Oral hygiene care is highly dependent on a tooth brush. Regular brushing is the first and foremost rule of oral care, and the perfect toothbrush is the tool necessary to do that.
We eat with our mouth, of course, and our teeth do the job of breaking food down in micro pieces to help us swallow. During all this hard work, those micro pieces get stuck between teeth. A quick choice of gurgling with mouth wash can never replace brushing your teeth with a soft yet firm tooth brush.
For Adults
There is no argument over the use of a toothbrush. There are thousands of brands to choose from with variety of colors and designs. These days, parents train children from a very young age to brush efficiently. Even then, the choice has not been easy with unlimited choices available in the market. However, now and then, any person can benefit from some tips on how to choose and care for the perfect toothbrush:
- The American Dental Association has no preference between a manual and an electric one. So, this is mostly a user’s choice depending on convenience of use.
- During cleaning, it is important to get a good grip. If the person has shaky hands, it might come in handy.
- The head of the toothbrush should be small in size. A small sized head can reach the ends of the mouth easily and can help clean any plaque gathered there.
- The size of the toothbrush should vary depending on the user. A child using a big toothbrush is not appropriate, and an adult would not benefit as much from a smaller toothbrush. The size of the user’s mouth will determine the size of the toothbrush.
- Soft bristles are considered safe to use in the mouth, but medium ones can apply more pressure inside the mouth. It is a good idea for a child to use the soft or extra soft one and a medium one for an adult.
- It is a good practice to replace a toothbrush after every three to four months.
- After any dental emergencies, an injury, or disease, the old toothbrush should be replaced with a new one.
- Toothbrushes should be for one person only and never for sharing purposes.
- After brushing, thoroughly rinse your toothbrush with water to remove remaining toothpaste and debris.
For Infants & Children
Infants and children up to about 8 years will require parents to clean their teeth. So, it is the responsibility of parents to buy the perfect toothbrush for the child in question keeping the age in mind.
Starting to clean your baby’s teeth from the first emergence of teeth is a good idea to teach and train the proper rules of oral hygiene. For infants, a toothbrush with a long handle, small head, and soft bristles is the best choice. The head size should not be more than 15mm and preferably be made by a baby product manufacturer brand.
Children above 2-years-old may require a larger headed toothbrush but not exceeding 19mm.
Children above 6 years can brush with a head size of 22 mm, and those above 12 years can use a regular 25mm.
