How to Purchase a Toothbrush

A power toothbrush can make you feel as if it's whirring you straight toward smile nirvana. If you want to splurge on one of these plug-in or switch-on toothbrushes, check out the benefits you'll enjoy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Ask your dentist to recommend a toothbrush. Depending on the state of your teeth and gums, she may give you a soft-bristled regular toothbrush or steer you toward an electric one. Always get soft-bristled brushes or heads to avoid pushing gums up.
2. Get a buzz with vibrational toothbrushes. They work better because people brush longer and more debris is loosened by the vibrations. Many dentists recommend the Philips Sonicare Elite with its curved head, great for getting around the back of the teeth and for powerful, gentle cleaning at the gumline.
3. Buy an electric toothbrush with a rotational oscillation design; although it costs more, it gives you tangibly better results. An example of this is the Braun Oral-B 3D Excel, which has bristles that spin in two directions.
4. Experiment with tufted, angled or rounded-end bristles and easygrip, curved or flexible-grip handles to see which type of toothbrush best helps you reach the nooks and crannies.

What to Look For:

• Rotating or vibrational bristles
• Head size
• Bristle softness

Tips & Warnings

• If you have proper brushing technique and do it for two to five minutes at least twice daily, you'll do just as well with a regular manual toothbrush as you would with a power toothbrush.
• If your teeth have gaps or you wear braces or any kind of bridge, use Butler Gum's Proxabrush and/or floss threaders to get under wires.