Tips To Help You Choose the Right Bristle Strength For Your Toothbrush…

Having the right tool can make all the difference. When it comes to toothbrushes, though, it can be hard to know which type is best. You have a host of toothbrush options, from manual to electric to ultrasonic, each making different claims. Here’s how to get the best result for any budget. With so many shapes, sizes and styles of toothbrushes on the market, toothbrushes have come a long way from the early days where they were made from boar’s hair. The bristles are now made of nylon and broken into three classes… soft, medium, and hard. Deciding which kind to buy can be confusing. Here’s what you should know…

Hard Bristles

Even though they do the best at removing plaque and food debris, many professionals feel they do more harm than good. The hard bristles can hurt your gums and cause them to erode. Also, hard bristles can damage tooth enamel. Hard bristled or extra firm toothbrushes are less common than the other styles and are disappearing.

Medium Bristles

Medium bristled toothbrushes are between soft and hard bristles. The bristles are stiff enough to remove debris but soft enough that they do not damage tooth enamel. You still need to be careful with your gums and do not use much pressure when brushing.

Soft Bristles

For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium and hard bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

Extra Soft Bristles

Extra soft bristle toothbrushes are beneficial for people with delicate gums or enamel. Extra soft toothbrushes are sometimes suggested after dental work or oral surgery.

Your bristle choice may be impacted by the type of toothbrush you prefer. Do you use a manual or electric toothbrush? If you use a manual toothbrush probably soft or manual would be your choice. It depends on the amount of pressure you use. The side of the toothbrush head and comfort of the handle also comes into play. If the toothbrush is too large for your mouth you are not going to cover all the surfaces of your teeth. If the handles are awkwardly shaped or too large or small this can also impact your efficiency.

Tooth-brushing Tips…

• Clean your toothbrush after each use by running under warm water for at least one minute.
• Store your toothbrush in an upright reach or cup, so it can air dry between uses
• Replace your toothbrush every three or four months or after a sickness.
• Clean between teeth daily once a day. Tooth decay-causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. Flossing is also a good idea
• Visit your dentist every six months

Contact us (859) 586-7900 for more information or to make an appointment!

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About Torbeck Dental

Torbeck Dental treats every patient with dignity and excellent care. We are highly-trained dental professionals with exceptionally friendly and helpful service. We understand that for many, visiting a dentist can be a stressful experience so our comfortable surroundings and compassionate staff will ease any fears you may have. We are here to help you achieve your happiest and healthiest smile! Our dental team are a group experienced professionals using the latest treatments. Our team has the professional experience to realize that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all treatment, so we never use a one-size-fits-all approach to your dental plan. We provide quality and personalized oral health care while keeping your individuality in mind. Our goal is to improve and maintain your oral health so you can smile with confidence!