According to the Canadian Dental Association, there are four important steps to consider when choosing a toothbrush: Head, Name, Size and Power.

Our mouth is naturally an environment for bacteria buildup. The key to keeping your mouth free of bacteria and plaque is in choosing the right toothbrush that will help your teeth clean and sparkly.

Head: Choosing the right head is very important in selecting a toothbrush. Soft and rounded bristles are what we recommend. Some people brush too hard with a soft head brush, which can lead to sensitive teeth and tender gums.

Size: How big is your mouth? if you have a small mouth you will need a toothbrush head that fits comfortably inside your mouth so you can reach your back teeth without difficulty.  For children, buy a toothbrush that is specifically made for kids since their mouths are smaller.

Name: If finances permit it, we would avoid no name toothbrushes from the dollar store for example. Most of the time such products are made cheaply without any safety measures.  If your toothbrush is not effective at removal of plaque it can cause more harm than good.

Power: Electric toothbrushes ensure that you brush for the right amount of time and are great at preventing gum disease than the manual brushes.  Some electric brushes come with timers so that you can ensure you are brushing for the right amount of time and even when its time to change the head on it.  For patients with dexterity issues such as arthritis they work well since they do the work for you.  Electric toothbrushes area also great for people that tend to scrub brush (push too hard) since they will not be in function when pushed too hard.  They are also great for kids who are often  not too keen on keeping up with their oral hygiene.

We recommend to replace your toothbrush every three months and if you are sick.  Bacteria that remains after getting a cold or flu can stay on your toothbrush.  Change your children’s brush when you change yours so that its easier to maintain a schedule for keeping everyone’s mouth healthy.

If you’re still not sure which toothbrush is right for your mouth or your child’s, ask us when you come in for your next visit at our Bowmanville dental office and we would be happy to help you!