Do You Really Need a $400 Toothbrush?

One of the most common questions we are asked at Fine Dentistry by Design is:

“What kind of toothbrush should I use?”

Recently a team of inventors developed “Grush” – a toothbrush that works in conjunction with a video game to help children brush better. Is that really something we need? Well apparently some very smart people think so, because the Grush Brush just took first place in “America’s Greatest Makers,” a new reality TV show from Mark Burnett and Intel. The Grush is expected to sell for $59.00.

Not to be outdone, the folks at Proctor & Gamble are about to unleash the “Oral-B Genius.” We’re not sure what it does, but at $200 it better be pretty smart!

Not expensive enough? Fear not. Soon you will be able to purchase the brainchild of a Chicago dentist, the $400.00 Bluetooth enabled Prophix. Just exactly what does a four hundred dollar toothbrush do? The Prophix actually has a miniature camera so you can see precisely where you are brushing through a smartphone app!

Which leads to the question – do you really need an expensive toothbrush or is a three dollar one from Target good enough?

The answer is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no, but it comes down to this.

Some of our patients, especially those with gum disease, could benefit from an electric Oral-B toothbrush. Consider it to be an investment in your health.

But for many, the good old standard toothbrush is just fine, as long as…

• You purchase one with soft bristles
• The head of the toothbrush is small enough to reach every surface of every tooth
• You brush several times daily using the correct brushing method (this is crucial)
• You floss every day. Yes – not just two minutes before your dental appointment – every day!!

The good news is, for most people a good at-home oral hygiene regimen is inexpensive and simple.

The team at Fine Dentistry by Design would love to show you the correct way to brush and floss (most people are doing it wrong!) and even help you select the best brush and floss for you. Please give us a call at 301-984-2200. We are here for you!