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Traditional toothbrushes are classified by their size and the hardness of their bristles. We must choose one that adapts to the size of our mouth, and that has a small head that allows us to maximize cleaning.
What you should know about toothbrush shape, sizes, and hardness
Good oral hygiene is essential to maintaining our oral health. If we neglect our oral hygiene, we could have future problems and diseases like cavities, gingivitis, or periodontitis. This could mean losing some teeth or suffering uncomfortable consequences such as halitosis or bad breath. To maintain this oral hygiene, it is essential to choose a suitable toothbrush.
Many toothbrushes are depending on the hardness, shape, or size. We can also choose a manual or electric brush. The important thing is to find the right brush for our mouth that allows us to maintain proper oral hygiene.
A type of toothbrush for each person
If we have doubts about which is the most suitable brush for us, this post will take you through all you need to know. Our needs and condition will determine the best option for proper oral cleaning. If we have to choose the toothbrush ourselves, the most important thing is to find one that fits the size of our mouth. Neither too big nor too small.
To choose the best toothbrush, you need to adjust to the size of your mouth and our needs. You can also consider some other characteristics, such as the hardness of the bristles or the shape of the head. A correct toothbrush has to be useful to us to optimize cleaning to the maximum. When we find the right one, it is best to choose it again when we renew it to avoid frequently changing the toothbrush model.
Toothbrush bristle shape and pattern
Most toothbrush heads are rectangular. They have this shape to clean the surface of each tooth effectively. Also, we have Diamond toothbrush heads. They are slightly more narrow than conventional rectangular toothbrush heads. This kind of head can reach the teeth in the back. You can choose any of the two by defining the needs of your oral cavity.
Bristle patterns
As for the brush’s bristles, they can be wavy, straight, and even slightly curved. In this matter, it is best to follow your dentist’s recommendation and avoid irregular or sharp ones.
We have block patterned bristles. The bristles are the same in length and aligned neatly.
A toothbrush can also have wavy or v-shaped bristles. These bristles form a V-shape from a side view. This shape gives you better access to the areas around the surfaces of the teeth.
Multilevel patterned bristles make it possible to clean difficult areas in between teeth and on the tooth head. Those with multilevel bristles and rubber-like circles at the center help clean surface stains. Brushes with criss-cross pattern bristles make it easy to remove plaque effectively.
Toothbrush sizes
Your toothbrush head size will depend effectively on your farthest teeth. With this, the length of the head will depend on the age of the user.
● A toothbrush head length of 15 mm is appropriate for children between 0 and 2 years.
● A toothbrush head length of 19 mm is appropriate for children between 2 and 6 years.
● A toothbrush head length of 22 mm is appropriate for children between 6 and 12 years.
● A toothbrush head length of 25 mm is appropriate for children between 12 years and above.
When choosing a toothbrush, it is better to choose one with a small or medium head and avoid large ones. The reason is that with a brush with a small head, we will have the possibility of better accessing every corner of our mouth and teeth. With this type of brush, it will be possible to reach areas that we would not otherwise be able to, facilitating a good oral cleaning.
Another good option is to buy a toothbrush with a non-slip handle so that it does not slip into our hands. It is recommended that the brush’s handle is non-slip and has a flexible neck to avoid injuries. It must be a comfortable and safe brush. Flexible brushes are also recommended to improve access.
Toothbrush hardness
Most specialists agree that choosing a toothbrush of medium hardness is best. The bristles are neither excessively hard nor very soft. In this way, we will protect our teeth from the abrasive effect of hard brushes. In any case, a very important factor is to control the squeezing force. Many patients over-squeeze when cleaning their mouth. It should be known that even a soft brush applied with a lot of pressure can be very abrasive.
The bristles are classified according to their consistency in:
Hard: The bristles have greater erosion and are stronger and more rigid, making them more durable. This type of brush is recommended for people who enjoy great oral health and do not show sensitivity in their teeth or gums. Keep in mind that you should not press excessively when brushing because it can damage the soft tissues and gum recession and wear down tooth enamel and cause tooth sensitivity. Its diameter is greater than 0.35 millimeters. Hard bristle brushes can be too abrasive, causing damage to both the teeth and the gum.
Medium: The bristles have a balanced texture. They are the most recommended brushes by dentists to most of the population. They are soft and hard, depending on their flexibility. Its diameter is 0.30 millimeters.
Gentle: Ideal for sensitive gums and teeth. Also, for those who suffer from gingivitis (inflammation of the gums). It is also useful in its developed stage, called periodontitis (detachment of the gums from the tooth). Its diameter is 0.17 millimeters.
Extra soft or Post-surgical: These brushes are used when the gum is extremely sensitive for oral hygiene while healing is carried out after surgery or extraction. Its diameter is 0.06 millimeters.
Conclusion
Before buying a toothbrush, always consider the head size, shape, and hardness. Pick the one that will meet the unique needs of your teeth. With the right toothbrush, you can do a better job of caring for your teeth.