TOOTHBRUSH FAQ's  

• The author of this site recommends Either Manual / Or Electric. It depends on your dexterity.

• Manual if you have good dexterity and are patient enough to brush at least 3+ minutes  (Most people brush only 30 seconds).

• Sonic, the BURST, because of the rubber peg in the middle, if you tend to brush too hard, aggressively, quickly or just want a cleaner mouth.

  • Ultimately cleans better

  • Much less likely to cause sensitivity

  • Less likely to cause recession of gums

• The Sonicare, but with the "Sensitive" brush head, as the others are too stiff, causing gum damage and recession.

• Follow S.M.I.L.E. instructions for best result with either.

• Do not buy cheap battery powered brushes.

• Do not buy electic brushes with a round head that spins or ocsillates.

• Definitely nylon

• Tips should be polished-rounded

• Less likely to cause sensitivity

• Less likely to cause recession of gums

• Follow S.M.I.L.E. instructions for best result 

• GUM® Summit®+ Toothbrush

• Has recommended bristles

• Ultimately cleans better

• Less likely to cause sensitivity

• Less likely to cause recession of gums

• Use alternately with your current brush if you are not used to a soft brush 

• Follow S.M.I.L.E. instructions for best result 

• Please don't fall for the gimmicks that manufacturers produce with fancy bends in the handle, rubber bristles, or other features that show up. They do this to create something "new" so they can keep selling their brand. Just buy a quality regular looking brush, with soft nylon rounded polished bristles.

• I also like: the GUM® "Classic Toothbrush" #311, compact head, Soft bristle. This brush has been around for 30 years and is great manual toothbrush-- but the bristles are not as soft/tapered as the newer Summit® I listed above. Call the company to order the brush. I did. They have them in the warehouse--just not on the website. 

• If you are desiring a brush that is easy on the environment, here is one I found that is also easy on the teeth and gums. 1% of profit goes to a worthy cause.

Choose a Sonic brush

• Battery operated do not have the cleaning power as a rechargeable sonic brush does

• Round head brushes or combinations thereof are much less effective in cleaning the areas that really matter, in my observational experience as a dental hygienist of 38 years

• Round head brushes are not "sonic". They rotate or spin and cannot be held at a 45 degree angle to get into the gums, where GUM DISEASE occurs. 

After using the Interpak®, the Oral-B®, Sonicare®, and trying other less popular electic brushes, I developed extreme sensitivity along the gumline and found brushing with ANYTHING a very painful experience. I'm a pro, and my toothbrush (Sonicare) was causing recession and seemed more abrasive than is used to be. Then, in one of my Facebook® hygiene groups, I heard a buzz about a new sonic toothbrush, tried it and fell in love! 

I personally and specifically recommend the BURST (professional discount code BFL) 

• Ultimately it cleans better

• Less likely to cause sensitivity

• Less likely to cause recession of gums

• Has a feature that prevents you from pressing too hard when brushing

• Super soft tapered bristles, reaching all the nooks and crannies--yet gentle on teeth and gums

• Charcoal infused bristles

• Replacement heads (professional discount code BFL) are shipped automatically

*Lynelle DeRoo, BURST Ambassador, recommends the  BURST sonic brush as her personal choice above all other brushes on the market and is her selection for personal use.

Personally, I find: 

• it doesn't clean as thoroughly as the BURST 

• the bristles that come with the brush are more likely to cause sensitivity (my experience as well as many of my hygiene collegues)

• the bristles are more likely to cause recession (see above)

• it's very expensive ($330)

• replacement heads are more expensive

• HOWEVER-- IF YOU HAVE INVESTED IN A SONICARE, I SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE THEIR "SENSITIVE HEAD" WHICH HAS SOFTER BRISTLES. IT'S AVAILABLE THROUGH TARGET.COM

I want to answer this from my perspective and experience as a dental hygienist of over 38 years...

In over three decades of cleaning thousands of teeth, I have only seen THREE people use this brush effectively.

1. Although the commercials show it doing a wonderful carwash action, hugging each tooth and magically cleaning all the plaque off--it doesn't.
2. The head of this brush is too big to do this supposed "hugging" on any but the very back teeth.
3. You cannot angle this head 45 degrees and get the bristles under the gums into the "turtleneck" around each tooth.
4. The brush will get only the highest surfaces clean, not reaching in between the teeth or into the gumline--where GUM DISEASE is!
5. I typically see massive amounts of plaque and bleeding between all the teeth when this brush is used.

6. To get the bristles around to the sides of the teeth, you must press hard. I see the round curve of the teeth worn flat--and even a hole worn through the enamel, from pressing hard. Teeth are not made of steel and will wear through. 

In summary, it just doesn't cut it. 

ALWAYS SOFT

• Soft bristles are more flexable and conforms to curve of the tooth better

• Ultimately cleans better

• Less likely to cause sensitivity

• Less likely to cause recession of gums

• Use alternately with your current brush if you are not used to it 

Follow S.M.I.L.E. instructions for best result