Which Type of Toothbrush Is Best? And When Should You Throw a Toothbrush Out?

We all use our toothbrush a lot, and it helps us to maintain healthy teeth, fight off bacteria and protect our gums. But many people are unsure of which type of toothbrush they should use, as well as questions over when to replace toothbrush heads, and the topic of bristles. Now, a dental professional has answered these questions and provided general guidance, which is useful for us all.

The toothbrush is the main tool that we use for our oral health. It is what we use each day to clean our teeth, with the aim of keeping harmful bacteria and tooth decay at bay.

Despite its importance, not many people put a lot of thought into their toothbrush. Instead, most people just use it, put it away and pick it up again later in the day – before the cycle repeats.

But in actual fact, it is important to think about our toothbrush. This includes knowing when to swap one toothbrush for another, whether a manual or electric brush is better, and then the question over using hard or soft bristles.

Now, Jane Cotter – Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University’s Caruth School of Dental Hygiene – has spoken about these questions [1]. As an expert in her field, she has been able to provide answers on these areas, which is very useful.

The different choices of toothbrush

The two different types of toothbrushes are electric and manual. Electric toothbrushes are brushes that – as the name suggests – are powered by electric, resulting in rapid and automatic bristle movement. Manual toothbrushes are brushes that a person will use to brush their teeth by hand.

Cotter commented on the different choices. She remarked that “research has consistently shown that electric toothbrushes clean better than manual toothbrushes” [1]. Research affirming this dates all the way back to 1989 [2].

Cotter also mentioned about how electric toothbrushes usually have 2 minute timers, which lets the user know when they have completed the recommended brush time [1]. Many also have pulses at each 30-second interval – with the intention of letting the user know it is time to move onto a new quadrant. These user-friendly features help to ensure that each part of the mouth gets adequate attention.

Going further, there is also the choice between soft and hard bristles. The bristles are found at the head of the brush, and are what actually clean the teeth. Some people prefer harder bristles, while others prefer softer ones.

Cotter recommends that we should use soft-bristled toothbrushes to clean our teeth. Because hard-bristled toothbrushes can potentially damage tooth enamel, it is better to use soft-bristled toothbrushes [1]. However, hard bristles can still be effective if used carefully.

How often should a toothbrush be replaced?

It can be tempting to use a toothbrush until it is completely worn out. However, this isn’t advisable for a number of reasons.

Cotter states that “The American Dental Association recommends that toothbrushes need to be replaced every three months” [1]. She mentioned that if brushes are used for longer than three months, the bristles could become frayed [1]. Therefore, this could lead to damage to the gums.

The three-month timeline mentioned above is applicable to both manual and electric toothbrush heads. We should note that when talking about replacing a toothbrush, we mean the head, rather than the whole brush!

But the three-month period should be seen as a maximum. If there are signs that the brush is becoming worn, is fraying or spreading out, then you should replace it. Cotter points out that “some toothbrushes have bristles that change color over time to help patients know when they need replacing” [1].

A note on toothbrush storage

Something that most of us don’t think of is how to safely store toothbrushes between use. Cotter actually mentions a useful point about the environment in which the toothbrush is located.

According to Cotter, toothbrushes shouldn’t be routinely kept near to those of others. This is because viruses, including cold, flu and the coronavirus, thrive in a moist environment and can spread through physical contact [1]. Therefore, with the mouth being so crucial in all of the above, it can be dangerous for toothbrushes to be near one another.

Commenting on the above, Cotter says that “it is important to store your toothbrush in a vertical, upright position in the open air so that it will dry out between uses”, which “helps control bacterial and fungal growth on the bristles” [1].

Moreover, this is particularly important given how bacteria is a major factor in the development of several oral health conditions. Recent research shows that those who keep their toothbrush clean and use it well host less microbial communities – meaning less bacteria is present [3]. This adds another reason to use the toothbrush both frequently and effectively.

While the above forms the opinion of an expert, everyone needs to find their own way of brushing their teeth in a comfortable way. The evidence does show that soft-bristled electric toothbrushes that have their head changed at least once every three months and kept in the open air – provide optimum benefit to oral health.

Thinking points…

1) Cleaning our teeth is crucial for our oral health, and forms the best way of protecting our teeth. This article provides some great advice in this area. But brushing alone won’t always stop cavities or other problems from forming. Therefore, always keep in regular contact with your dentist, and remember to see them for appointments at least twice a year. If you have not had an appointment recently, we urge you to book an appointment now!

2) This article offers a great chance to reflect on your toothbrush habits. For example, how often do you change your brush head? Or what type of bristle do you use – and where do you keep your brush overnight? Have a think about the above questions, and how they compare to Cotter’s recommendations. It could be worth making some changes, or at least having a discussion with your dentist about practical ways of improving your oral hygiene and brushing.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide their patients with advice, a comfortable experience and treatment to improve oral health where needed.

Importantly, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is helpful.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on your appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca .

References

[1] Brock, L. (2022). How to choose a toothbrush and when to throw it out. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-05-toothbrush.html. Last accessed: 20th May 2022.

[2] Boyd, R. L., Murray, P., & Robertson, P. B. (1989). Effect of rotary electric toothbrush versus manual toothbrush on periodontal status during orthodontic treatment. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 96 (4): p342-347. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0889-5406(89)90354-5.

[3] Blaustein, R. A., Michelitsch, L-M., Glawe, A. J., Lee, H., Huttelmaier, S., Hellgeth, N., Maamar, S. B., & Hartmann, E. M. (2021). Toothbrush microbiomes feature a meeting ground for human oral and environmental microbiota. Microbiome. 9 (32). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-020-00983-x.