Growing up, did brushing your teeth feel like a chore? No matter if you’re an excited or reluctant brusher these days, it’s clear that the options for oral health keep growing. Eco-friendly brushes, sensitive toothpaste, and electric bristle heads are advertised all over social media, but what works best for your unique mouth?

You need the right toothbrush and toothpaste that fights your oral issues and improves them, which means you need the right information to make a decision. It’s time to get into the details of oral health products and clear the confusion! Here’s what you need to know to find the perfect toothbrush and toothpaste.

There’s More Than Meets The Teeth

Just walking into the toothbrush aisle at the grocery store can overwhelm you. Let’s break down the brush choices into two main categories: manual and electric.

Manual

Manual toothbrushes are pretty self-explanatory: they’re the classic style, with a handle and bristles on the end. A quality, thorough cleaning with a manual toothbrush takes wetting the bristles, applying toothpaste, and brushing your teeth in circular or back-and-forth motions for at least two minutes, twice a day. One of the benefits of a manual toothbrush is its accessibility and affordability. They’re available at most grocery stores, drugstores, and supermarkets, which makes them easy to buy and replace. Compared to electric toothbrushes, they’re much cheaper.

With manual toothbrushes, you control the amount of pressure you apply when brushing, which can be particularly helpful for people with sensitive teeth or gums. The disadvantages though come in their effectiveness, especially in hard-to-reach areas. To get the kind of cleaning your teeth need manuals rely on your personal dexterity and effort to use effectively, which can be challenging for people with limited mobility or arthritis.

Electric

Electric toothbrushes sport a battery and a motorized bristle head on the end of a usually much thicker handle. Turn one on, and the bristles may rotate or vibrate to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Many electric toothbrushes come with additional features, such as timers and pressure sensors, making sure sensitive teeth are taken care of and the right amount of brushing occurs.

One of the main benefits of an electric toothbrush is their effectiveness at removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums compared to manual toothbrushes. The quick-moving bristles bring deeper and more thorough cleaning, which can lead to better oral health like fewer cavities. Also, electric toothbrushes can be easier to use for people with limited mobility or arthritis, since they need less manual dexterity and effort to use. The disadvantages of electric toothbrushes is that they are often more expensive than manual toothbrushes and need new brush heads and batteries, an extra expense compared to manual brushes. 

When choosing your toothbrush, think about:

• Choosing a toothbrush with soft bristles to avoid damaging your tooth enamel and gums.
• The size and shape of the toothbrush head should reach all areas of your mouth comfortably.
• If you have limited mobility or arthritis, consider an electric toothbrush with features such as a larger handle or a timer to make brushing easier.

Toothpaste Types

Even if picking toothpaste is simple for you, the quest for the best cleaning agent has never been straightforward.  The easiest way to break down the world of toothpaste choices is two categories: fluoride-based and naturally-based.

Fluoride-Based

The mineral fluoride is known to strengthen enamel and protect from tooth decay by stopping the growth of bacteria in the mouth and remineralizing areas of the teeth that have been damaged by acid. Along with helping to neutralize mouth acids, fluoride is a key ingredient to most toothpastes, and the central element to the purpose of the toothpaste it’s included in.

The benefits of fluoride-based toothpaste include preventing tooth decay and maintaining good oral health, and regular use has been shown to reduce the incidence of cavities in both children and adults. On top of this, fluoride toothpaste is cheap and easy to find, as it’s the most popular on the market.

Natural Ingredients

Natural alternatives to the large majority of fluoride-based toothpaste grow in popularity every year. One of the most popular alternatives is baking soda, which can help neutralize harmful acids in the mouth and provide a mild abrasive to remove plaque and stains from the teeth. Another natural alternative is coconut oil, which has antibacterial properties that stop harmful bacteria from growing in the mouth. Essential oils such as peppermint and tea tree oil can also work to cleanse and refresh your mouth. They, however, do not have any cavity prevention powers built in.

Natural alternatives to fluoride-based toothpaste have clear disadvantages in their effectiveness; they aren’t always as cleansing as their fluoride-based counterparts. Natural toothpaste alternatives may also not be as widely available or as affordable as traditional toothpaste.

In making your decision on toothpaste, pay attention to:

• How effective your choice prevents tooth decay and cavities
• If you have sensitive teeth or gums, look for toothpaste that is specifically designed for sensitive teeth.
• Consider the flavor of the toothpaste. You want to enjoy using it and will be more likely to brush regularly!

Your Dentist Knows Best

With any dental decision, a quick conversation with your dentist can help clear up your questions and preferences about the perfect toothbrush or toothpaste. Never be afraid to bring your concerns about your current dental care routine to a professional that can add insight to your search.

Schedule your online appointment with us today, and let’s find the right toothbrush and toothpaste for the job together!