We at CR Dental Group have been included in D Magazine’s Best Dentists Dallas TX. You are welcome to visit our dental office and our website where our dentists in Dallas TX discuss many dental issues.
Many of our patients ask if toothbrushes are better if they are expensive. In short, the answer is yes and no. Expensive toothbrushes are not better simply because they are expensive. They are better because they have the best essential features. These brushes tend to be more expensive.
Are The Expensive Toothbrushes Worth It?
Are your teeth worth it? Is your oral health worth it? Of course, they are.
But brushing your teeth is not just a matter of keeping your teeth white and keeping your breath minty fresh. Oral health is a critical link to your overall health. Proper brushing and maintenance of your teeth and gums are an important gateway to a healthy body.
Bacteria are produced by infected teeth and gums which then enter the bloodstream. Once in your bloodstream, it can proceed to cause various systemic problems. Those problems include clogged arteries resulting from plaque build-up in your blood vessels. Bacteria in your bloodstream can enter your lungs and cause respiratory infections and pneumonia. Oral diseases have also been linked to arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, dementia, and pancreatic disease.
So yes, your health is well worth the best toothbrush as well as proper and frequent brushing. But are expensive toothbrushes necessarily the best toothbrushes?
What are the features of the best toothbrushes?
The most important feature of a toothbrush is the quality of its bristles. Many think a firm bristle is preferred over medium or soft bristles. Not true. The American Dental Association including dentists in Dallas, TX recommends brushing twice a day with a soft bristle. Vigorous brushing with a firm bristle can damage your tooth enamel and gums.
If we weren’t talking about equipment, a tie for first place feature would be technique. The quality of the brush, and its price, are nothing without a proper brushing technique. Proper technique is well-publicized and available as online demonstrations.
Also, proper brushing techniques and best brush bristles should be supplemented with regular flossing. Waterpiks are also highly effective equipment.
Electric vs Manual Toothbrushes
The next important distinguishing feature is between electric and manual toothbrushes which also is the biggest cost differential. Is the greater cost of an electric toothbrush worth it?
The reviews are mixed because both toothbrushes are effective in removing plaque. Some studies give electric toothbrushes a slight nod. Some recent studies show that electric toothbrushes are much more effective.
ADA Seal
An important distinguishing factor when purchasing a toothbrush is the ADA Seal of Acceptance. A toothbrush is accepted if the manufacturer furnishes scientific proof of the product’s safety and effectiveness in plaque removal and reduction of gingivitis.
In the end, the decisive factors in selecting a toothbrush should be first ADA Seal of Acceptance, second electric toothbrush. Generally, toothbrushes meeting those two factors will be more expensive than those that don’t. The greater expense is indeed worth it.
To learn more about choosing a toothbrush consult our staff at the dental office of CR Dental Group, or visit our website. We are among the Best Dentists in Dallas TX and a dentist will be delighted to answer any questions you might have.
