Soft, Medium, Or Buzz Lightyear?

At La Costa Dental Excellence, we’re often asked how to choose the most basic tool of oral hygiene, the toothbrush. Picking a toothbrush can be as difficult as choosing a paint color, and there seems to be just as many choices.

If you have visited the dental section of your local grocery store or drug store lately, you know what I am talking about. There are brushes with bristles of varying lengths, brushes that massage your gums, and brushes that change color when they are used up. (If I had to rate them purely on their fun factor, I would choose the Spiderman brush.)

Some toothbrush manufacturers claim their brushes freshen your breath or remove stains from your teeth. How do you choose?

One key factor is the firmness of the bristles. Hard bristles may be more effective for cleaning burnt steak off a grill or hard water deposits off a shower floor. However, this does not hold true for your teeth. Medium and firm brushes can damage your gums. Soft and extra-soft bristles are plenty stiff enough to clean plaque, food particles, and surface stains from your teeth. Soft bristles also offer more flexibility for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

After having dental work or oral surgery, especially anything involving soft tissue grafts, make sure you use an extra-soft brush and be careful!

When buying a toothbrush for a child, make sure the brush feels comfortable in his or her hand. If the size and angle feels awkward, the child will be less likely to use it long enough to clean all areas of the mouth. Children do not necessarily need a child-sized tooth brush. Some kids can manage an adult size brush better than a short, narrow child size brush. If you are unsure, ask your dentist.

What about the electric types and water-shooters? Some residents like the feeling of vibrating bristles or a mini-squirt gun blasting away at the plaque. Those with arthritis or other movement-inhibiting conditions can benefit from powered brushes which take some strain off hands and arm muscles.
Is your toothbrush doing the job? Schedule an exam with us.Our committed-to-excellence dental hygienists instruct patients of all ages on proper brushing and flossing. If you haven’t experienced a dental deep cleaning at La Costa Dental Excellence, you don’t know how clean your teeth and gums can feel.

Schedule a thorough dental cleaning today by calling us at 760-633-3033. We offer cosmetic dentistry and a full spectrum of restorative dental procedures.