Toothbrushes

A toothbrush used effectively will disrupt 60 – 70% of the sticky plaque biofilm on your teeth and gums. It is really important to control plaque biofilm to prevent disease e.g. tooth decay and gum disease. Use your toothbrush DRY, with a pea sized blob of toothpaste, AFTER flossing/cleaning between teeth. Brush last thing at night and one other time every day – each surface of every tooth – outside, inside and biting surfaces. That way your toothpaste ingredients reach all tooth surfaces. Spit out after brushing – but don’t rinse your mouth. Take time to use your toothbrush effectively to improve your oral health without causing damage to teeth or gums.

A minimum of two minutes should ensure thorough tooth brushing – but you may have to spend longer, depending on your individual needs. After brushing rinse your toothbrush under running water and store out of contact with other toothbrushes. Nipping the bristles together can help keep bristles in shape. When bristles are splayed they won’t be doing the job properly and should be replaced – usually around every 3 months.

Manual or powered/electric toothbrush? It’s more about HOW you use rather than WHAT you use. Brushing with a powered brush requires a different technique.  Opt for a rechargeable brush if considering power.