When it comes to oral care, consistency is everything. The single most important element of good oral care is following a regular routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing.
Using the right toothbrush can make your daily oral care routine more enjoyable—and more effective
A toothbrush is personal, which is why they’re available in a variety of sizes and shapes. If you have a large mouth, you may prefer a full-sized toothbrush head. If you have a small mouth, opt for a compact head. And some adults even prefer youth or child-sized toothbrushes because they find them easier to use for brushing behind the back teeth.
A manual toothbrush works well if you are a diligent brusher, but more and more people are opting for power toothbrushes.
As with a manual toothbrush, the best power toothbrush for you is the one you like and will use everyday. Electric toothbrushes come in different sizes, too. In general, the replaceable heads of electric toothbrushes are smaller than the full-sized head of a manual toothbrush, so if you are used to a full-sized head, the electric toothbrush may take some getting used to.
But keep in mind that one of the benefits of the smaller head size on a power toothbrush is that it is better able to clean each tooth individually. Many different styles of brush heads are available, from polishing brush heads to brush heads for sensitive teeth. There are a number of varying bristle movements powered toothbrushes utilize. Oscillating-rotating technology is the only technology independently validated as better than manual brushing in reducing plaque and gingivitis.
The bottom line is that if you choose the toothbrush that is the right size and style for your mouth and your oral care needs, you’ll be able to clean your teeth more completely and help prevent bacterial buildup and the development of plaque.