When it comes to oral hygiene, it’s not just about the toothpaste. You also need to have a good toothbrush that will effectively get rid of any lingering bacteria and plaque from your mouth, and a hard-bristled brush is definitely not going to do the trick.
Unfortunately, brushing too hard with a regular Whitening Toothbrush can leave you with a sore mouth, causing irritated gums and bleeding. Also, most of the time people tend to spend more time brushing their teeth than actually needs to be done.
Luckily, there are now numerous products on the market that promise to harden your bristles for you or even whiten your teeth.
Are they effective?
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Are they safe?
Toothbrush whitening is in fact very much like teeth whitening, because it involves placing a chemical substance on the bristles of your toothbrush. Whitening Toothbrush, however, does not involve soaking your toothbrush in any solutions. Instead you will use either toothpaste or a gel to which you will add hydrogen peroxide.
In the case of chemical toothbrush whiteners, though, you will need to be extra careful with these products as there have been several reports about some of them being potentially dangerous for your teeth. You can read more about their effectiveness and safety in our previous article.
How to use a whitening toothbrush?
First, make sure that you really do want to try using a hard-bristled toothbrush and that the product is indeed safe for your teeth (or at least relatively safe).
Next, choose either toothpaste or gel which will get rid of those pesky bacteria in your mouth.
Finally, either dip the bristles of your toothbrush in the solution or rub it over your gums and teeth. You should make sure you do this at least 3 times a day or more if you want to see results.
You can also opt to use an electric brush along with this as these are less likely to wear down your teeth, very clean and simple to use.
In our next article we will be looking at another method of whitening your teeth, which involves using activated charcoal.
What are the benefits of using a whitening toothbrush?
A regular toothbrush will generally do in a pinch, yet it’s not always effective at removing all the plaque. If you’re looking for a more efficient brushing experience and faster results, you should go with an electric toothbrush and pair it with a Whitening Toothpaste or gel.
Hard bristle toothbrushes are the way to go, as they will help you target the areas where plaque is forming and will let you forget about brushing too hard.
Toothpaste and gel whiteners work in different ways. As mentioned, toothpaste will get rid of harmful bacteria that can cause bad breath and gum disease while gel will enhance your oral hygiene by applying more pressure on your teeth as you brush them.
What are the drawbacks of using a toothbrush whitener?
There are some drawbacks to both toothpaste and gel, however. On the one hand, you can develop a bad taste in your mouth after using these products, which will occur because they have some abrasive compounds in them (the same compounds that make hard bristle brushes work).
You can also experience temporary sensitivity or numbness in your gums, which will disappear once you stop using them.
Most importantly, however, is that these toothpaste and gel can erode the enamel of your teeth as you brush them.
A good Whitening Toothbrush will also last for several months or even years, which is not going to be the case with any toothpaste or gel.
How do you choose between a hard bristle brush and an electric brush?
Of course it’s important to keep in mind that toothbrushes are not created equal. You will definitely want to pick a hard bristle toothbrush if you want the most effective cleaning experience.
Electric toothbrushes can be less irritating, but they won’t really remove any bacteria that has grown on your teeth, which might be of concern to those with sensitive gums or an aversion to chemical products. Moreover, they also tend to wear down your teeth and cause more cavities, which is something you’re trying to avoid.
If you have sensitive teeth, we recommend that you go with a soft bristle toothbrush and use a whitening toothpaste of gel sparingly.
How do you properly care for your whitening or hard bristle toothbrush?
You should definitely not use any detergents in your washing machine when washing your brush, as this will damage it over time. Avoid using chlorinated water to clean it, too. If you want to disinfect it from time to time, Whitening Toothbrush is the only thing to use.
As for the toothpaste, you’ll want to use a sensitive toothpaste, preferably one with fluoride, as this will provide long lasting protection.
How often should you replace your toothbrush?
You should replace your brush every 3 months or even less if you really feel that your brush is still in good shape. You can learn more about which Whitening Toothbrush is best for you on our guide here.
