Most of us hover over the shelves, picking up one brush then another. After some minutes we make a purchase, seemingly at random. When new patients are asked how they select a toothbrush, they usually say, ‘Oh, I choose any brush really, one that looks nice in its wrapper.’ A toothbrush is an important factor in preventing dental disease, especially gum problems. Therefore the purchaser should be quite specific when going into the shop. The dentist will tell you which brush is suitable for you. Write it down and ask for it. Do not be fooled off with something else ‘almost the same’ or try somewhere else!

Expensive brushes are usually not satisfactory. These are probably hand-made (as if that made them better) and have natural bristles (hog bristles) or sometimes-softer badger hair. None of these is satisfactory. Natural bristle was believed by many (dentists, too) to be better, but this is erroneous. Natural bristles have variable textures and the filaments are hollow and absorbent and rapidly become soggy and infected. Nylon can be made exactly to specification and, because of mass production methods; good brushes can be made much cheaper. As has been shown already, both dental caries and periodontal disease are the result of bacterial action, in the plaque, which collects on the teeth and gums.

Choosing a Toothbrush

Brush heads should be small enough to reach all parts of the mouth and should have a flat brushing surface with a straight handle. The medium or medium soft nylon bristles (never hard) should be set close together - what is called multi-tufted. Brushes of any kind should not be expected to last very long and one should probably buy about four brushes per year. It is a sad fact that brush sales average about one brush per person per year with maximum sales during the summer holidays just before people go on vacation. Children need their brushes renewed more often as they tend to mishandle them. If an adult finds that brushes wear and splay out very quickly it is probably a sign that brushing is not being done correctly-probably force rather than care is being used. But some people are proud of wearing out their brushes: they feel they are doing a good scrubbing job!

Automatic (electric) Toothbrushes

Many of the automatic toothbrushes produces a few years ago have now disappeared and there is no longer a great choice. The improved automatic brushes, which are still available, can be effective:
1. For handicapped people, especially arthritics.
2. For those who cannot master the technique of conventional brushing.
3. For those in a hurry and perhaps for those who are lazy.
4. For children who will often use the automatic brush more readily because of its novelty.

Nearly all-automatic brushes have battery-driven motors and it is important to make sure that the battery is not in a run-down state, otherwise there will be too little torque (driving action) on the brush. Most of these brushes have rechargeable cells and they should be kept always at peak charge. People who can brush effectively with the usual brush will not need an automatic brush. It is still necessary to be taught how to use the latter; it will not go anywhere in the mouth unless it is directed. But the automatic brush does have the advantage of speed.