbrush that, obviously, is used by hand. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes all with different advantages and uses. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect toothbrush for you, and that may change as you age or if you develop issues in your mouth or with your teeth. It’s always best to ask your Manahawkin dentist which brush is best for you so be sure to ask next time you go for your routine cleaning!
- Bristles – Toothbrushes come in 3 varieties of firmness; soft, medium, and firm. A soft-bristled toothbrush is appropriate for the majority of people. While medium and firm bristle toothbrushes can be better at removing plaque, they have the potential of doing more harm than good. If you brush too hard, you can cause gum irritation and recession which can lead to a variety of other oral issues. Most dentists will never recommend a firm bristled toothbrush because the possibility of causing damage to your teeth far outweighs the fact that it can be better at removing plaque. When you go to pick out a new toothbrush, you will see a variety of bristle types and patterns as well. The bristle patterns can be summarized into a few different groups: block, wavy, crisscross, tapered, and polishing cups. A block pattern brush is the most common type where all the bristles are the same height arranged in a block formation on the brush head. A wavy or v-shaped bristled brush aims to easily cover adjacent tooth surfaces while brushing. The crisscross pattern has bristles that are arranged at different angles and its goal is to easily remove plaque. Tapered, also referred to as multilevel, brushes aim to help in reaching difficult to reach areas of your mouth. Lastly, brushes with polishing cups on the head, which are small rubber cups in the middle of the bristles, are very good at removing surface stains.
- Handle – When it comes to handle size, comfort rules. There are not many advantages of one size or shape versus the other. It really comes down to which brush is the most comfortable for you. You will find angled toothbrush handles on the market and while it may provide assistance in reaching difficult areas of your mouth, it is not a huge advantage so it truly is a matter of preference.
- Head size and shape – As far as head size, once again, comfort is the determining factor. If you have a smaller mouth, you are going to prefer a smaller headed toothbrush. A brush with a very large head could be painful to use and make it difficult for you to brush your back teeth effectively. Toothbrush heads can come in a few different shapes. Some toothbrushes have a conventional rectangular-shaped head which is fine for most people. However, they tend to be larger than toothbrushes with alternative shaped heads. There are diamond-shaped heads which may lend to better cleaning effectiveness and are much more comfortable for many people.
If you are having a hard time picking out the right type of toothbrush, talk to your trusted Manahawkin dentist to see what they recommend for you and your mouth.
Bayside dentistry is a Manahawkin dentist located at 219 South Main St. Barnegat, NJ. A lot of the varieties and types of toothbrushes are aimed at comfort, not necessarily cleaning effectiveness. No matter which brush you choose, it is recommended you brush for a minimum of 2 minutes twice daily and visit your dentist once to twice a year based on their suggestion.