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How to Pick a Toothbrush

Picking a toothbrush sounds easy, right? But if you've ever walked down

the toothbrush aisle of your local drug store, you know how easy it is to get

confused by all the choices. Some toothbrushes promise fresh breath,

deep cleaning and even teeth whitening. Others are specially designed for

orthodontics or dentures. While these special features are enticing, it's best

to ask your dentist if they're right for you or if you need them at all. There

are, however, some toothbrush basics that you need to know -- these tips

should make your search for a toothbrush a whole lot easier!

What to Look for in a Toothbrush

The right toothbrush can help turn bad oral hygiene habits into good oral

hygiene habits. Without daily brushing and flossing, your teeth and gums

may become especially vulnerable to tooth decay, dental plaque, dental

tartar, even gum disease. Don't let that happen -- use these guidelines to

help you pick a toothbrush; the more you like your toothbrush, the more

likely you are to brush.

Remember: the Softer the better. It might seem like a toothbrush with stiff

bristles is the right choice -- after all, many of your household brushes

probably have rigid bristles, making cleaning faster and easier. But the

opposite is true when it comes to picking a toothbrush. And the reason

why is simple: Softer bristles are easier on your gums. When you brush,

you want to clean your teeth, not make your gums bleed. A toothbrush

with stiff bristles is more likely to cause bleeding gums. However, don't

pick a toothbrush that's labeled "soft" unless your dentist recommends it;

choose a "medium" one instead.

Go nylon, not natural. There's a whole slew of natural dental products

available that are environmentally friendly. You may have even heard about

something called a "Natural Toothbrush" with bristles made from the root

of an Araak tree. Other types of natural toothbrushes have brown bristles

that are reportedly softer than nylon bristles. While you may be curious to

try a natural toothbrush, keep in mind that there has been little research

done in the U.S. on their effectiveness (or harmfulness). Natural tooth-

brushes may also cost more and wear out faster than standard tooth-

brushes. Until there's more information about natural toothbrushes, it's

probably best to stick to an ADA-recommended toothbrush with medium-

soft, nylon bristles.

Get a heads up. When it comes to a toothbrush head, you might think that

bigger is better. That's not always the case. If you have a small mouth, a

toothbrush with a big head might make it difficult to angle your toothbrush

to brush hard-to-reach areas. Go for something that complements the size

of your mouth.

Choose a handle with care. The handles of toothbrushes are usually

colorful, sometimes translucent or even glittery. But don't be fooled into

thinking that "bright and shiny" is all you need. What you should really

look for is a toothbrush handle that feels comfortable in your hand and is

easy to maneuver. Also look for a non-slip surface, especially if you have

arthritis.

Don’t forget: After daily use, your toothbrush can lose its effectiveness and

even become a breeding ground for germs, fungus and bacteria. Who

wants that? 

To get the most out of your toothbrush, replace it frequently -- at least

every 1-3 months. And if you recently had a cold or infection, you may

have transferred germs to your toothbrush so be sure to use a new tooth-

brush.

As always please don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions or

need us for anything.  203-598-7920 

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