ADA | Queen City Dental Arts https://www.queencitydentist.com Thu, 22 Jun 2023 18:08:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 So Many Toothbrushes So Little Time https://www.queencitydentist.com/so-many-toothbrushes-so-little-time/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 06:02:17 +0000 https://www.queencitydentist.com/?p=502 Hopefully, we all follow our dentist’s recommendation of brushing our teeth twice a day. But how do we choose what kind of toothbrush is best? With all of the options available to us, it can be difficult to feel confident in what we’re using to keep those pearly whites staying pearly white! There actually really is no [...]

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]]> Hopefully, we all follow our dentist’s recommendation of brushing our teeth twice a day. But how do we choose what kind of toothbrush is best? With all of the options available to us, it can be difficult to feel confident in what we’re using to keep those pearly whites staying pearly white! There actually really is no right or wrong answer or any “best” toothbrush. A toothbrush that you are comfortable using and that you will use every day is what’s best for you! To help you make a decision, here are some tips that we have found helpful in choosing a toothbrush and what to look for when it’s time to replace what you have.

You do want to take into consideration the size of the toothbrush head. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but typically, for adults, the regular adult toothbrush size is adequate. People who have smaller mouths may opt to buy a brush with a smaller head so they can reach the back teeth where there’s less room. It’s important to choose a brush with a long enough handle that can help you to reach all the sides of all of your teeth. One with a non-slip grip helps too so you can hang on to it when your brush gets wet.

Toothbrush bristles also come in a variety of options. Soft-bristled brushes are the only ones we recommend as medium or hard bristles can actually damage the enamel, tooth roots and the gums.

Many people think an electric toothbrush will get your teeth cleaner, but studies don’t show a statistically significant difference in the prevention of gum disease for people who use an electric vs a manual toothbrush. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference. A manual toothbrush can do just as good of a job if used properly and for the correct amount of time (2 minutes!). Electric toothbrushes are great for people with limited range of motion, such as arthritis, or for people who rush through brushing. Many electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer that tells you when your 2 minutes are up. Some people prefer the feeling of a toothbrush that vibrates while others prefer the feeling of a manual brush. The brush heads of electric brushes tend to be smaller as well, so that may take some getting used to if you do make the switch.

Your best rule of thumb when choosing a toothbrush is to choose one that is ADA approved. Once you see that seal of approval, it comes down to which brush are you going to use and use well! Dr. Stenvall and the team at Queen City Dental Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina, are always happy to answer any questions about products you might see. You can reach us at 704-542-6533, and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit!

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