Types of Toothbrushes - Choose the Best Brush for You (2024)

Types of Toothbrushes - Choose the Best Brush for You (1)

  • Choosing the Right Toothbrush
  • Get a Better Clean with an Electric Toothbrush
  • Choosing the Right Toothbrush Head

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Using the right toothbrush can make your daily oral care routine more enjoyable—and more effective.
A toothbrush is personal, which is why they’re available in a variety of sizes and shapes. If you have a large mouth, you may prefer a full-sized toothbrush head. If you have a small mouth, opt for a compact head. And some adults even prefer youth or child-sized toothbrushes because they find them easier to use for brushing behind the back teeth.

If comfort is important, try a toothbrush with a non-slip grip, which makes it easy to use even if wet. Additionally, the handles on many Oral-B toothbrushes have been modeled based on research into the five different ways that people hold their toothbrush while brushing.

A manual toothbrush works well if you are a diligent brusher, but more and more people are opting for electric toothbrushes.

As with a manual toothbrush, the best electric toothbrush for you is the one you like and will use every day. Electric toothbrushes come in different sizes, too. In general, the replaceable heads of electric toothbrushes are smaller than the full-sized head of a manual toothbrush, so if you are used to a full-sized head, the electric toothbrush may take some getting used to.

Get a Better Clean with an Electric Toothbrush

Keep in mind that one of the benefits of the smaller head size on an electric toothbrush is that it is better able to clean each tooth individually and get to the hard-to-reach places of your mouth. Many different styles of brush heads are available, from polishing brush heads to brush heads for sensitive teeth. There are a number of varying bristle movements powered toothbrushes utilize. Oscillating/rotating technology is independently validated as better than manual brushing in reducing plaque and gingivitis.The Oral-B iO Series features the latest technology when it comes to brushing teeth and protecting your gums. The award-winning brush combines powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations with Oral-B’s unique dentist-inspired round brush head for a professional clean feeling.

The bottom line is that if you choose the toothbrush that is the right size and style for your mouth and your oral care needs, you’ll be able to clean your teeth more completely and help prevent bacterial buildup and the development of plaque.Check out Oral-B’s latest deals on top electric toothbrushes to find the one that’s right for you at a limited-time price.

Remember that regular replacement of toothbrushes contributes to maintaining a consistently high level of oral hygiene because clinical research shows a new toothbrush can remove up to 30% more plaque than one that's three months old.*

*Research with a flat trim manual toothbrush.

Choosing the Right Toothbrush Head

One way to be sure that you have the best toothbrush for your needs is to learn about different types of brush heads. The brush head is the top part of the toothbrush where the bristles are attached. You want to choose the type of toothbrush head that fits your mouth and lets you reach all of your teeth.

Some specialized types of brush heads include:

  • Angled: An angled toothbrush head helps reach the insides of your teeth, especially the insides of your lower and upper front teeth. These areas can be susceptible to tartar buildup because, for some people, they’re harder to reach with a standard toothbrush head.

  • Compact vs. Full Size: A compact toothbrush head is smaller than a full-size and has fewer bristles. Some people, especially those with small mouths, find compact heads easier to use. But other people simply prefer a full-size brush head, so you may want to try both and choose the one that works best for you.

  • Extra-soft Bristles: For a gentle yet effective clean, you may want to opt for a brush head with softer bristles like the Oral-B iO Gentle Care**. Its optimized bristle patterns adapt to the curves of your teeth and gums for maximum comfort.

  • Personalized Look and Feel: Toothbrushes can be a great way to further express your unique preferences—specifically in color. The Oral-B iO9 comes in a unique elegant Rose Quartz shade so you can always have a sophisticated, yet effective clean.

  • Whitening Brush Heads: Several Oral-B brush heads are designed to help you whiten your teeth by removing surface stains without damaging your enamel. Find the best whitening toothbrush head for you. The Oral-B 3D White Replacement Brush Head† features a unique polishing cup to gently whiten with end-rounded bristles for a safe, but effective whitening experience.

You’ll also be able to choose brushes that have ergonomichandles or no-slip grips to make them easier to hold, along with a variety ofbristle configurations to help clean around and between teeth, depending onyour trouble spots. Always use a softbristled toothbrush and if you have recession, you may want to consider anextra-soft bristled toothbrush. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush equipped with aSensitive Mode like the Oral-B iO9 which also comes with a Smart Pressure Sensor to better protect yourgums from overbrushing. The Oral-B iO Gentle Care Brush Head is also a great go-to when it comes ensuring agentler clean for teeth and gums.

From Oral-B, the #1dentist-recommended toothbrush brand.

**Compatible with Oral-B iO handles only
†Compatible with all Oral-B handles except iO

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FAQs

Types of Toothbrushes - Choose the Best Brush for You? ›

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

What are the best types of toothbrushes to use? ›

For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.

What type of brush is a toothbrush? ›

Modern toothbrush bristles are synthetic, usually nylon. Some of them are enhanced with additional features, such as charcoal bristles (bristles infused with charcoal). Toothbrush bristles also vary in their texture and firmness.

Why are there different types of toothbrushes? ›

Dentists tend to recommend soft bristles, as they are not as harsh on your enamel as the harder type. Soft toothbrushes are also easier on gums and help avoid gum recession. Toothbrush bristles also come in different shapes and lengths, including flat, domed or rippled.

How do you choose the right toothbrush for your needs? ›

Here's what you should look for: Most UK dental professionals agree that a medium-bristled brush is best for removing plaque and debris from your teeth. Small-headed brushes are also preferable, since they are better at reaching all areas of the mouth, including hard-to-reach back teeth.

How do you choose your toothbrush? ›

How to Choose the Best Toothbrush
  1. Step One – Decide on Manual or Electric/Battery-Powered Toothbrush: ...
  2. Step Two – Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance: ...
  3. Step Three – Select the Best Type of Bristles: ...
  4. Step Four – Choose the Size of Toothbrush Head: ...
  5. Step Five – Pick Out a Brush Handle That's Best for You:
Jan 9, 2023

Which toothbrushes do dentists recommend? ›

For manual toothbrushes, dental professionals usually recommend a softer bristle brush. The comfort and safety they provide make them an excellent choice. Vigorous brushing with hard bristles can actually harm your gums, root surface, and tooth enamel – a situation we definitely want to avoid!

What type of brush is best for teeth? ›

Most dentists will recommend a soft bristle toothbrush as it is the most comfortable and safest option. Depending on how vigorously you brush, softer bristles are easier on the gums, whereas hard bristle brushes can actually damage the gums, root surface and tooth enamel.

What toothbrush is best for cleaning? ›

Soft bristles are gentler on the teeth and gums. "I always recommend that everyone uses soft bristle toothbrushes," says Dr. Horowitz. Not only do soft bristles clean just as well as more rigid bristles, but they also help prevent complications to the teeth and gums.

Are there different types of brushes? ›

The appropriate brush for someone with long, curly hair will be drastically different than the best brush for fine or thinning hair. Some brushes, like the round or vented kind, are best for styling, while others work to detangle, and some may even remedy static and frizz.

Does the type of toothbrush really matter? ›

It might seem like an inconsequential decision, but choosing the right kind of toothbrush is actually more important than most people think. With the wrong type of brush, you can cause your gums to recede, leave plaque buildup on your teeth, or erode away the enamel and cause stains.

How many different toothbrushes are there? ›

The three most common types of toothbrushes can be categorized into manual, electric, and sonic. Toothbrushes can then also be categorized based on their softness or hardness of bristles. Finding the right toothbrush for you is important, but knowing when to replace your toothbrush is just as important.

Do all toothbrushes work the same? ›

Although most dentists claim there is no difference in brushing quality between traditional and electric toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes are certainly easier to use correctly. The rotating action combined with the scrubbing action helps to clean your teeth more efficiently and to do less work when cleaning.

Does age of toothbrush matter? ›

When to Switch to Adult Toothbrushes. Most children can transition to adult toothbrushes around age 10. This is when they have most of their adult teeth, and they have plenty of practice brushing their teeth on their own.

What toothbrush should a 13 year old use? ›

10 Years and Older: Adult Toothbrush or Electric Toothbrush

Every child is different, but around the age of 10 years old, your child's mouth should be large enough for an adult toothbrush to fit comfortably.

How to choose a teeth brush? ›

A good starting point is to ask your dentist and hygienist for a recommendation. In addition, here are some general tips on what to look for: Small brush head and well-designed bristles: Choose a toothbrush with a small brush head and a bristle design that helps you to get to the hard-to-reach places of your mouth.

Does it really matter what kind of toothbrush you use? ›

Hard bristles can put too much pressure on your gums and hurt them. Soft bristles, while gentle enough for your gums, may not provide the most thorough cleaning. A medium-bristles toothbrush seems like the best compromise between the two.

Do dentists prefer manual or electric toothbrushes? ›

Dentists agree that overall, electric toothbrushes are superior to manual ones. "Because electric brushes have a rotation, they essentially force the toothpaste in more difficult-to-reach areas, which is where cavities start," says Dr.

Which is better ultrasonic or electric toothbrush? ›

While both the sonic and electric toothbrushes work well in comparison to the manual toothbrush, the sonic toothbrush is undeniably more efficient in cleaning your teeth. Electric toothbrushes typically have bristles that either scrub forward and backward or rotate in a mechanized motion.

Is mechanical or electric toothbrush better? ›

A 2021 meta-analysis of 28 studies provided further evidence that powered toothbrushes seem to have a slight edge over manual ones when it comes to plaque removal.

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