How to choose a toothbrush

Part of practicing good oral hygiene is brushing your teeth at least twice a day. If you can you should brush your teeth after eating, but a lot of time this is not possible so dentists recommend that you brush two times a day, morning and night. Part of brushing your teeth is choosing a toothbrush that works best for you.

Toothbrushes come in a large variety. Toothbrushes come in a three different bristle types: soft, medium, and hard. Toothbrushes also have a variety of heads: tapered heads, boxy heads, angled heads, etc. Handles on toothbrushes also vary: neon handles, rubber handles that bend, cartoon characters on the handles, etc. With all of these differences it is no wonder that people have a hard time deciding what type of tooth brush to choose.

Here are some tips to follow when selecting a toothbrush.

Tip one:
The bristles are the most important thing to consider when you are buying a toothbrush. You want to choose a toothbrush that has soft nylon bristles. The soft bristles will not damage your teeth even after a vigorous brushing and the soft bristles will last longer than hard bristles.

Tip two:
The head of the toothbrush should be small enough to access the hard to reach areas of your mouth. A variety of heads are available because of the differences in people's mouths. Some people have a wide mouth that enables them to use a larger head, while others might not be able to open their mouths as wide so a smaller angled head would work better. You might need to try a variety of heads before finding one that is right for you.

Tip three:
When deciding between electronic or manual toothbrushes you need to follow the same guidelines on heads and bristles. Some people might prefer the electronic type of toothbrushes because they can make brushing easier, but there is no added benefit to electronic toothbrushes.

Tip four:
Replace your toothbrush at least every three months. Toothbrushes might have to be replaced sooner due to wearing them out or infections that you might have had. After recovering from an infection it is a good idea to replace your toothbrush because bacteria from your mouth can transfer to your toothbrush. Replacing your toothbrush can help prevent you from getting sick again.

Not only is choosing the right toothbrush important but so is brushing your teeth properly. Here are some tips to follow when brushing your teeth.

Tip one:
Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle. This helps to ensure that the bristles are cleaning below the gum line.

Tip two:
Brush in a circular motion for two to three minutes. Simply brushing side to side or up and down will not remove all of the plaque. By brushing in a circular motion you are removing the plaque not just simply moving it on your teeth.

Tip three:
When brushing your teeth do not forget to include your tongue. Like your teeth your tongue collects food particles that can turn into bacteria. Tongue scrapers work best but your toothbrush can also remove these particles.

Teaching your children proper brushing techniques from an early age helps to ensure that they will practice good oral hygiene.

The main thing to remember when choosing a toothbrush is that you might have to try a variety of toothbrushes before finding one that you like. Toothbrushes like everything else come in a variety of prices, so just remember expensive does not always mean better.