Brushing teeth is a routine self oral health measure for everyone, and is the most commonly used and effective method for mechanical removal of plaque and soft dirt. How to choose a toothbrush, which is an important tool in brushing teeth.

You will find that there are a wide variety of toothbrushes available on the market, including soft bristles, medium bristles or hard bristles, wide headed, narrow headed, manual and electric toothbrushes, etc. So what kind of toothbrush should we use? What should we pay attention to when choosing a toothbrush?

1、 Size of brush head

The toothbrush head is too large to reach the posterior tooth area, especially the buccal side of the upper and posterior teeth, which can easily cause plaque and food residue residue, leading to the occurrence of dental caries. The brush head is too small, resulting in low cleaning and brushing efficiency. The appropriate brush head is the one that can cover two teeth when the toothbrush is horizontally placed, usually 2.5-3cm in length and 0.8-1cm in width. To rotate freely in the oral cavity (especially in the posterior tooth area);

2、 The softness and hardness of the bristles

Although the cleaning effect of hard bristles is good, long-term use can easily wear teeth and puncture gums; And too soft fur can also lead to difficulty in grasping power, making it difficult to remove food residue and bacteria from the mouth. So generally, choose a medium or soft bristled brush head, which is not only flexible and easy to bend, but also effectively removes debris below the gingival margin and between teeth. For those who smoke or deposit dental stones all year round, a medium hardness toothbrush is often the most suitable. Elderly people or friends with periodontal disease can choose a soft bristled toothbrush to protect periodontal tissue.

3、 The handle of a toothbrush

The brush handle should have sufficient hardness and strength to withstand the force used when brushing teeth, not easily bent or broken, moisture-resistant, not absorbing moisture, and easy to dry. The brush handle should have an appropriate length and width, and should also comply with ergonomic characteristics, making it easy to grip and not easy to slide or rotate.

4、 Manual and electric toothbrushes

With the development of science and technology, in addition to manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes with special functions have also been designed. Dr. Wu Ge from Switzerland invented the first electric toothbrush in 1954, which was a "wired" electric toothbrush. With the development of the times, electric toothbrushes have now evolved to ultrasonic toothbrushes, which use ultrasound to clean teeth. Ultrasonic toothbrushes emit high-frequency but low amplitude fluctuations that can disrupt the bacterial chain that forms dental plaque and prevent it from adhering to the surface of teeth. They can act up to a depth of 5 millimeters below the gingival margin. Some people believe that electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes in brushing teeth, because compared to manual toothbrushes, the effectiveness of electric toothbrushes is less susceptible to personal brushing techniques. The benefits of using an electric toothbrush are particularly significant for people with limited hand dexterity or difficulty in reaching their posterior teeth. But for most people, research shows that brushing methods (including the amount of brushing time) are more important than choosing between manual or electric toothbrushes.

5、 How long do I need to change my toothbrush

After using a toothbrush for a period of time, the bristles will become bent, not only losing their cleaning effect but also damaging the gums. Therefore, the toothbrush should be replaced in a timely manner. The clinical trial results indicate that after three months of use, the bristles of the brush will have a certain degree of curvature, and the cleaning efficiency will decrease, which cannot achieve the expected oral cleaning effect. So, if the toothbrush appears to be starting to wear out or has been in use for three months (regardless of the previous situation), you should replace the toothbrush.

There are various designs for toothbrushes, and you can choose according to your specific situation. The basic principles for choosing a toothbrush include: (1) the brush head is small to rotate freely in the oral cavity; (2) the bristle hardness is moderate or soft, the bristle length is appropriate, and the top is rounded and blunt. This type of toothbrush ensures cleanliness while making the gums of the teeth softer, preventing harm during the brushing process, and avoiding wedge-shaped defects. (3) The brush handle is easy to grip and has a non slip design. (4) For those who cannot master the correct brushing method, especially those who prefer to use the horizontal brushing method, more efficient and specially designed toothbrushes can be appropriately selected, such as cross bristled toothbrushes or suitable electric toothbrushes. (5) For those who cannot develop good brushing habits, tools such as a timer and plaque indicator can be used in conjunction, or it is recommended to use an electric toothbrush with an intelligent guide.

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