Does The “Right Toothbrush” Really Matter?

Your at-home oral care is one of the best ways to make sure you stay on top of your oral health needs. That, coupled with frequent visits to the dentist for a routine consultation are paramount for your oral health. 

Nowadays, patients have a plethora of different tools and products that make big promises, from reducing cavities and gum disease to even whitening the teeth. In this article, we’ll talk about what’s likely the most important weapon in your dental care arsenal: the toothbrush.

Is there a “right” and “wrong'' toothbrush? Does it really matter what type of toothbrush you use to clean your teeth?

Find out the answers below:

Yes, The Type of Toothbrush Does Matter, But Only to a Certain Extent

First off, let’s get one thing out of the way: there is no perfect toothbrush. At the end of the day, it’s simply a tool that allows you to clean your teeth at home to keep your smile healthy.

However, the type of toothbrush you use can bring you a few benefits that can make it easier or more convenient to clean your teeth:

• Electric toothbrushes help provide more thorough cleaning with little effort.
• Some toothbrush shapes can provide easier access to areas in your mouth that are harder to reach.
• Bristles can come in various degrees of softness, helping people with sensitive teeth clean their teeth (as a general rule, try to avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes).
• Children’s toothbrushes are fun and colorful to make them more appealing to kids.

So the type of toothbrush you choose will matter in the sense that you should pick one that helps you clean your teeth. But this choice alone won’t be enough to ensure you are protecting your smile.

How to Take Care of Your Teeth at Home

Apart from the type of toothbrush you choose, there are 3 other elements that should be included in your at-home routine:

• Toothpaste - Use toothpaste that contains fluoride to give your teeth an even better protection.
• Technique - The way you brush your teeth may just be more important than the type of brush. Be sure to use circular motions to ensure you remove food particles and bacteria from your teeth, and brush for at least 2 minutes.
• Dental floss - No toothbrush can remove food particles or bacteria from between the teeth. Using dental floss is an essential part of your oral hygiene.

All in all, the right toothbrush is the one you’re most likely to use, so it really just comes down to personal preference. 

Keep Your Teeth Healthy with Our Help

No tools or products can replace the benefits of a routine dentist appointment! Lisa M. Skutak, DDS is here to assess your oral health and help you access professional and compassionate dental health services the entire family can enjoy.

Book a consultation at Skutak Dental today!