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Everyone needs a toothbrush. Did you know, in your lifetime, you spend more than 1000 hours brushing your teeth? 

According to Kirk Patrick Dental Care, there are different factors to consider when purchasing the best toothbrush for you.

Factors include;

• the size of the brush head,
• the type of bristles
• and whether you want the toothbrush to be mechanical or electric. 

The right toothbrush for you is comfortable when you brush, reaches hard-to-find crevices, remove plaque from your teeth and more. Hopefully, you use your toothbrush twice a day and practise quality oral hygiene.

An effective toothbrush prevents bacteria build-up and inflammation development. It should avoid long term health problems, such as heart disease and dementia. 

There’s a lot to consider when picking the right toothbrush that will do the job.

Here are a few features to keep in mind when buying the next toothbrush, which will keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy.

Shape and size of the toothbrush head

The circular, rotating head of an electric toothbrush and the traditional rectangle head of a manual toothbrush are the two main options that people go for. Some dentists believe that each shape is equally effective when using the proper technique. However, an independent review discovered that the three-month period of using the circular, rotating heads removed 11% more plaque than manual brushes.

If you prefer a manual brush, it is best to have a narrow jaw. You should also consider using a toothbrush with a tapered head. 

The size of your toothbrush head can affect the quality of your brushing. Brush heads come in many sizes, but the best size is more than two centimetres tall and one centimetre wide. These dimensions allow you to efficiently clean your teeth’ top, front, and back. 

Large brush heads aren’t ideal for most people because they can’t reach the hard-to-clean place. Only buy a larger toothbrush head if your dentist recommends it. 

Bristles, bristles and more bristles

Dental experts usually recommend that you buy a toothbrush with soft or extra-soft bristles. It is commonly mistaken that hard, tough bristles better remove plaque from your tooth surface. Unfortunately, this is false because hard bristles don’t bend easily and miss areas between and under gums. Stiff bristles can irritate delicate gums too. 

There are three types of bristles – soft, medium and hard. These facts remain the same if you use a manual or mechanical toothbrush. Soft nylon brushes are a favourite come highly recommended because they won’t do any damage if you brush your teeth hard. 

Medium or stiff bristle brushes can damage your gums, root surface and your teeth enamel. These types of bristles are only to be used if your dentist recommends them. 

Round or straight bristles

Straight bristles can leave your mouth feeling clean, but they may be more harmful than you think. Straight bristles have sharp, jagged tips and stand more of a chance of cutting into your gums, increasing your risk of infection and inflammation.

Try to buy a toothbrush with a rounded bristle. It will protect your gums, especially if you have sensitive gums. 

Handle with care

Some toothbrushes are without the correct gripping, whereas others are designed with padded grips. Either way, they don’t affect the level of your brushing technique. The brush handle shouldn’t feel awkward when you are gripping it. 

Manual vs Electric Toothbrush

The decision you make between a manual or powered is a personal preference. Each can do an excellent job cleaning your teeth, but it depends on your oral health. 

Both toothbrushes still require that you brush your teeth for the recommended two minutes; using the proper technique twice a day affects people the most when it comes down to choosing between a manual and a powered toothbrush.

Powered toothbrushes require battery changes, electricity and replacement brush heads. The choice is yours. You may find that an electric toothbrush is worth the cost because it cleans your teeth better. 

Overall oral care

The most important factor surrounding toothbrushes is practising good oral hygiene. A proper toothbrush ensures dental and overall health for many years.

Semi-annual teeth cleanings are also recommended. Use that opportunity to discuss your oral hygiene practices and the best toothbrush for you. Your dental practitioner can guide you in the right direction to ensure you have the brightest and healthiest smile. 

Affinity Dental can help you maintain your normal state of dental care. It may help pay for the treatment to fix ongoing problems that you experience with your teeth. Affinity Dental will assist with cover for more expensive dental procedures, such as root canals and crowns, as done by a network dentist up to the Affinity Dental formulary for additional premiums.