According to Jennifer Barbara of Colgate-Palmolive Company, manual toothbrush sales in the United States totaled 692 million dollars in 1998. A good toothbrush is relatively inexpensive compared to most dental procedures. Sales are bolstered by the seemingly endless variety of toothbrush shapes, styles and colors marketed today. This product diversification should not cause consumer confusion, however. Choosing the best toothbrush begins with choosing the right bristles.
Bristles are vital because they directly contact the teeth.
Consider bristle type, shape, and arrangement before you purchase any toothbrush. They can also cause periodontal disease and receding gumlines. Studies show that soft-bristled toothbrushes remove plaque as effectively as medium or hard bristles. For these reasons, you should always use a soft-bristled toothbrush. It is difficult to visualize the amount of end-rounded bristles on a toothbrush because they are so small.