Soft or hard bristles

Toothbrushes have been around for quite some time. According to the CUP article, ancient people used to rinse their mouths after meals and brush their teeth with branches. Initially, toothbrushes were made of boar bristles, and in Europe, horse bristles were used. It was not until the 1930s that DuPont introduced a toothbrush made of nylon bristles, which is still used today.

Today, there are many other options for toothbrushes. You can choose from hard-bristled toothbrushes, soft-bristled toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, or battery-operated toothbrushes.

Types of bristles
When it comes to bristles, they are generally classified as super soft, soft, medium soft, etc. Hard bristle toothbrushes are becoming increasingly difficult to find. In fact, even toothbrushes with soft tongue and cheek cleaning gel or multiple bristles are less likely to have stiff bristles. Finding the right type of bristles for you will depend on your specific oral care needs and the oral problems you are facing at the time.

However, dentists generally recommend that we choose a soft-bristled toothbrush over a hard or medium-soft bristled toothbrush. If you have signs of tooth sensitivity and enamel erosion, your dentist may even recommend a toothbrush with super soft bristles.

Effect of hard bristles
When you brush your teeth the wrong way, depending on the type of bristles you choose and how hard you apply them, there can be a number of negative effects, and Cosmopolitan describes some of the factors that can cause damage to your mouth when brushing, including bristles that are too hard, brushing too hard, and scaling and brushing too often. Therefore, it is worth paying more attention to every detail.

Choosing your toothbrush
So, is there a reason to use a stiff-bristled toothbrush at all? In terms of oral care, of course not. While some people report a preference for hard-bristled toothbrushes, they are actually more likely to abrade tooth enamel and damage gums, so they are usually not the best choice. It is known that hard bristles have the benefit of removing more plaque than soft bristles, but this is not enough to justify their use.

Of course, if you think a hard-bristled toothbrush is better for you, or if it can help you improve your oral health, it’s best to discuss your options with your dentist first. Perhaps you are switching from a manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush that already provides you with the added benefit of a true teeth cleaning while not damaging your enamel or gums.