1. Texture

Toothbrushes are available in a variety of textures from extra soft to extra hard. Dentists recommend a soft to medium texture toothbrush to ensure effective cleaning without damaging tooth enamel and gum tissue.

2. Head size and shape

Choose a brush with a head size to suit your brushing style. Look out for compact heads to allow access to all mouth areas with a rounded shape for safer brushing.

3. Filaments (bristles)

Toothbrush filaments come in a wide variety of colours and styles with some having additional cleaning features built in, including some with a micro textured surface that can aid plaque and stain removal whilst you brush. Brushes such as Wisdom Clean Between use tapered filaments in the head which are designed to reach further between teeth, whilst also being extremely gentle on gums. Angled filaments and longer tip can also be useful in reaching the back teeth and in between.

4. Handle design

With everyone having their own unique brushing style it is important to choose a brush that suits you and provides a comfortable and secure grip when brushing. Look out for rubber grips to help stop hands slipping when brushing.

5. Tongue cleaners

Many toothbrushes now come with rubber or plastic tongue cleaners built into the back of the brush head. These are designed to remove bacteria from the tongue and inside of the cheeks to ensure your mouth is left completely clean and fresh. Some tongue cleaners even feature antibacterial ingredients to inhibit the growth of bacteria on the tongue cleaner for even greater hygiene.

6. Gum Massagers

Rubber fingers around the edge of the brush head are also now a regular feature on modern toothbrushes and have been developed to stimulate the gums whilst brushing to help keep gum tissue healthy.

7. Rubber whitening features

Rubber sections in the head of the brush can also be used to aid stain removal on the surface of the teeth for a whiter smile.

8. Electric & battery toothbrushes

These are available with oscillating or vibrating heads and can deliver a powerful cleaning action for efficient plaque removal. They should still be used for 2 minutes twice a day as a manual toothbrush to ensure they deliver the required level of cleaning. Although the powered movement definitely assists in cleaning, the brush head must still be worked around the whole mouth as you would with a manual toothbrush.

9. Change your brush regularly

Whatever your brush choice you should still change your brush every 3 months. Most people in the UK only change their toothbrush once in every 9 months! Dentists recommend changing your brush every 3 months or as soon as the filaments become splayed, as a worn out brush is not as effective at removing plaque. It is also recommended that you change your brush after any illness to avoid the spread of infections.