Who knew that choosing a toothbrush required doing your research first? We did, and now you do, too.
The next time you’re in the market for a toothbrush, be sure to read the package to understand exactly what you’re getting. Toothbrushes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and with different bristle firmness: you can choose soft bristles, medium bristles, or hard bristles. Each toothbrush advertises having its own advantages and disadvantages, but is there one best brush across the board? At Sierra Dental, Dr. Marty Williams strongly suggests soft-bristled toothbrush’s to all of his patients.
Our Green Bay dental practice prides itself in building lasting relationships with our patients; that means we’re always here to inform and answer questions. Keep reading to find out the difference between the different types of toothbrush bristles and why soft-bristled brushes are the best option for your teeth.
What the different Brushes Advertise vs the Truth
Given the manner in which different toothbrushes are advertised, you might wonder why soft brushes are the best option.
Each brush claims to have a different advantage to offer you should you choose them. Soft brushes might be gentler on the gums and on particularly fragile teeth, but hard brushes are supposed to be better at cleaning teeth. The firm bristles are said to be best for scrubbing away plaque and staining substances. And, if you want the best of both—better scrubbing than soft bristles, but gentler than the hard bristles—you could always choose a medium brush. These three types of brushes sound like perfect solutions for different problems, so why wouldn’t Dr. Williams recommend medium or hard bristled brushes?
Simply put, harder bristles have negative effects that outweigh any positives.
The Truth about Bristle Strength
You do not need harder bristles to get cleaner teeth. The ADA-approved toothpaste you should be using already includes mild abrasives, such as calcium carbonate, that already do the job hard-bristled brushes are said to do: scrub away plaque and surface stains more effectively. If your toothpaste and soft brush are not doing the job well enough, then it may be time to switch toothpastes rather than brushes. Harder bristles don’t grind these abrasive agents more effectively than a soft brush would, so their alleged benefit is a moot point.
Instead, medium and hard toothbrushes increase the risk for oral damage. When people use firmer-bristled brushes, not only are they using something that grinds harder against the teeth, but they are also in the mindset that harder brushing is better; that is, they believe that applying more force with a brush is a good thing. The combination of rougher bristles with more force carries with it a strong risk of damaging the gums, which support grown teeth. The resulting separation and recession of the gums from the teeth greatly increases the odds of tooth decay, tooth loss, and tooth sensitivity. This combination can also chip up the sides of the teeth, further increasing the likelihood of tooth decay.
With these penalties and without any supposed benefits, the only toothbrush worth using is the one that will not damage your gums and teeth: a soft-bristled toothbrush used in a very gentle manner.
Make an Appointment Today!
If you have more questions about your oral hygiene and are in the Green Bay area, feel free to give us a call at Sierra Dental today! We can walk you through the different types of oral hygiene options, and help you make the best choice for you and your family.
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