What is the best toothbrush?

The best toothbrush is the one you will use! Whether it’s an electric toothbrush, a traditional manual brush, or a Barbie x Moon toothbrush – if it gets you excited about keeping up with your daily oral hygiene – then we recommend it. While upgrading your toothbrush isn’t always necessary for general dental care, some patients will see better results with a toothbrush that fits their dental needs or lifestyle. Also, it can be nice to stay motivated to make brushing a little more exciting (so if a Hello Kitty electric toothbrush helps your kids get more excited to brush, it’s a good thing!)

Our Winter Park dentist or hygienist is the best resource if you're unsure about your brushing habits or need a specific recommendation. They can evaluate the effectiveness of your brushing habits and look for signs of under-brushing, over-brushing too much pressure, or even specific areas that might be more difficult for your unique situation. Their professional guidance can help you make an informed decision about your toothbrush selection. 

Should I upgrade to an electric toothbrush?

While both electric and manual toothbrushes can effectively clean your teeth, electric toothbrushes offer some distinct advantages that might motivate you to consider an upgrade.

• Electric toothbrushes offer some unique benefits. For starters, they provide a more consistent and thorough cleaning. Their high-frequency rotation or vibration can effectively dislodge plaque and food particles from teeth and gums. They also excel at reaching those tricky spots, like the back of your molars, making your cleaning routine more efficient and effective.

• Second, many electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers to help you brush for the recommended two minutes, ensuring you brush for the appropriate amount of time. This can be especially helpful for children or people who need help focusing on the task. Some electric toothbrushes even have a signal during brushing to switch to different quadrants of the mouth to help prevent missed areas.

• Finally, some electric toothbrushes have additional features like pressure sensors, multiple brushing modes, and Bluetooth connectivity to help track your brushing habits and improve your oral hygiene routine. For example, during your next dental checkup, you can ask your local dentist or hygienist if they notice any signs of gum recession or other indicators of over-brushing. This can signal too much pressure (whether with an electric or manual toothbrush), and these advanced features may help. Additionally, notice your teeth (and daily habits) make you more prone to staining. An advanced electric toothbrush with a "whitening" or "polishing" mode may be helpful in the daily removal of stains before they start to build up.

What if I don’t want an electric toothbrush?

Manual toothbrushes can still be effective if used properly. It's important to brush for two minutes twice daily, using fluoride toothpaste and a proper brushing technique to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. Some patients can brush better with a manual brush.

A simple manual brush (like our own bamboo toothbrush provided free at your next dental visit) benefits from having more direct control from your hands to the brush – which results in feeling exactly where you are brushing and targeting specific areas. If your local dentist or hygienist notices a particular area of concern or where you are prone to cavities – brushing with a manual toothbrush can push you to slow down and focus on the amount of time and pressure applied to each area of the mouth and even individual teeth.

In contrast, with an electric toothbrush, sometimes a lack of 'feel' or 'tactility' can result in patients developing a habit of good brushing in most of the mouth but missed or inadequate areas in specific spots.

Whether an electric or manual toothbrush is better depends on your preference, budget, and oral health needs. It's always a good idea to consult your local dentist or dental hygienist to determine the best toothbrush.

What is the best toothbrush for whitening?

To have some daily stain-fighting and “whitening” for your teeth, we recommend using a quality electric toothbrush (such as an Oral-B or Sonicare) at or above the $50 price point with a whitening toothpaste (our current favorite is Colgate Optic White without hydrogen peroxide). If you have some cosmetic dental procedures done (such as veneers or crowns), the most important thing is to use a toothbrush that won't damage your teeth or any restorations. Brushing your teeth properly with a toothbrush with soft bristles is essential to avoid any abrasion or damage to the enamel, gums, or dental restorations.

Therefore, a soft-bristled manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with soft bristles can be suitable for cosmetic dentistry. Choosing a toothbrush with a small head is essential to help you reach all areas of your mouth, including hard-to-reach areas around your dental work. 

The one trend we don't recommend across toothbrushes is the "charcoal-infused" brush heads. At this time, we don't feel there is enough study or evidence to show benefits from these types of bristles—and they can potentially be more abrasive than helpful to any sensitive cosmetic work you may have performed, such as veneers or crowns.

In addition to using the right toothbrush, brushing your teeth regularly, at least twice a day, and flossing daily is essential. Maintaining good oral hygiene habits can help keep your teeth and cosmetic dental work in excellent condition, ensuring a healthy and beautiful smile.

It's always best to consult your cosmetic dentist or regular dentist for personalized recommendations for the best toothbrush for your specific needs and dental work.

If you need help evaluating if your toothbrush is effective, schedule an appointment with us online!