Tooth brushing is oral hygiene 101. A simple toothbrush is the most important defense against all mouth diseases, mainly decay and gum disease. As such, your toothbrush is considered your main weapon, protecting you from all these diseases. For that reason, choosing a suitable toothbrush is a very important endeavor. However, some people neglect it – they think all toothbrushes are the same. So, how should you choose the right toothbrush? What criteria should go into my selection? Why is that choice so important?
All are good questions, and the answers we’ll try to provide here may shed some light on the matter.
Why is Your Toothbrush Selection Important?
While all human mouths are composed of the same structures (these are the teeth, gums, muscles, and bones), they couldn’t be more different. Like our DNA, no two human mouths are exactly the same. The difference may lie in the number of teeth, their arrangement, their size, the shape and structure of the gums, and a lot more.
While the differences are usually subtle, they affect the internal environment of the mouth greatly. Therefore, to keep the mouth clean and disease free, your toothbrush must be suitable to your personal oral environment. Bigger mouths and teeth need bigger-sized brushes, while crooked teeth may need toothbrushes with special extensions to get to those difficult-to-clean areas. For that reason, the answer to the question “how to choose the right toothbrush” matters. Your choice may be your savior from a lot of trouble and oral diseases.
So: How to Choose the Right Toothbrush?
As we’ve explained, choosing the right toothbrush is a decision that depends on the nature of your oral environment. No one can help you determine that better than your dentist. Ask your dentist’s advice in choosing the right toothbrush for your particular situation. He or she can assess the condition of the teeth and gums, the size of your mouth, and other factors that should go into your selection.
On average, a flat nylon toothbrush is suitable for most people, provided you select the size that fits you. In simpler terms, a brush that covers about 3 teeth at a time during brushing is a good size. This form of brush would be suitable to clean all the surfaces of the teeth efficiently, making sure most of the plaque is removed. If you have another condition that could alter that situation, then seek advice from your dentist ASAP.
So there you have it: that’s how to choose the right toothbrush. Make sure your dentist is involved in your selection. However, until then, a flat toothbrush should do the trick.
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