How important is choosing the right toothbrush? Considering that oral health is linked to overall well-being, it’s probably more critical than you think. Poor oral health is associated with a host of diseases and maladies, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity and more.
Choosing the right toothbrush is one of the most important decisions you can make for your health!
But with so many toothbrushes to pick from, which one should you use? This is one of the most common questions The Super Dentists hears from our patients.
Let’s take a look at different types of toothbrushes, bristle softness and other information to consider when choosing the right toothbrushes for you and your family.
All About Bristles: Soft vs. Extra Soft Toothbrushes
Choosing the right toothbrush starts with selecting the optimal bristle texture. There are three types of toothbrush bristles: soft, medium and hard. The Super Dentists recommends soft toothbrushes because they are gentle enough to protect your gums, yet flexible enough to access and remove tough-to-reach food particles, bacteria and other substances that can get stuck in the teeth.
Soft bristle toothbrushes also include an “extra soft” option that is ideal for toddlers and children still teething, or who have recently had their baby teeth come in. If you have children under the age of 5, use soft or extra soft toothbrushes).
If youre child is older than 5, , even though the gums are robust enough to handle a slightly “harder” bristle, we still suggest using soft bristles.
A quick note on brush size: small head brushes are preferable to regular heads, since they’re able to access more areas of the mouth, teeth and gums.
Which Types of Toothbrushes Are Right for My Family?
There are two main types of toothbrushes: the trusty old manual toothbrush and the electric toothbrush. Most people opt for a manual brush, while others swear by electric toothbrushes.
Which one is right for you? The Super Dentists co-founder, Dr. Kami , explains some of the benefits of manual and electric toothbrushes. “Manual brushes are gentler on teeth and can be more comfortable with kids who are losing lots of baby teeth. Kids need to learn how to brush correctly and develop good hand dexterity which manual brushes teach them to do. Manual brushes are also less expensive,” he said.
“Electric toothbrushes can be easier to use especially for kids with less hand dexterity,” Dr. Hoss added, but sometimes they create a false sense of correct usage if the toothbrush is just rotating and kids are not using correct brushing techniques.”
The Super Dentists recommends either/both electric or manual as long as whatever kids are using gets them excited and motivated to brush their teeth and brush them correctly, said Dr. Hoss.
The Super Dentists offers the perfect combination of manual and electric toothbrushes with our exclusive musical dental cleaning accessory for kids: The Super Toothbrush. Available in four different designs (DR. HAVEONESUPERSMILE, THE TOOTH KERI, CAVITAR and MOLAR), The Super Toothbrush is a manual toothbrush with a special twist. It plays a 2-minute song to keep kids brushing for the recommended amount of time.
Visit The Super Dentists for Family Friendly Dental Care & Much More!
The Super Dentists is San Diego’s premier dental care network, with six locations throughout the greater metro area. Our mission is simple: to reinvent and transform the dental experience for children.
Stop by and see why 1 out of every 5 kids in San Diego is a Super Dentists kid. From highly-skilled pediatric dentists, general dentists and orthodontists to state-of-the-art dental technologies to lounges an amenities for kids, teens, and parents, The Super Dentists provides exceptional care while making a visit to the dentist fun!
Book your visit today and experience the best pediatric, orthodontics and parent dental services in Southern California.
