Ask the Dentist: What toothbrush do dentists recommend?

Which toothbrush do dentists recommend?

At Capstone Dental, we firmly believe in patient education and that’s why we want to share our knowledge and information with everyone. The better educated we are about our mouth, gums and teeth, the better we know how to look after them and the healthier they remain. And the healthier our gums and teeth are, the less it costs for our dental visits and also the more comfortable the visits to the dentist will be. But the all important question when it comes to toothbrushing is “which toothbrush do dentists recommend?”

If you want to know how to brush your teeth better, please read a previous article on Best Techniques on how to brush your teeth

If you want to know how to floss your teeth better, please read our Tips on how to floss your teeth

So what type of toothbrush do dentists recommend?

There are 2 main criteria for a good toothbrush, according to dentists

Criteria

Why?

Soft Bristles

We want to be brushing our teeth and gums GENTLY. Often we can brush too hard without realising it and soft bristles ensure that the gums or the teeth won’t be damaged. Often if we brush too hard, this can cause receding gums/bones and cause sensitivity due to dentine exposure.
DO NOT use medium and hard bristle toothbrushes: They are available in the supermarkets because there are people who like firmer brushes but medium and hard bristles are too hard and can damage the gums or wear away at the tooth structure. If the gums/bones recede or if the tooth structure is worn away, you can experience sensitive teeth from hot, cold, sweet, sour foods and drinks or from cold air/brushing on the teeth.

Compact Toothbrush Head

Small and compact head. The smaller the toothbrush head, the easier it is to manoeuver the toothbrush and clean the back teeth. Compact toothbrush heads also allow you to brush into the crevices between the teeth a lot better

Is there a difference between electric toothbrushes and manual toothbrushes?

Are electric toothbrushes better than manual toothbrushes? Let’s keep it short and concise: There is no clear winner. The research shows that there is no significant difference between using an electric toothbrush compared to using a manual toothbrush. So first and foremost, the technique of how you brush and floss is more important than the type of toothbrush and floss you use.

But having said that, there are situations when an electric toothbrush can be more useful:

Brushing Too Hard: A lot of people think that brushing their teeth harder will give them a better clean, but often they may be brushing too hard and damaging their gums and tooth structure causing recession, cavities and sensitivity. In these circumstances, we recommend using electric toothbrushes that have a pressure sensor or using an electric toothbrush and learning to let vibrations and spinning on the toothbrush do the work for you
Limited Dexterity: For some patients who have arthritis or limited mobility, electric toothbrushes can be great in providing better cleans because the electric toothbrush can do the work for you
Motivation: As dentists, we understand that sometimes both children and adults have no motivation in brushing their teeth at all. And so switching to an electric toothbrush can create a bit of fun and excitement to cleaning your teeth

The graphic below provides a summary of the positives of electric toothbrushes versus manual toothbrushes

Electric toothbrush Versus Manual toothbrush

Which toothbrush do dentists recommend for children?

When it comes to choosing the appropriate toothbrush for your child, it’s important to find a toothbrush that they will actually use. Many young toddlers will start off chewing on their toothbrush rather than brushing their teeth with it. So it’s important to show them what you do and brush your teeth in front of them so they can follow what you do. Unless there are serious compliance issues with brushing or medical issues with their fine motor skills and movement, we generally don’t recommend using electric toothbrushes for children because we want to help them practise good tooth brushing techniques without relying on using an electric toothbrush.

General Guidelines for Good Children’s Toothbrushes

small toothbrush head (smaller than adult ones, usually between 1-1.5cm in length
soft or super soft toothbrush bristles
fewer toothbrush bristle than adult toothbrushes
let your child pick their favourite colour for their toothbrush! Maybe even with their favourite cartoon character :)

What toothbrush should I use if I have braces?

Systema Orthodontic Toothbrush V shaped brush head

When you have braces, food gets stuck under the bracket and wires quite easily and the bristles of your toothbrush can get caught or feel uncomfortable. You should look for a “V shaped” orthodontic toothbrush where the middle section off the toothbrush is indented inwards to allow space for the brush tips to work beneath and around your braces. The Systema product range includes V Shaped Orthodontic toothbrushes which allow you to clean over your braces What’s also really important is brushing and flossing well underneath the wires. This will be what we recommend to our patients who have braces and wanting a good toothbrush

So…..Which toothbrush does Dr Ken use?

Since 2015, I have been using Systema toothbrushes - a product range made by Japanese company LION. I daresay these are the best toothbrushes I’ve used and have been recommending them to my family, housemates, friends and patients. These toothbrushes not only meet the criteria of soft bristles and a compact toothbrush head, but they also had an extra feature of having really thin toothbrush bristles which sets them apart from any other toothbrush I’ve used. It’s a toothbrush that delivers gentle brushing and care for the gums.

The Systema Toothbrush range was created with a focus on gum care being the foundation of good oral health. Poor gum care can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. Some early symptoms of gum disease are bad breath, gums bleeding even with gentle tooth brushing, red and swollen gums. Using advanced dental technology from LION – Japan’s No. 1 Oral Care Company* for superior gum protection, Systema Complete Gum Care System helps you build a strong foundation. That means healthier gums, healthier teeth and a healthier you.

What’s so different about Systema toothbrushes? It’s all in the bristles

What sets the Systema toothbrushes apart from other toothbrushes I’ve used are the following:

the soft super-tapered bristles that are 0.02mm at the tip— they are one tenth the diameter of regular toothbrush bristles.
high grade

The tapered bristle tip is designed to:

penetrate deeper along the gum lines
reach into deep spaces between teeth and gums, removing plaque effectively without hurting the gums
protect the gums, which is ideal for gum care

This feature makes it possible for the toothbrush bristles to go deep within the narrow crevices of gum line, and between the teeth and gums to effectively remove the plaque and grime that causes periodontal disease (gum disease), delivering a high level of oral cleanliness. The bristles are made from high-grade PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), more durable than ordinary nylon bristles. In addition to its unique 0.02mm patented super-tapered tips of the bristles that are soft and gentle for gum care, Systema’s range of toothbrushes also feature a smaller compact brush head size.

Since opening Capstone Dental, I also wanted to provide our patients with oral hygiene products that I would recommend or actually use myself. It wouldn’t make sense for me to recommend one thing and use another?

As a dentist, I have no affiliations to Systema but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using their toothbrushes over the past 3 years. Until I found something else better, I will keep using it myself and recommend it to all of our patients in Seven Hills, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Bella Vista, Castle Hill, Toongabbie, Lalor Park, Prospect, Kings Langley, Winston Hills, Girraween.

YES! We sell toothbrushes!

We don’t want to just tell you about the Systema toothbrushes without actually telling you where to buy them. You can’t actually buy Systema toothbrushes from the Coles, Woolworths and or the pharmacy. But we’re proud to announce that we officially stock and sell Systema toothbrushes at our clinic.

Systema Gum Care Soft Compact Toothbrush: $3 each / 4 for $10

Kodomo Children’s Soft and Slim Toothbrush: $3 each / 4 for $10

Systema Orthodontic V Shaped Soft Toothbrush: $4 each / 3 for $10

Super Soft Ortho Toothbrush $4 each / $10 for 3

Systema Super Compact Soft Toothbrush: $4 each / 3 for $10

Systema Sonic Vibration Toothbrush - Super Compact Head (battery included): $34 each

Systema Sonic Vibration Toothbrush - Super Compact Head - Pack of 2 Refills: $12 each

Systema Electric Sonic Vibration Toothbrush Refill - Pack of 2

Below is a video about the Systema Electric Sonic Vibration Toothbrush:

If you found this article helpful, please share it with your family and friends. We firmly believe in educating our patients to help them understand how to achieve good oral health. Are you looking for modern and gentle dentist who will look after you and your family?

Welcome to Capstone Dental!
Capstone Dental Seven Hills is within minutes from Toongabbie, Prospect, Blacktown, Lalor Park, Baulkham Hills, Girraween, Kings Langley, Bella Vista.

Capstone Dental Auburn is within minutes from Strathfield, Lidcombe, Olympic Park, Newington, Silverwater, Clyde, Rose Hill, Granville, Guildford, Villawood, Chester Hill, Regents Park, , Chullora.

We are the local Western Sydney dentist you can trust!

Dr Kenneth Chan (Dentist)October 4, 2019