Toothbrush
A toothbrush is an oral hygiene tool that consists of a small brush on a handle and is used to clean teeth. It is used in conjunction with toothpaste, often containing fluoride, to aid in cleaning the teeth.
Choosing a Toothbrush
Size- An appropriate toothbrush head is one that enables easy access to all tooth surfaces. As a general rule of thumb, most adults need a toothbrush head that is a half-inch wide and one-inch tall. Larger toothbrush heads might be difficult to maneuver in hard-to-reach areas, such as the sides and backs of the molars. The toothbrush should have a long enough handle so it can be comfortably held.
Bristle variety- Toothbrushes come with soft, medium or hard nylon bristles and rounded or blunt tips. For most people, a soft-bristled toothbrush is the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on the strength of the teeth and how vigorously you brush them, medium and hard-bristled brushes could damage the protective tooth enamel. For added tooth protection when brushing, select toothbrushes where the bristles have rounded tips.
Expert recommendation- To ensure your toothbrush has undergone rigorous quality control tests for cleaning effectiveness and safety, ask your dentist for a recommendation or look for manual or powered toothbrushes that have earned the American Dental Association Seal of Approval.
For disposable toothbrushes, this seal ensures that: the bristles will have safe tips; the bristles will not fall out of the toothbrush under typical brushing conditions; the handle will withstand normal use; and the toothbrush will effectively reduce plaque build-up and gum disease in its early stages.
In addition to satisfying these conditions, powered or electric toothbrushes bearing the seal also must undergo safety testing in an independent laboratory and prove through a clinical trial that the toothbrush is safe for use on the tissues of the mouth and teeth as well as any dental hardware that may be in place.