toothbrushHaving the correct toothbrush is essential to maintain good oral health. There are four main aspects to consider when shopping for the perfect toothbrush.

– Manual or electronic
– The softness of the bristles
– The type of handle
– The type of head

Brushing your teeth ensures that all leftover food particles that get stuck between your teeth are removed and ensures that dental plaque is removed from teeth and gums. Plaque left on teeth will wear the tooth’s wall down and eventually cause a cavity.

Which is better? A manual or electric toothbrush?

The choice between a manual or electric toothbrush is a personal one. Some people prefer using the manual toothbrush because it is more affordable, might be easier for them to use and maybe they just enjoy the simplicity of the manual brush. While others prefer the electric toothbrush because they find that it gives a better clean compared to the manual toothbrush. It has been clinically proven that more plaque is removed from the teeth if an electric toothbrush is used. This being the case, an electric toothbrush thus prevents the risk of gum disease. It is advised that if you opt for the electric toothbrush you should purchase one with a head that vibrates back and forth instead of in circles. The circular motion could erode the gum line and creates additional oral health problems. Always remember that your gums are sensitive… be gentle and avoid causing any bleeding.


There are people who believe that it is better to use a toothbrush with hard bristles. They believe that the harder the brushes bristles are the better the clean. This is not the case at all in fact the hard bristles damages and wears down the tooth’s enamel making it easier for cavities to form. Hard bristles also create microscopic lacerations on the gums which emit small amounts of blood which provides nutrition for the bad breath causing bacteria. Another interesting fact is that once the enamel of the tooth is damaged, there is no way to fix it. Once the damage is done, it is permanent. By using a soft bristled toothbrush you not only give your teeth a proper clean but also protect the tooth’s enamel from damage. If you are deciding to buy an electric toothbrush, be sure to choose one with soft bristles because the vibrating motions already completes most of the brushing and scrubbing that is necessary.

The handle of the toothbrush

The handle of a toothbrush should be long enough for the person to be able to grasp it comfortably. The handle must also be solid, and should have rubber on the handle for a better grip.

What type of head is the best?

Firstly choose a tooth brush that has the perfect size for you to be able to reach way back to those molars. If the head of the toothbrush is too big, you will not be able to reach that far back.

A toothbrush with a solid head is the only option because one with a hollow head retains up to 3000 times more bacterial growth.

When should you replace your toothbrush?

A toothbrush should be replaced every two to three months. The reason for this is that by the time the toothbrush has been used for this amount of time there are bacteria, microbes and food debris stuck in-between the bristles and they could be transferred back into the mouth with continued use.

Always check the head of your toothbrush for signs of bacterial or debris build-up. Any discoloration is no good and you should immediately change your toothbrush.