A popular and sometimes misguided belief among people is that a powered tooth brush is much better than a ordinary toothbrush. While a quality electric tooth brush will make the cleaning process much easier and more efficient, there is no evidence to suggest they are significantly better at cleaning when proper technique and duration are applied. The next time you are ready to replace your toothbrush, keep these tips in mind and you may find yourself spending less time in the chair at your next cleaning.
When to replace a tooth brush:
- A toothbrush should be replaced every 3 months or when the bristles start to wear or flare out at the sides (whichever comes first).
- Some toothbrushes have color codes where fading reminds the person to change their brush.
- With cold season upon us, be sure to replace your toothbrush after colds, flu, sore throat or any mouth infection.
Selecting a new tooth brush:
- Look for a soft bristled tooth brush. Hard bristles tend to encourage the development of gingival recession. Soft bristles are more flexible and are less likely to damage your gums.
- The head should be small allowing it to effectively clean the molars and hard-to-reach areas of the teeth.
- The handle should provide you a comfortable grip.
- To our knowledge, the shape of the neck or handle does not play a significant role inproper cleaning or in improving the effectiveness of a tooth brush so chose on your personal preference.
- Powered tooth brushes (electric toothbrushes) are best best suited for handicapped or bedridden patients, children, Patients with Orthodontic appliances, patients lacking fine motor skills although you may always purchase one out of preference.
If you have questions about toothbrush selection or would like to learn more about your options for powered tooth brushes, be sure to talk to your hygienist the next time you visit the dentist for a cleaning.
