Replace it every 3 to 4 months! Toothbrush maintenance

Maintaining oral hygiene is as important as keeping your heart functioning properly and your body healthy. The most effective way to keep your teeth healthy is to brush your teeth regularly. Therefore, the choice of toothbrush is very important. A good toothbrush can remove plaque while avoiding damage to the gums and teeth. There are two main types of toothbrushes: electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes (or disposable toothbrushes). The advantages and disadvantages of the two are summarized below for your reference when purchasing. Let’s take a look!

General principles for choosing a toothbrush

 Whether it is a manual or electric toothbrush, both have their own characteristics. The following two points are the general selection principles:

 Size: The toothbrush should be able to easily clean the tooth surface without damaging the gums. A toothbrush with a small head can reach smaller teeth and hard-to-reach places on the back of the teeth. In addition, the toothbrush handle should be long enough to fit in the hand.

 Bristles: The benefit of using an electric toothbrush is that you can replace the bristles of your toothbrush. Bristles can be divided into soft bristles, moderately soft bristles, and hard bristles according to their materials. For most people, no matter how vigorously they brush their teeth, soft bristles are definitely the safest choice, while hard bristles may damage the enamel and gums that protect the teeth. If you want to protect your teeth even more when brushing, remember to choose a toothbrush with rounded bristles.

 Toothbrush Care 101

 Don’t share toothbrushes: Just like anything else, people’s saliva and other body fluids can spread diseases through sharing toothbrushes. Sharing toothbrushes can pose health concerns for people with compromised immune systems or those with existing infectious diseases.

 Care after using your toothbrush: After brushing your teeth, rinse your toothbrush with water to remove toothpaste and food residue on the brush head. Please remember to place your toothbrush upright and let it dry naturally. If possible, try to place it separately from other people's toothbrushes to avoid cross-contamination.

 Don’t put your toothbrush in a box: You might think that putting your toothbrush in a box will protect it from dust or dirt, but don’t cover it frequently or place it in an airtight container because it’s less likely to collect dust or dirt than in an open space. , a humid environment such as a closed container is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms.

 Replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months: the longer a toothbrush is used, the bristles will gradually wear out or wear out, thus reducing the cleaning effect. The rate at which a toothbrush wears out depends on each user's personal usage behavior. Please check the wear level of your toothbrush frequently and replace it regularly if necessary. In addition, children's toothbrushes need to be replaced more often than adults.

 Toothbrush Choice: Disposable or Electric?

As long as you clean your teeth regularly with the correct brushing method, you can reduce the formation of plaque, and whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, you can keep your gums healthy. Here are 3 key points for your reference when choosing a toothbrush:

 Cost: Even the cheapest electric toothbrushes on the market are several times the price of a manual toothbrush. In addition to the cost of purchasing an electric toothbrush for the first time, disposable brush heads also need to be replaced as often as a regular toothbrush. There's no denying that using an electric toothbrush can lead to cleaner teeth and less expensive dental visits.

 Toothbrush preference: In the final analysis, the best toothbrush is of course the one you use most often and with which you are most accustomed. Some people may not like the vibration of an electric toothbrush, while others may find it easier to clean the tooth surface, especially for people with mobility issues such as painful arthritis. In addition, even if you like your current toothbrush very much, it is still recommended that you control the brushing time to within 2 minutes. Some electric toothbrushes even have built-in timers that will remind you that the time is up when you are brushing vigorously.

 Toothbrush effectiveness: Many scientific studies have been discussing whether manual or electric toothbrushes are more effective at reducing gum disease and eliminating plaque. There is even a study that compiled nearly 30 reports to compare the differences and effectiveness of the two toothbrushes. , overall, there is not much difference between the two toothbrushes. However, there is evidence that certain types of vibrating electric toothbrushes (where the bristles rotate and move back and forth) are more effective than manual toothbrushes.

 Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.