Top tips to choose the perfect toothbrush for older people
This might seem like an odd question to ask – surely all toothbrushes are essentially the same? No, they are absolutely not! Here are our tops tips on how to choose the right toothbrush.
A toothbrush always performs the same basic function – it cleans your teeth and gums, whilst removing plaque. However, all of our mouths are different shapes, our gums are all different and so are our teeth themselves. So why would we think that all toothbrushes are alike! The reality is that the toothbrush you use to brush your teeth is just as important as the toothpaste and other products you use it with. With that in mind, we thought we’d look at some top tips for choosing a better toothbrush.
Electric or Non-Electric?
Electric toothbrushes have a number of significant advantages over traditional brushes.
- Electric toothbrushes improve the oral health of 80% of users, because they rotate, so they remove plaque more effectively. They are more effective at reaching your molars and wisdom teeth, which means you are more likely to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Electric toothbrushes mean you can’t brush your teeth too hard. Brushing your teeth too hard causes gum recession and the wearing away of tooth enamel. Electric toothbrushes prevent this, because they have a built-in sensor which stops the brush if it detects you are using too much pressure.
So, electric toothbrushes are much better for you and easy to use. All electric toothbrushes are battery-operated and come with a charger you can plug into the shaver socket in the bathroom.
Head size is incredibly important
One of the most important choices you need to make with your toothbrush is the head size you use. If you use a size which is too big for your teeth, you will find it much harder to clean your gums effectively. If you use a size that is too small, you will miss areas of your teeth and gums when you are cleaning.
Here is a useful video for choosing electric toothbrush heads
The simple rule is to use smaller head sizes for smaller mouths and larger heads for larger mouths. It is a good idea to experiment with different sizes until you find the one that is perfect for your mouth.
Bristle strength is important too
As well as head size, you also want to make sure that you choose the right bristle strength. Bristles come in soft, medium or hard nylon. Always use a soft bristle because these are effective at removing plaque and tarter without causing damage to your teeth. Additionally bristles should be at varying angles to ensure that you reach the largest surface area of your teeth and gums.
Toothbrushes for older people
The same guidelines apply for choosing toothbrushes for the older people. This is particularly true if you are having trouble managing a manual toothbrush. Using an electronic toothbrush takes away the need to move your toothbrush from side to side. If you have problems with movement in your hands, using an electronic toothbrush means you can still guarantee cleaning and maintaining healthy teeth.
Finally….
You need to brush for a minimum of 2 minutes twice a day. Electric toothbrushes have a built in timer, which causes the brush to vibrate after 2 minutes so you know when you can stop.
If your toothbrush isn’t cleaning your teeth properly, it is time to change it. Finding the right toothbrush and toothbrush head can take many attempts, but once you have the right fit you can improve your oral health dramatically. Getting a little older doesn’t mean that dental hygiene becomes less important. Happy brushing.
