How do I choose the best toothbrush and toothpaste?

How do I know what toothbrush to buy?

Toothbrushes come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, so choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Here’s how to narrow it down.

• Look for soft or medium bristles. A soft or medium-bristled toothbrush is gentle on your teeth and gums, but still gets rid of plaque. Harder bristles can damage your teeth and irritate your gums. It’s also a good idea to choose bristles with rounded ends and varied lengths, because they can reach the gaps between your teeth more easily.
• Choose a small brush head. A toothbrush with a small head will be better at reaching and cleaning all the areas of your mouth.
• Find a comfortable handle. Choose a toothbrush with a handle that fits your hand well and has a good grip, so you feel in control while brushing.

Do dentists recommend an electric or manual toothbrush?

Both manual and electric toothbrushes can do a good job if you use them the right way. Manual brushes are affordable and don’t need charging, but it’s easy to brush too hard and damage your gums or teeth.

Electric brushes usually do a better job of removing plaque. They often have handy built-in timers too, to make sure you brush for a full two minutes, as recommended by experts. Some even come with a pressure sensor that alerts you if you’re brushing too hard.

Electric toothbrushes also have different types of heads, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. They’re especially helpful if you have trouble moving your hands, wear braces, or if your dentist has suggested you need extra help with your brushing.

How often should I change my toothbrush?

It’s best to replace your toothbrush or electric brush head every three months — or sooner if the bristles look worn. Once the bristles have become frayed, they won’t clean your teeth and gums as well. Some toothbrush heads have colour-changing bristles, that indicate when it’s time to swap them for a new one.

How do I choose the right toothbrush for my child?

When it comes to children’s toothbrushes, choose one with a small head, soft, rounded bristles, and a handle that’s easy to hold. It’s important to choose a toothbrush that’s age-appropriate too. Check the packaging for age recommendations to be sure.

It might also help to pick out a toothbrush that’s colourful or has your little one’s favourite characters on it, to make brushing more fun.

Once your child turns three, you can switch them to an electric toothbrush if you prefer. But whether you opt for a manual or electric toothbrush, be sure to supervise your child’s brushing until they’re at least seven.

How do I choose the right toothpaste?

Supermarket shelves are packed with tubes of toothpaste, all promising to brighten your smile, fight gum disease, reduce sensitivity or freshen your breath. But what matters most is choosing one that contains the right amount of fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen and protect the hard outer layer of your teeth (enamel). It’s usually added to good-quality toothpastes and to your local water supply. When buying toothpaste, check the label for one that contains at least 1,350 to 1,500ppm of fluoride.

What is the best toothpaste for a child?

The best toothpaste for your child is one that contains the right amount of fluoride for their age, which you can find on the packaging. If your little one is:

• under three, use a smear of child-friendly toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) that contains at least 1,000ppm of fluoride
• three or older, use a pea-sized amount of family toothpaste that contains 1,350 to 1,500ppm of fluoride

What is the best toothpaste for sensitive teeth?

If you have discomfort in your teeth that’s triggered by things like hot and cold food, using toothpaste specially made for sensitive teeth might help. These contain active ingredients which block pain signals travelling between the surface of your tooth and the nerves inside it.

You might need to use it for a few weeks for it to work.

Rubbing desensitising toothpaste onto the area that’s bothering you before bedtime might also give you some relief. But it’s a good idea to visit your dentist if you have sensitive teeth. They can find out what might be causing it, and recommend the best treatment and toothpaste for you.

Do whitening toothpastes actually work?

Whitening toothpastes can remove surface stains from your teeth left there from food and drink, but they can’t remove deeper stains from within your tooth.

Whitening kits are different to whitening toothpastes. While you can buy these kits online or in stores, they don’t contain enough of the active ingredient that actually whitens teeth. They can also damage your teeth and gums if you don’t use them properly. So if you’re looking to lighten the colour of your teeth by several shades, you’ll need to make an appointment to see a dentist about professional teeth whitening.

How can my dental team help?

A dental professional can teach you how to clean your teeth and gums properly, share healthy eating advice, and answer any questions you may have.

They can also give you personalised recommendations on the best toothbrush and toothpaste for your unique needs. For example, if you:

• smoke
• wear braces
• have sensitive teeth
• have gum disease
• have dentures or veneers