Gentle toothbrush: soft and extra soft bristles, ADA Seal and kids' sizes

Reading the bristle label

• Soft, extra soft, medium, hard: the usual labels. There is no single standard across brands, so one maker's soft may feel different from another's.
• Extra soft and ultra soft: usually mean even finer or more flexible bristles. People who find brushing uncomfortable sometimes look for these. Ask your dentist what is right for your mouth.
• Sensitive: a marketing category. Check the bristle label, not just the word.
• Head size and handle: smaller heads reach the back teeth more easily for some people. Comfort and grip matter, especially for children and older adults.
• Electric brushes: many offer several modes and replacement heads in different firmness levels. Check the label for the head's bristle type.

What the ADA Seal means

The American Dental Association runs a Seal of Acceptance program. A product that carries the seal has met that program's requirements. A product without the seal may simply not have applied. Check the ADA's website for what the program covers and which products it lists. The seal is one source of information, and it does not replace advice from your dentist.

How often to replace a toothbrush

The ADA recommends replacing a toothbrush or brush head every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Children's brushes often wear out faster, so check them more often. This is also the number to use for cost: see below.

Kids' toothbrushes

• Check the age range on the package. Children's brushes have smaller heads and handles that suit smaller mouths and hands.
• Soft bristles are common on children's brushes. Ask your child's dentist what is right for your child.
• Younger children usually need help from an adult. Ask your child's dentist how to supervise.
• Character brushes can help children enjoy brushing, but check the bristles and the size too.

Our angle: bristle words are not a standard, so compare by cost and feel

Because soft and extra soft are not defined the same way by every brand, buying a multipack of an unfamiliar brush is a gamble. Buy a single brush first. Once you know you like it, compare packs by price per brush, then divide by the replacement schedule to see your cost per year. For children, count that you will replace brushes more often. For electric brushes, compare the cost of replacement heads over a year, not just the handle.

1. Try one brush before you buy a multipack.
2. Divide the pack price by the number of brushes.
3. Multiply by the brushes you will use in a year.