These Dentist-Approved Manual Toothbrushes Will Keep Your Teeth Squeaky Clean
These Dentist-Approved Manual Toothbrushes Will Keep Your Teeth Squeaky Clean
So you care about your teeth. Great! You should! That said, if you’re invested, you might be thinking about what kinds of toothbrushes are *actually* best for your oral health. Well, here’s what you should know: You don’t need to buy an electric toothbrush in order to have clean, healthy teeth. In fact, the best manual toothbrushes out there do the job just fine, experts say. (Assuming you know how to brush your teeth correctly, of course.) Wondering which are the best manual toothbrushes, specifically? Keep reading.
First, let’s get one thing straight: Just because electric toothbrushes are more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean they work better. “You might think that price is an indicator of performance and that it would favor electric brushes,” explains Saam Zarrabi, DDS, founder of Rodeo Dental and Orthodontics in Texas. “Although some studies suggest electric toothbrushes can remove more plaque from your teeth, manual toothbrushes are still very effective when used correctly.” Noted.
Plus, there are so many benefits to using a manual toothbrush aside from the great price point, explains Inna Chern, DDS, a cosmetic dentist at New York General Dentistry in Manhattan: They’re inexpensive, easy to replace, small, low maintenance (AKA no charging or batteries), and portable. One note, though: Just make sure you’re replacing that toothbrush around every three months, Chern suggests.
Now that you’re up-to-date on all things manual toothbrushes, it’s time to get into the details. The following are the seven best manual toothbrushes you can buy right now, all according to expert dentists. Happy brushing! (And don’t forget to snag some fresh toothpaste to compliment your new manual brush, too.)
1) Indicator Color Collection Manual Toothbrush
Oral-B
amazon.com
$9.65
Okay so, if you've ever had trouble knowing exactly when to throw out your toothbrush, this one's for you. "The color of the brush fades when it comes time to replace it," Chern explains. Plus, the bristles are crafted in a wave shape so that you can get behind your far-back teeth.
Reviewer Rave: "These are firm toothbrushes, perfect size and good quality for the price. There is nothing fancy about these, they are basic, well made toothbrushes that clean our teeth very well. They have wear indicator bristles that let you know when to replace them... I have ordered these several times and always get mixed colors." —Gramps, amazon.com
2) 360° Advanced Optic White Toothbrush
Colgate
amazon.com
$6.84
Yup, this toothbrush not only has super soft bristles but *als0* a built-in cheek and tongue cleaner, Chern explains. It also has a rubber-gripped handle to make it easier for you to maneuver it around your mouth.
Reviewer Rave: "They grip well, brush well and don't wear out too fast. If you are looking for just a good stable tooth brush that works and comes from a trusted source go with this one!" —Joshua, amazon.com
3) Sensitive Soft Toothbrush
Sensodyne
amazon.com
$5.98
"Manual toothbrushes need to have soft or extra soft bristles to protect the enamel and gingiva," explains Anjali Rajpal, DMD, a dentist at Beverly Hills Dental Arts. That's why Rajpal recommends the Sensodyne Sensitive Toothbrush, which has super soft bristles that are gentle on your gums and pearly whites.
Reviewer Rave: "I like the entire line of Sensodyne products. Normally I use an electric toothbrush, but I wanted to try a soft brush. The Sensodyne brushes are very soft, but they do a good job of cleaning sensitive teeth. They're also good for gum care, too. I take the toothbrush over my gums at the base of the teeth after brushing and it helps keep gums clean and healthier." —Warfield, amazon.com
4) Extra Soft Toothbrushes
Nimbus
amazon.com
$14.75
If you need an extra extra soft toothbrush, (AKA, your teeth are *super* sensitive), the Nimbus toothbrush is for you. "The average 'soft' toothbrush isn't always soft enough to prevent discomfort," Zarrabi says. "They’re extra soft toothbrushes because they're made with micro-fine materials. Still, they're capable of cleaning hard-to-reach areas and removing plaque because they alternate between single-end tapered bristles and short-end-rounded bristles." Plus, yup, these come in packs of five.
Reviewer Rave: "I am a Dental Hygienist and have been buying the nimbus toothbrush for myself and my kids for years. It was recommended to me by the Periodontist I worked for to preserve gum tissue...especially if you have recession, acid erosion issues, or gum tissue inflammation/bleeding. I have my kids use them to prevent any issues from occurring and it's been very helpful with cleaning around braces as well. This toothbrush won't allow you to brush too hard, the bristle tips are tapered in such a way that really gets things clean, and it really helps you to become a more conscious brusher." —Jennifer, amazon.com
5) Biodegradable Bamboo Toothbrushes
Nuduko
amazon.com
$8.99
If you like prioritizing products that are eco-friendly, here's the toothbrush that should be on your radar: Nuduko Biodegradable Bamboo Toothbrushes. "They’re eco-friendly and biodegradable because they're made from bamboo and come wrapped in cardboard," Zarrabi says. And, yup, the nylon bristles are soft, BPA-free, and effective when it comes to removing yucky plaque.
Reviewer Rave: "These work just as well as any other toothbrush we've used so no complaints there. There are 5 black bristled ones and 5 white bristled ones which makes it easy to tell which is which when there are two of us using them. If you have more people they are also lettered so you can just look to that as well. The real selling point on these is that they are bamboo handled which makes them biodegradable and puts way less plastic back into the environment." —Dawn, amazon.com
6) U-Shaped Orthodontic Toothbrush With Soft Bristle
Y-Kelin
amazon.com
$7.99
This toothbrush is best for those who have orthodontic equipment such as built-in, permanent retainers, metal braces, and the like. "Unlike standard brushes that easily fray and fail to reach around braces, these have a smaller head and special V-shaped bristles, which are angled at 45 degrees, that scrub without hooking or catching," Zarrabi says. Noted.
Reviewer Rave: "I purchased these toothbrushes because I have braces. I love it and I do believe I made a great purchase." —Tierra, amazon.com
7) Perio Toothbrush
Dr. Collins
amazon.com
$9.28
If you suffer from issues such as gum disease or gum recession, add this toothbrush to your cart. "For either of these issues, we suggest using this toothbrush, which features super slim polyester bristles that can get into the smallest gaps between teeth," Zarrabi says. "Since they are made from polyester, they are also less porous than traditional nylon bristles, limiting bacterial growth." And yup, you can get three of these for just nine dollars.
Reviewer Rave: "These Dr. Collins brushes allow me to brush my gumline and between by teeth with zero discomfort, and while cleaning amazingly well. These are my favorite brushes and I keep coming back to them time and time again." —Abby, amazon.com
If expensive electric toothbrushes aren’t your thing, this one’s for you.