Your toothbrush keeps your pearly white clean and healthy, but can the kind of toothbrush you use get them cleaner and healthier? Learn about the different types of toothbrushes and how to properly care for them.
Types Of Toothbrushes
- Electronic: Though more expensive, this type can have different gadgets such as rechargeable batteries, timers, and multiple power levels. However, they don’t really clean teeth that much better than manual ones do, unless they have a rotating-oscillating head. This toothbrush is a good choice for those who have a condition that makes brushing difficult, such as arthritis.
- Manual: These clean your teeth just as well as most electronic toothbrushes and are more inexpensive.
- Angled: Though straight toothbrushes clean teeth very well, angled ones back it easier to clean the back of your mouth.
- Soft Bristled: Toothbrushes with soft bristles are actually recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) because they are less likely to damage gums and teeth.
How To Care For Your Toothbrush
- Always rinse after use.
- Store it in an upright position. Do not cover the toothbrush or keep it in a closed container because doing so can encourage bacteria growth.
- Allow the toothbrush to air-dry before using it again.
- Change your toothbrush (or the head for electronic types) every three to four months or when the bristles fray. Old toothbrushes don’t clean teeth very well and can collect bacteria that causes bad breath and other oral health problems.