Brushing teeth is one of the most, if not the most, important things you can do yourself to keep your teeth and gums healthy. In conjunction with flossing, proper and regular brushing fights plaque and gum disease and prevents more serious problems.

Part of proper brushing includes picking out the right toothbrush. But if you go to the store to pick up a toothbrush, you're likely to be inundated with choices. Angled heads, soft bristles, hard bristles, electric, and all sorts of features can make it difficult to choose a toothbrush. However, choosing the right toothbrush is important, as it can have an impact on how clean your teeth become.

When deciding on the right toothbrush, there are a number of things to take into consideration, including:
    Bristles. This is probably the most important factor when choosing a toothbrush. Most toothbrushes come in either soft, medium, or hard bristles. You should choose a toothbrush that has soft nylon bristles, as they will last longer and not hurt the gums, no matter how hard you brush. Contrary to what some may believe, harder bristles do not clean the teeth any better and can actually damage the gums.
    Angle. As a general rule, angled bristles may be more effective at reaching hard-to-reach places in the mouth than flat brushes. You may want to get a toothbrush with an angled mouth that will be able to reach the teeth in the very back of the mouth.
    Size of head. The size of the brush head is also important. If you're choosing a toothbrush for a child, be sure to get a toothbrush designed specifically for children; there are a number of varieties for different age groups. The brush head should fit comfortably in the mouth and be small enough to reach harder-to-reach places.
    Choose a comfortable handle. Many toothbrushes now have rubber handles, which make it more comfortable to grip and less likely to slip out of your hands when wet.

What about electric toothbrushes?
There have been conflicting studies on the effectiveness of electric brushes in removing plaque build-up: some say they remove more, other studies claim there is no difference. In the end, an electric toothbrush is simply a personal preference. Electric toothbrushes have certain advantages over manual toothbrushes, in that they cover more area faster. As a general rule, they are recommended for people who have limited use of their hands, such as from arthritis. Studies show that people who use electric toothbrushes are also more likely to brush longer, so it could be advantageous.

Once you have chosen the proper toothbrush, be sure to brush properly. Experts recommend you brush teeth at least twice daily with an American Dental Association-approved toothpaste. Your toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. Proper brushing technique is to brush for at least two minutes (a minute on the top and a minute on the bottom) in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line.

While the choices may seem overwhelming, following the above guidelines will help you to choose the most effective toothbrush.