Remember: SOFT only

I probably won't make many posts pertaining to dentistry, but I think this is an important one.  Growing up a dentist's daughter and becoming one myself, this was something I assumed for many years that everyone knew, but I have learned I was wrong to make that assumption.

Only buy soft (or extra-soft) bristled toothbrushes :)

I'm not sure why the toothbrush manufacturers even make ones with harder bristles than that, unless they intend to sell them on the cleaning aisle.

My patients who use medium or hard have done so most of their life and are difficult to convince on this one, but once I explain it, they usually understand.  They feel like the softer ones don't get their teeth clean enough.  In actuality, harder bristled toothbrushes can strip your gums back from your teeth as well as damage the enamel.  Both of those effects lead to tooth sensitivity because they expose more of dentin - the part of your tooth that isn't insulated from cold.  Think of it as gently massaging your teeth clean instead of scrubbing them.  Sooooo... the moral of the story is SOFT ONLY - save the scrubbing for your dishes, floors, etc.