Oral Hygiene Basics: The Different Types of Toothbrushes

Teeth brushing is one of the most important oral hygiene basics, as it removes plaque from teeth. However, the toothbrush you use can impact how effective this practice is.

To optimize toothbrushing, you need to find a brush that fits your needs. Fortunately, there are many options out there.

Types of toothbrushes

When you first learned oral hygiene basics, you probably started with a manual brush designed for kids. However, manufacturers have created new models over the years, providing diversity in the supermarket aisle. Today, you can choose from the following toothbrushes.

Electric

Electric toothbrushes have a moving head and run on batteries. Most models are rechargeable and let you replace the head. The American Dental Association recognizes that electric and manual brushes are equally effective at removing plaque, but some people may benefit from powered options.

For example, people with dexterity issues, such as individuals with disabilities or of advanced age, may clean their teeth more effectively with a powered toothbrush. Because the motor does all the work, people using electric brushes only have to gently apply the bristles, making the cleaning process more manageable.

Manual

Manual toothbrushes require the user to apply pressure and move the brush. One of the cheapest options, manual brushes is easy to replace after the recommended three months. Various models also offer different handle designs to fit in your palm comfortably.

Types of bristles

When teaching oral hygiene basics, dentists recommend using soft-bristled brushes. However, there are three different levels of bristle firmness:

• Hard
• Medium
• Soft

Why are there multiple options if only one is recommended? The truth is, you may benefit from using any of them if you do so in the correct way.

Hard

Hard-bristle brushes are more abrasive, which makes them excellent for scrubbing away stains. However, not everyone should use a hard-bristle brush. Individuals who frequently eat foods that easily stain will get the most out of these brushes. The following are popular foods that contribute to stains:

• Red wine
• Coffee
• Tomato-based sauces
• Curry

Keep in mind that you should not use this type of toothbrush every day. Instead, you should only use it occasionally when you notice stains.

Medium

Some people feel that soft-bristle brushes are not effective enough, so they choose medium-bristles. These bristles are marginally firmer than those labeled "soft" and so are more abrasive. While this increase does remove plaque more efficiently, it can also harm gums if you scrub too hard.

Soft

In most cases, soft bristles are firm enough to clean teeth effectively. Even more importantly, they do not damage gums. Many people brush too hard, irritating their gums and even causing abrasions. Choosing soft bristles protects your gums, though you should still try to only apply gentle pressure.