How to choose your next toothbrush

5 important features, plus a look at some interesting models

Published: May 27, 2014 03:00 PM

Though it seems pretty basic, picking a toothbrush is anything but. Soft bristles or hard? Bent neck or straight? Manual or electric? The choices are endless: Our recent search for toothbrushes at Drugstore.com turned up 435 results in 53 brands! So our colleagues at ShopSmart magazine got advice from the American Dental Association and independent experts on how to choose your next toothbrush.

In addition to following this expert advice, you can look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products that display the seal have met the organization's standards for safety, efficacy, composition, labeling, package inserts, and advertising, says the ADA spokeswoman Ruchi Sahota, D.D.S. Note that the seal is voluntary, and companies must pay for it. (Companies must still meet certain standards for their products to earn the seal.) Among the brushes shown below, some have the seal, some do not.

If you're wondering whether you should spring for an electric toothbrush, here's a money-saving tip: Electric and manual brushes are equally good, research shows, as long as you do a thorough job of brushing twice daily for at least two minutes each time.

And remember to replace your toothbrush every three months, or more often. Brushes become less effective as they get worn or frayed.

Check our buying guides for toothbrushes, which includes tips for cleaner teeth, and tooth whiteners. And don't forget to (properly) floss your teeth.

What to look for in a toothbrush

Feature	Details
Soft bristles	Some medium brushes are soft enough, but your best choice is a brush that's labeled "soft." Never choose hard bristles. You can damage the gums very easily, says Mark S. Wolff, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor at the New York University College of Dentistry.
Angled bristles	Like a bent neck, bristles in varying heights and angled in different directions might make it easier to get into every crevice.
Bent neck	This style can help you get into the nooks and crannies of teeth.
Right-sized head	Bigger isn't always better. "Make sure it fits your mouth comfortably," Dr. Sahota said. If the head is too large for you, it will be tough to get the bristles into the back corners of your mouth, and you'll leave some plaque behind.
Comfortable handle	Slim or chunky? Pick whatever feels best in your hand. "All chefs don't use the same knife, and it's the same with toothbrushes," Wolff said. "Choose a handle that will help you brush comfortably."

Toothbrushes that go beyond the basics

These toothbrushes are all soft-bristled and have cool features that make them stand out—or in the case of the Violife, stand up. Find them at Amazon.com or Drugstore.com unless another site is listed. (Some are sold in bulk packages.) We did not test them in our labs. Shown, from left to right: