choosing a toothbrush

Although you should change your toothbrush every three months, if you are successfully removing plaque with your current brush type there's no reason to change brands. However, you may improve your technique by changing the type of brush you use.

Faced with a bewildering array of toothbrushes on the market, you can quite rightly question whether there is any science behind the infinitely various designs.

The handle design, focuses on providing an easy to grip handle and in reality the difference between brands is likely to be more about aesthetic appeal and less about brushing effectiveness. Where the head is concerned, statistically, significant improvements may be shown for some types of brush head. Many people with periodontal disease do a good job with a flat-trimmed brush, while others prefer a multi-level filament one. The two most important features are a small head plus end-rounded filaments. You may also wish to buy a brush with coloured filaments which fade to remind you when it needs replacing.

• Your toothbrush should be the right size for your mouth and teeth - it should not be uncomfortable to clean your teeth.
• Your toothbrush should have bristles that stand up straight.
• You should replace your toothbrush every three months.

Interdental brushes are becoming popular for people with larger spaces in between their teeth. These brushes enable you to clean the spaces between teeth where food and plaque can build up.

If you have had crowns, bridges and implants, the chances are you'll expect your restorations to last and may wish to consider investing in an electric toothbrush. People with poor dental hygiene may also benefit from using an electric toothbrush as there is evidence to show they clean teeth more effectively than manual brushing.