I get this question all the time. The answer is, it depends. For those who tend to brush aggressively and show signs of gum recession caused by toothbrush abrasion, I recommend extra soft brushes/brush heads. For everyone else, a soft brush will do the job. So who's supposed to use medium or hard brushes? No one. Really. I have seen many cases of moderate to severe gum recession caused by medium and hard brushes that I don't recommend them for anyone. Many people assume that a medium brush, is an "average" brush but actually the bristles are quiet hard and often times will cause damage to gum tissue and teeth.. In severe cases, I've seen gum recession and wear of the roots of the teeth resulting in sensitivity to cold and hot foods. Often times the roots will need composite restorations to prevent further wear, protect the nerve within the teeth and reduce sensitivity.
So you might be thinking, at this point,that you need to change your toothbrush. The next question is, do I invest in an electric brush? The answer is,again, it depends. I have patients that use manuel brushes and do a fantastic job keeping their teeth clean. Others need the help of an electric brush to keep their pearly whites sparkling. I usually make recommendations during hygiene visits depending on the amount of plaque and tarter accumulated, caries rate (number of cavities), periodontal condition, patients manuel dexterity etc. Often times investing in an electric brush makes a lot of sense, especially when it comes to children and the elderly that have limited range of motion. Studies have shown that electric brushes, in general, tend to do a better job than manuel brushes and will often times make brushing easier, faster and more thorough.
