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Soft vs. Medium bristled toothbrush

Feb 05, 2014

With all of the different toothbrushes on the market, you may wonder which one to choose. We are here to help you choose which manual toothbrush is the best for you.



Purpose of Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is the number one way to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth and gums. The mechanical motion of brushing your teeth is the main mode of removal. Removing the plaque and bacteria helps protect your teeth against tooth decay and periodontal disease. To that end, choosing a toothbrush that maximizes the plaque removal is ideal.


Bristle Strength

There are several different strengths of toothbrush bristles, the most widely used are extra soft, soft, and medium. In a study from Franciscan University Center in Santa Maria, Brazil, researchers found that medium bristled toothbrushes remove more plaque than soft bristled brushes. However, they also found that medium bristled brushes do more damage to your gums. In order to achieve whole mouth wellness, our Evanston dentists recommend using extra soft or soft bristles.


Add-ons

Some toothbrushes have added features such as floss action or rubber cups. Although these features may increase the effectiveness of your brushing, they do not replace the action of flossing as they cannot reach between your teeth. The rubber bits work well to remove additional staining from your tooth. If you are someone who eats and drinks a larger amount of staining foods – blueberries, coffee, red wine – these toothbrushes may help you keep your teeth whiter when used in conjunction with other whitening products.


Ideal Choice

The ideal choice for a toothbrush will be different for everyone. Choosing a brush with soft or extra soft bristles is a good starting point. After that consideration, choose a brush that is comfortable for you to use. It is important to choose a toothbrush that you feel comfortable using to ensure that you brush your teeth twice a day. If you find electric toothbrushes too complex, feel free to use a manual toothbrush with a toothbrush timer. Always aim for two minutes of brush time.


Choosing a toothbrush can be a personal decision, but no matter which brush shape and add-ons you choose, choose a soft or extra soft bristled brush to keep your gums healthy.

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