How to Buy a Toothbrush

Choosing a new toothbrush is a bigger decision than you may realize. You want to get the best toothbrush possible, but you aren’t sure about how to go about selecting the right one. Surprisingly, it requires a little more effort than just going to the drugstore and choosing whatever you find.

Good oral hygiene greatly depends on regularly brushing your teeth. A lot of oral hygiene comes down to how well you brush, which depends on the quality of your toothbrush. Dr. Thomas D. Sokoly of Sokoly Dental explains more about how to choose the right toothbrush for you.

Why dental hygiene is important

Your oral health plays a crucial role in your overall health. While you should definitely keep up with regular cleanings and exams, this is only one component of taking care of your teeth.

The connection between your oral health and your overall health is very clear. According to the Mayo Clinic, poor oral health can lead to some of the following outcomes:

• Endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of your heart)
• Heart disease and stroke
• Pregnancy complications and premature birth
• Pneumonia
• Diabetes

It’s important to take care of your teeth because your health depends on them.

What is the right type of toothbrush?

For most adults, the right type of toothbrush should have a head that’s about a half-inch wide and one-inch tall. Most people are most comfortable with soft to medium bristles.

You should select a toothbrush that you’ll use, most of all. To protect your teeth, brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride, and follow a healthy diet that limits sugar as much as possible.

Should you get an electric toothbrush?

Many dentists recommend electric toothbrushes to their patients. In the best-case scenario, an electric toothbrush can clean your teeth more effectively. But that doesn’t account for the cost factors included in getting one or buying the replacement brush heads.

If you opt for getting an electric toothbrush, make sure that it’s worth the investment. You don’t want to go for the cheapest option. 

Most people who need daily cleaning of their teeth will do fine with the standard options. However, there are also electric toothbrushes that are designed for deeper cleaning. You can always ask Dr. Sokoly if you want opinions about what type of toothbrush is right for you.

How to brush your teeth the right way

You should make sure that you’re brushing correctly, in addition to having the correct toothbrush. When you brush your teeth, move the toothbrush in an up-and-down motion, rather than a side-to-side, sawing type of motion.

When you brush in an up-and-down motion, you can properly get to every inch of your tooth’s surface, as well as clean your gums. If you brush in a sawing type of motion, you’re more likely to brush too hard and wear away the enamel on your teeth, which can’t be replaced.

You also miss a lot of important spots on your teeth when you don’t brush properly. This makes it more likely that you can get dental cavities (caries) even though you’re regularly brushing your teeth.

If you’re due for a dental cleaning and an exam or just want to ask for opinions about toothbrushes, make an appointment for a consultation. Contact Dr. Sokoly at Sokoly Dental or book online today.