Although it sounds trivial, the selection of a toothbrush can greatly affect the health of your teeth and mouth. If you use the wrong toothbrush, your teeth and gums can actually hurt. So that the function of the toothbrush is optimal and does not damage it, know how to choose a toothbrush and how to care for it.
Currently, there are many variations of shapes and brands of toothbrushes that are sold freely in the market. However, regardless of the variety of toothbrushes available, you must prioritize the toothbrush that can work optimally and is most comfortable for you.
Tips for Choosing the Right Toothbrush
Here are some things that can be your consideration in choosing the right toothbrush.
Toothbrush size
Choose a toothbrush head with a tapered tip, so that it is easier for the toothbrush to reach the entire surface of the teeth to the very tip. The handle also needs to be long enough to make it easier for you to move it.
Also choose a toothbrush that is the right size for your mouth. A toothbrush that is too small can make it difficult for you to brush all of your teeth and take up more time. Meanwhile, a toothbrush that is too large in the mouth can nudge and injure the gums.
Type of bristles
Choosing the type of bristles actually depends on how hard you brush your teeth and the strength of your gums and teeth. Toothbrush labels are often written as soft,medium, or hard.
If you have sensitive teeth or gums that bleed easily, choose a soft-bristled toothbrush (soft). The type of soft toothbrush bristles is actually more recommended for the general public because the risk of hurting the gums is smaller.
Medium toothbrush bristles (medium) or hard (hard) is indeed more effective in cleaning dental plaque. However, the bristles of this type of brush can damage your gums, tooth roots, and even the protective layer of your teeth if you brush your teeth too vigorously.
electric toothbrush
An electric toothbrush can be the right choice of toothbrush for certain people, such as people with arthritis or the elderly with stiffness in their hands, arms, or shoulders. People who use braces are also easier and more precise when cleaning teeth and wires if they use an electric toothbrush.
Although the price of an electric toothbrush is quite expensive compared to a manual toothbrush, the effectiveness of these two types of toothbrush is not much different. As long as you brush your teeth the right way, both manual and electric toothbrushes are equally effective at removing plaque on your teeth and gums.
Tips for Caring for a Toothbrush
The tools you use every day to clean your teeth are not necessarily clean. However, there are some tips that you can apply to take care of your toothbrush so that it is kept clean, including:
- Wash the toothbrush under tap water to remove any food debris or toothpaste residue.
- After use, do not place a wet toothbrush in the lid.
- Place the toothbrush on a rack or in an open cup, so the bristles can dry. Position the toothbrush head up.
- Avoid touching toothbrushes when stored
- Avoid lending or borrowing toothbrushes to other people because there is a risk of spreading bacteria and viruses that cause infection.
- Soak your toothbrush in an antibacterial mouthwash every few days to kill any bacteria that have accumulated on the bristles of the toothbrush.
- Avoid boiling or heating the toothbrush to kill bacteria as this will only damage the toothbrush.
- Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or when the bristles look unusable.
Toothbrushes have a big role in maintaining the health and hygiene of teeth and mouth. The tips for choosing a toothbrush are important for you to apply, because often the wrong toothbrush can actually injure and increase tooth and gum problems.
Also pay attention to how to care for it, because an untreated toothbrush will not be effective in cleaning teeth and mouth. In addition, do not forget to check your teeth to the dentist at least every 6 months, so that your oral health is always monitored.
