How to Choose the Right Toothbrush for You

Tips from Dentists on Choosing the Best Toothbrush

Searching for the “right” toothbrush is can be surprisingly difficult. Choosing an affordable toothbrush and receiving the best overall results, can be challenging. But, it is important that you put your oral hygiene first. The student dentists and supervising faculty and Penn Dental Medicine will not only help answer how to choose the right toothbrush, but we’ll also help instruct you on how to use it for best oral health results.

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush to Get the Best Results

One of the first, most common questions is whether a manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush works better. The answer: they work the same. The way in which you brush your teeth is significantly more important than whether you choose manual versus electric. With that being said, there are things to consider for both styles of toothbrushes.

If you select a manual, old-fashioned toothbrush, make sure it has:

• Soft-bristles on the head of the toothbrush
• Solid handle that is durable and easy to hold
• Well-made (essentially the bristles won’t fall apart)
• Fits your mouth— a toothbrush that is too large will not easily reach every crevice

If you select a powered or electric toothbrush, make sure:

• It’s age-appropriate—since powered toothbrushes create side-to-side, counter oscillation, rotation oscillation, circular, and ultrasonic vibrations, they can be challenging for tiny and elderly hands to operate
  
• Fits your mouth— same as a manual toothbrush, appropriate size is crucial

And, when in doubt, look for the ADA seal of Acceptance. This means your prospective toothbrush has been approved for best oral hygiene support by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Brushing Techniques for Shiny New (or at Least Improved) Teeth!

Now that we’ve established how to choose the right toothbrush for you, let’s make sure the brushing basics have been covered.

According to the ADA, there are certain pathways to promote positive oral hygiene, which include:

• Brush the teeth twice daily with a toothpaste that contains fluoride
• Begin by placing the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle at the gumline (this helps to eliminate plaque in a crucial area)
• Move the toothbrush in small, back-and-forth motions—do the same on the inside of the front teeth, but angle the brush vertically and move up and down

Other things you can do to maximize your oral health:

• Use a mouthwash rinse with fluoride (especially if you exhibit symptoms of gingivitis)
• Reduce sugary snacks and beverages from your diet
• Clean between the teeth with floss or an interdental cleaning tool (at least once a day, preferably twice a daily)
• Download our FREE Cavities 101 guide to protect from tooth decay

PDM Is Here to Help!

Penn Dental Medicine can help you choose the right toothbrush and walk you through the correct way to brush your teeth. The recommendations, treatment and care you receive through Penn Dental Medicine are scientifically based, and come from students who are being trained and guided by dental experts at the top of their field.  

Whether it’s how to choose the right toothbrush or help with scheduling your first visit, we’re here to help. Simply click here to get started or call us anytime at 215-898-8965.