What kind of toothbrush should I use with braces?

Conventional wisdom says the best toothbrush is the one that gets used. But, is there one that is better than another for use with braces? An interesting study was recently published in the European Journal of Orthodontics that addressed this issue. Nine different toothbrushes were tested in their efficiency to remove debris around an orthodontic bracket. All of these toothbrushes were “manual”, which means they are not electric. The design of the toothbrush did seem to make a difference! Toothbrushes that were v-shaped or staged cleaned better than the brushes that had bristles that were all the same length. So, when shopping for a manual toothbrush to use with braces, make sure you choose one that has various lengths of bristles. And make sure to clean well between the bracket and your gums! All toothbrushes did poorly in this area, so we need to pay attention to keep optimal dental health during orthodontic treatment. For more information on how to take care of your braces, contact your Phoenix, Litchfield Park and Goodyear orthodontists at Dunn Orthodontics.