Toothbrushes, a guide to choosing

Knowing how to choose your toothbrush is very important. There are many types of toothbrushes based on the hardness of the bristles, the shape of the brush head and the handle, and everyone must know how to choose the one best suited to their needs and the characteristics of their oral cavity. For example, in the case of sensitive teeth or cases of gingivitis or pyorrhoea, it is important to avoid bristles that are too hard and aggressive, and the same is true when oral hygiene is carried out after an operation, a dental extraction or a specific treatment. In these latter cases, it is important to use soft bristles until any wounds have completely healed or healed.

Structural characteristics of the toothbrush

The function of the toothbrush is to ensure proper oral hygiene and is made up of two main parts: the brush head, which is equipped with cleaning bristles of various types and shapes, and the handle, most of which is ergonomic and designed to ensure a comfortable grip.

The choice of brush head is the most important thing. The size should never be more than 2.5 cm to allow it to reach the most difficult parts of the oral cavity. In addition, the rounded corners of the brush head prevent trauma to the gums or palate, the most delicate and cut-prone parts of the mouth.
In addition, there should be no gaps in the brush head at the junction of the bristles to prevent bacteria from nesting in the spaces and not being able to be removed. Finally, some toothbrushes have a special tongue cleaner usually located behind the brush head. Some toothbrush models are equipped with special rubber or latex fins on the sides of the head, which have the useful function of massaging the gums while brushing the teeth.
When they have a flexible head, some toothbrushes provide more effective cleaning because they also reach and sanitise the tongue and palate area. In addition, the flexible head allows the toothbrush and bristles to better adapt to the irregular and jagged surface of molar teeth.

Choice of toothbrush bristles:

The first thing dentists suggest is to avoid natural bristles because they have a higher probability of accumulating bacteria with a high risk of caries. Therefore, always prefer artificial bristles, which are more hygienic and resistant.

Speaking of hardness, bristles should be chosen carefully according to one’s situation. The most common and most widely used are the medium-hard bristles, immediately followed by the soft bristles, indicated in cases of gum sensitivity or dental hypersensitivity. These bristles not only reduce the risk of trauma but also protect tooth enamel more than hard bristles. Hard bristle toothbrushes are much more resistant and are suitable for all types of teeth that do not have any particular pathologies or needs.

What characteristics should the ideal toothbrush have?

The ideal toothbrush should possess the following characteristics:

• Durable
• Gentle on the gums
• Affordable
• Adapt to the user’s needs in shape, size and structure
• Effective properties and functionality for removing plaque and food residues even in the smallest and most inaccessible spaces
• Short head and synthetic bristles with rounded tips
• Odourless and tasteless
• Ergonomic and comfortable handle
• Latex-free and hypoallergenic materials