Which Toothbrush Do I Choose?

Choosing the right toothbrush is no easy task! There are seemingly hundreds to choose from. And when you have braces, it makes the choice that much harder. Since brushing is the single most important thing you can do to maintain healthy teeth and gums, choosing the right toothbrush is very important.

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a toothbrush...

• Purchase a brush with soft bristles. The soft bristles help remove the plaque better without damaging the enamel or injuring the gums.
• Make sure the toothbrush is not too large. A smaller brush head will make it easier to get into the smaller spaces between the teeth and around your braces.
• It is important to replace your toothbrush about every 3 months. And if you are wearing braces, you may need to replace it even sooner. Worn bristles become less effective at removing the plaque from your teeth.
• Consider purchasing an electric toothbrush.

While it is possible to do an adequate job brushing using a manual toothbrush, for someone who is wearing braces, the use of an electric toothbrush definitely has it's advantages. Because the electric brush moves itself, more focus can be placed on how the brush is angled, allowing the patient to do a better job. There is also a tendency to not brush as hard, so there is less injury to the gums and less gum recession. Patients are often more motivated to use an electric toothbrush; it makes brushing a little more fun!

For our patients at DiCiccio Orthodontics, we highly recommend the Phillips Sonicare toothbrush. This toothbrush has been clinically proven to remove plaque from the teeth and braces much better than a regular toothbrush. The sonic technology creates a unique brushing action which drives fluid between the teeth, along the gumline and around the braces to clean more effectively. Another great advantage is that the Sonicare has a 2 minute timer to help ensure that you are brushing for the proper length of time.

The Braun Oral-B toothbrush is another popular electric toothbrush that gets good reviews. The motion of the Oral-B is different from that of the Sonicare. The Oral-B has an oscillatory motion, while the Sonicare has a vibrating movement. Both toothbrushes perform well, however for someone with braces, in our opinion, the Sonicare would be the toothbrush of choice.