Which toothbrush should I be using?

There are so many toothbrushes to choose from now that it's hard to know whether you're buying something genuinely useful or just paying for extra features.

So, what do we actually recommend?

For most people, we recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush. You don't need firm bristles to get your teeth clean. In fact, scrubbing hard with a firmer toothbrush can do more harm than good and, over time, can contribute to wear around the teeth and gums.

Then there's the question of electric versus manual.

You absolutely can clean your teeth well with a manual toothbrush. An electric toothbrush does have a few advantages. It does some of the work for you, and many also have a two-minute timer and a pressure sensor to let you know when you're pushing too hard. That's particularly useful because brushing harder doesn't mean brushing better.

Does that mean you need the most expensive electric toothbrush with six different settings and an app on your phone? No.

The basics are much more important. A soft brush head, a pressure sensor and a timer are useful features. Beyond that, you may be paying for things you don't really need.

Whichever toothbrush you use, technique still matters. You need to clean all the surfaces of your teeth and, importantly, along the gumline. If we notice that you're consistently missing a particular area, we can work out why and help you change how you're brushing rather than simply telling you to brush more.

Your toothbrush also doesn't last forever. We generally recommend changing a manual toothbrush or electric brush head around every three months (the change of the seasons is often a good reminder), but have a look at the bristles too. If they're starting to splay out well before then, it can be a sign that you're brushing with too much pressure.



So, if you stand in front of the toothbrush section and don't know where to start, keep it simple.

Choose soft bristles. Don't scrub hard. And if you're going electric, you don't need all the bells and whistles.

And if you're still not sure, bring your toothbrush along with you to your next appointment. We're very happy to have a look at what you're using and show you how to get the most out of it.