How often have you thought of your toothbrush? Toothbrushes, may it be a regular or electric toothbrush, actually play an important role in keeping your teeth and mouth healthy. So it's important to buy a proper toothbrush. Most especially if you are wearing braces, you should consider a suitable toothbrush for braces.
You've probably seen all types of toothbrush brands for adults or toothbrushes for kids. These toothbrushes have presented us with different patterns, different types of bristles, and other features that seem too complicated for a simple toothbrush. Those features differentiate a good toothbrush from a bad one. With our buying guide reviewed by dentist Dr. Carlo Umlas and our top 10 list, we'll show you what kind of toothbrush can help your oral hygiene.
Dr. Carlo Umlas is a board-certified dentist and practices orthodontics and endodontics in the Philippines. He is also currently undergoing training in implantology. He enjoys educating patients on oral health and the impact of oral hygiene on overall health through his dental clinic, Avant Dental Solutions. You can book an appointment with him and know more about his practice through his Facebook page!
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Experts featured in this article only reviewed the content of our buying guide. They had no part in the selection or ranking of products or services listed.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Here are some key points to consider:
When used correctly, both electric and manual toothbrushes can effectively clean your teeth. Both are also good at removing mouth plaque that promotes decay and disease. But what type of toothbrush should you consider buying?
Arguably, the most common and most preferred type of toothbrushes is a manual toothbrush. Manual toothbrushes are very straightforward and affordable, too! These usually have a plastic body, and depending on the brand, they have varied nylon bristle designs on the brush head.
Compared to electric toothbrushes, they don't require batteries or charging to operate, and they aren't bulky. As mentioned, manual toothbrushes are affordable and are widely accessible, so you can easily change your toothbrushーkeep in mind that toothbrushes must be changed every 3 to 4 months!
For kids, elderlies, persons with disabilities, and people with dexterity issues or other diseases that make brushing difficult, an electric toothbrush is an excellent alternative fo a regular toothbrush.
Compared to a manual toothbrush, the rotation oscillation or the movement of the bristles scrubs the teeth better, thereby eliminating plaque or food without damaging the teeth and gums! Other features, such as timer, power level, LED light, and rechargeable batteries, are also available as options.
The IPX rating of your electronic toothbrush must also be looked at. The IPX rating indicates the product's resistance to environmental conditions. For electric toothbrushes, an IPX7 rating is recommended since this rating means that the product is protected in water up to one meter.
The bristles of toothbrushes are available in different hardness levels determined by the thickness of the bristles: extra soft, soft, medium, and hard. However, dentists recommend only using soft bristles, no matter the condition of your teeth. Take note that hard bristles do not contribute to cleanliness in any scenario, and worse, they could damage your gums.
Soft bristles gently brush off dirt and plaque and won't puncture your gums. As long as you gently brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, soft bristles should be able to clean your teeth. If you have sensitive teeth or gums, opt for extra soft toothbrushes to be extra careful.
When choosing a toothbrush, it is necessary to consider one's age. One should be aware that there are certain sizes that fit each brush user. A soft and thin-bristled toothbrush with an approximate thickness of 0.15 mm is the ideal bristle thickness for teeth, as it can effectively remove plaque and dirt. Meanwhile, bristles with medium to stiff bristles may be too harsh on your gums and enamel.
You should also opt for small-headed toothbrushes, as these can better reach all the areas of the mouth. Lastly, a non-slip grip, angled, or flexible-neck handle can also make brushing more comfortable.
To maintain oral hygiene, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) recommends replacing the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. This ensures that the bristles can still effectively clean the teeth and also avoid the accumulation of harmful bacteria. With that in mind, it is practical to purchase a pack of toothbrush.
This not only helps you save time and effort when buying, but it is also more cost-effective. Additionally, purchasing a pack of toothbrushes is recommended if you're living with your family o if you're expecting guests to stay over.
Pigeon Training Toothbrush Set is a three-step toothbrush that caters to kids' oral growth. Three toothbrushes are included in this setーthey can start using this set from 6 months until they're18 months old. Its bristles are also made from nylon, so they are guaranteed soft and gentle on the teeth and gums.
Each toothbrush has an elastomer rubber head, fine bristles on the end, and a sturdy, flat, broader handle that introduces the concept of properly holding a toothbrush while helping your child get used to brushing their teeth. Additionally, it has an attachable safety shield, a feature to prevent choking.
From ₱368
If you're looking for a toothbrush that's specifically designed for sensitive teeth and gums, look no further than Sensodyne's Repair & Protect Soft Toothbrush. This product has rounded tip bristles that come with tapered filaments to help protect our teeth from overbrushing. It also has a small, angled head that can help you reach the hardest places in your mouth, like the back molars.
Unlike other toothbrush brands, Sensodyne Repair and Protect provides inner twisting bristles that allow plaque removal. On top of all that, it boasts NovaMin technology, which forms a calcium phosphate layer in exposed tubules on your teeth, repairing and protecting your teeth after brushing.
From ₱198
This toothbrush from Oral-B is a unique one because the bristles are infused with green tea extract, which helps in deep cleaning your teeth. It also is easy to maneuver as it has ultra-slim bristles that are less than 0.01 mm and a measly 25 mm head, allowing you to reach even the toughest areas of your mouth.
You'll be able to gently yet effectively clean the gum line, as it has soft bristlesーno need to worry about painful brushing! Additionally, its cup-shaped bristles can cover each tooth well for maximum plaque removal.
All of these are available at such an affordable price that many customers like! So, if you're on the hunt for an inexpensive ultra-thin and gentle toothbrush, this is worth checking out!
From ₱229.5
This brush was designed with gentle yet thorough cleaning in mind. Its bristles have 7x more tuft density, making it a great toothbrush for thorough cleaning that doesn't hurt the teeth or the gums. Additionally, it has a 3.5 mm head that can reach around the mouth and allows access to the back molars with ease.
This toothbrush's super dense and fluffy thin bristles are gentle enough to massage the gums, which makes it the perfect brush for people aiming for an even deeper oral cleaning experience. It's also a great toothbrush for kids who still have sensitive baby teeth!
From ₱619.2
This electric toothbrush packs a punch in the fight against plaque. The multidirectional sonic vibration promises a powerful cleaning experience, and it's backed up by the anti-bacterial properties of charcoal. It even has a two-minute timer to guarantee a thorough brush every time!
This toothbrush from Colgate is light and compact for an electric toothbrushーthe handle is slim enough to maneuver around the mouth. It also has a small head which makes for moving around the mouth with ease. You'll be pleased to know that even with all the power packed into this device, it still gives a gentle clean due to the soft and thin bristles.
From ₱66
For kids 5 to 7 years old, this toothbrush can encourage them to brush their teeth thoroughly. It features soft bristles that provide a gentle and effective cleaning and a tongue cleaner at the back of its toothbrush head for a deeper cleaning processーall for healthy oral hygiene!
Its handle is rounded, designed with a comfortable thumb grip for easier mobility. Moreover, it also has a suction cup at the bottom for easy upright storage. If you're looking for an affordable option that will guarantee a gentle yet effective way of handling your child's oral health, this toothbrush is the one to get!
From ₱40
Bamboo has natural antibacterial properties, so this can keep your mouth safe from bacteria. The charcoal-infused bristles can also safely and naturally kill odor-causing bacteria. The soft bristles are gentle on the teeth and are effective at removing plaque. This might not be the most delicate, but it still gets the job done in a sustainable way.
From ₱1,349.1
This Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Vitality Gum Care provides deep cleaning with its extra-soft regular bristles. It also performs 2D cleaning action with its oscillating, round-shaped head that is small enough to reach all around your mouth and provide an intense cleaning.
For a more thorough clean, it also has an in-handle timer that alerts you to brush for two minutes! It buzzes every thirty seconds, reminding users to brush every quadrant of the mouth. Unlike any other regular electric toothbrushes, Oral-B Vitality Gum Care is a rechargeable electronic toothbrush that helps remove plaque and stains twice as a manual toothbrush does.
This is specifically designed for kids, and it has a convex-shaped brush that helps to effectively clean and remove the dirt on the grooves and crevices of the molars. Its gentle ultrasonic vibration boasts 6000 brush strokes per minuteーtalk about efficient and adequate brushing! What's more, is that it has an LED light for more ease in cleaning.
This unorthodox toothbrush has special uses that a regular toothbrush can't do. The small tuft at the end of an extremely angled brush makes it easy to brush the emerging teeth of babies and even adults with wisdom teeth. The flexible and ultra-soft bristles are stable yet gentle for cleaning precisely.
This product is great for brushing along the gum line with its dome-shaped tuft with short filaments. It is also an ideal toothbrush for braces, implants, and kids erupting molars. If you're a mother with a fussy baby or an adult with very remote areas that needs cleaning, try this brush.
Get the best smile from the best oral hygiene! Below Dr. Carlo Umlas answers the most asked questions we found on the web.
You should brush for two minutes per session. This ensures that you are able to reach every corner of your mouth and cover all tooth surfaces.
We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day to remove food and plaque. Plaque that remains on tooth surfaces and in crevices hardens and becomes tartar, which is much harder to remove and leads to inflammation and gum disease.
Keep in mind, too, the time when you should brush, particularly when you've consumed acidic food and drinks. These weaken enamel, so it's better to avoid brushing right away because brushing too soon after consuming these can weaken tooth enamel even further. Best to wait for at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.
No, not really. The length of time you brush your teeth and your brushing technique are more important than the bristle pattern of your toothbrush. Variations in bristle height do help to brush hard-to-reach areas, but only if your brushing technique is correct.
Change your toothbrush every three to four months. Longer than that, the bristles will become frayed, and out of shape, so they won't be effective in cleaning your teeth. Plus, there will be bacteria build-up in the bristles and can leave you open to infection and disease.
See 2 dentist-approved toothbrushes below! Don't skip the description to know why he recommends it.
A toothbrush isn't all you'll need to keep your teeth clean, your breath fresh, and your gums healthy. You'll be needing toothpaste, mouthwash, as well as a breath freshener to keep your mouth smelling fresh all day long. After all, your mouth is the most used orifice in your body, and it'll take more than a brush to keep it clean.
Re-editor: Angelica Maturan
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1:Pigeon|Training Toothbrush Set|6OTP-K-892
No. 2:Sensodyne|Repair & Protect Soft Toothbrush|Buy 2 Get 1 Free
No. 3:Oral-B|Ultra Thin Green Tea Toothbrush|3s Extra Soft Toothbrush
No. 4:Colgate|Cushion Clean Soft Toothbrush Twin Pack|8850006932827
No. 5:Colgate|ProClinical 150 Charcoal Battery Power Sonic Toothbrush with Soft Bristles|61006860
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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