Toothbrushes and toothpaste are essential oral care items you can pick up at so many stores. Today, both manual and electric toothbrushes come in many shapes and sizes. They are typically made of plastic moulded handles and nylon bristles.They come for infants, kids and adults. Choosing one is often a time-consuming hassle since we don’t know exactly what to choose. Either we go with the latest ad that we have seen recently or else we go with the colour that first catches our eye.

However, let’s try and make your next toothbrush shopping a little bit easier.

So much said, tooth brushes are primarily available for three groups: Infants, Kids and Adults.

Infants

For infants you have the finger brushes. They are very soft and available in different colours. They are advisable for infants till the age of 3, by then almost all the milk teeth would have emerged. Using finger brushes soothes the gums of babies during teething and also prevents decaying of teeth that happens even when they are only breast-fed.

Kids

In this case you have to keep in mind the grasp of the tooth brush. For this, the handle should be long and thick so that kids can manoeuvre it with control. The head part of the brush should be small as well as smooth and rounded as it should not traumatise the gum and cheeks .

Adults

Since adults have a wide range of options to choose from, let’s break the process down to few steps.

Should I Decide on Manual or an Automatic?

As long as you spend two minutes each time you brush, twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, it doesn’t matter. However, you might be better off with a powered toothbrush if you:

• • need help ensuring you brush for the proper amount of time. Many powered toothbrushes alert you when you’ve brushed for two minutes—some signal when you’ve brushed each of the four quadrants of your teeth for 30 seconds.
  • tend to brush too vigorously
  • are physically disabled (bed ridden, mentally retarded )

Choose the type of bristles best suited for your teeth

Most dental professionals agree that a soft-bristled toothbrush is best for teeth, especially for removing plaque and debris. A soft toothbrush should do the job when brushing your teeth thoroughly for two minutes.

Medium and stiff bristles might be too hard on gums and enamel. Unless your dentist recommends brushing with a medium or hard toothbrush, stick with the soft bristles.

Choose the size of toothbrush head

Small-headed brushes can better reach all areas of the mouth – including hard-to-reach back teeth.You might also check with your dentist to determine if you need any particular toothbrush on which the bristles are patterned or tapered on the head.

Pick out a brush handle that’s best for you

Depending on your situation, you might require an angled, non-slip grip, or flexible-neck handle.

And Finally Go for Your Favorite Color Toothbrush

This is the fun part. Once you narrow down your choices to your best toothbrush, go wild!

How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

This is as important as choosing the best toothbrush for yourself. Please make sure to replace your toothbrush or the head of an automatic one frequently.

To replace a toothbrush or its head (in case of an automatic brush) consider the following scenarios.

• • • You have recovered from a cold – It is strongly recommended to replace your brush after the disease else, your brush bristles might collect germs leading to reinfection.
    • It begins to show wear-and-tear.
    • You’ve used it for three consecutive months.

(Tip: When you pull out a new toothbrush or powered brush head, note in your calendar three months from that day to change your brush.)

That much said, We believe, choosing the most effective and most comfortable toothbrush for everyone in the family, should be a breeze.

Happy Brushing!!!