More sustainable materials include recycled materials, bamboo, metal, or bio-based plastics. Find out more about the different options in our article on the most eco-friendly toothbrushes. Studies (reviewed by Niederman and Yaacob et al ) show that electric toothbrushes are better at removing plaque. They also show that electric toothbrushes help with gum disease.

If you are a clinically high risk patient I would advise using an electric toothbrush. I go into more detail about that in this post. The bamboo handle is combined with bio-based bristles (which are arranged on a flat plane and are soft to medium hardness). Manual toothbrushes are more eco-friendly than electric toothbrusheswhen you assess their impact from manufacturing to disposal.Outhouse TL, et al. (2006). A Cochrane systematic review finds tongue scrapers have short-term efficacy in controlling halitosis.

When shopping for a tongue scraper, look for either a plastic or metal material, a wide scraper head, and any added features that may help further clean the mouth. Additionally, you'll want to look for a tongue scraper that is easy to clean and disinfect, especially if you're regularly on the go. We researched dozens of tongue scrapers and cleaners and evaluated them for ease of use, materials, pricing, and added features. An orthodontist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding oral hygiene, the efficacy of tongue scrapers, and how to evaluate them. When a toothbrush is made the bristles get cut to the length of the manufacturer’s choosing.As they are cut by the sharp blade, the tips of the bristles can be uneven and sharp.

Don't just clean down the center of your tongue. It is essential to scrape and clean the entire top and side surfaces as well. Really the take home message is that the technique is more important than the bristle firmness for plaque removal and protection against tooth wear. How bristle cut, shape & pattern can vary A tongue brush is a specialty oral brush with bristles designed to clean out the tongue's small crevices. This relatively recent invention is very effective at removing odor-causing bacteria comparable to a traditional tongue scraper. Today, you can even find combination products, which have a toothbrush on one side and a tongue brush on the other. How to Use a Tongue Scraper The technology & features vary from brush to brush, and often indicative of the price point. While more inexpensive models may have one brushing mode and a two-minute timer, higher-end models can be outfitted with everything from facial recognition to pressure sensors and Bluetooth connectivity. Traditionally, toothbrush bristles were made with animal hair, such as those from a boar or even a horse. Some “natural” brushes and those that promote themselves as fully biodegradable still use them.

The hum by Colgate stands out as the ultimate toothbrush for kids, revolutionizing their brushing experience and turning it into an enjoyable, stress-free routine. Straight brush handles are the most basic design, and cheapest to make. They are long handles (circular or flat cross section) and have no contours, real shaping or grip built-in. I have selected the Colgate Extra Clean toothbrush as the best high street option for a non electric, manual toothbrush.The newer breed of silicone and rubber bristles also vary in their cut and configuration. There isn’t as much variety as there is with nylon or polyester bristles, but given the smaller number of these types of bristled brushes, there is limited study into which is the ‘best’ configuration. How indicator bristles work Scrubbing and pressure sensors: To get an effective clean, you only need to place the brush against your gum line—you shouldn't apply any pressure to the brush and you don't need to scrub your teeth. Electric toothbrushes with pressure sensors will monitor how much pressure you apply and alert you to ease up. The ones with scrubbing sensors will do the same if they notice you're scrubbing your teeth too much. This will help protect your enamel and gums. Don't worry, your teeth and gums will get perfectly clean without any of that pressure. This is our selection for the best bamboo toothbrush, and it is also one of the most environmentally friendly brushes available. The heads are made from plastic and nylon bristles, and have a polishing cup incorporated. I don’t know whether it has any real benefit in use, but it doesn’t do any harm. The multilevel bristles are more firm than most of the other toothbrushes I have tested, so this is one for you if you like a hard bristle toothbrush. The type of material affects how you can recycle the toothbrush. Animal hair can be composted, whilst other materials require specialist recycling. Find out more about how to recycle toothbrush bristles here.

Built-in timers: This is one of the more basic features on an electric toothbrush. Most on this list have two-minute timers, many with notifications at 20- or 30-second intervals to guide you as you brush your teeth. According to Dr. Schlenoff, if used properly, both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective. He says it's really a matter of personal preference. While they can both do a good job cleaning your teeth, an electric toothbrush comes with smart technology like pressure sensors, facial recognition, and brushing timers. If those features are appealing to you, you may prefer an electric toothbrush. The design of a toothbrush handle can vary considerably depending on the manufacturer. You can choose between different materials, shapes and angles for your toothbrush.These sharper tips can aggravate gums and even cause abrasion on the tooth surface. This is more likely for brushes that have not been through a blunting process. According to Dr. Salim, stainless-steel tongue scrapers can be easily disinfected and they last a long time. “[Tongue scrapers need] to be cleaned by running it under warm water and leaving it to dry thereafter,” he says. Plastic tongue scrapers, like toothbrushes, need to be replaced every three to four months of regular use. Rinse the tongue brush or tongue scraper off after using it to remove bacteria and any food debris from the areas of the tongue you cleaned. A tongue scraper can be used to clean your tongue either before or after you brush your teeth. Your tongue is sensitive, so it's essential to be gentle and not press the cleaner too forcefully into your tongue. Here are a few more general cleaning tips: