Best Manual Toothbrush for 2023

Dr. Reza Written by Dr. Reza Khazaie

What to look for in a manual toothbrush

What to look for in a manual toothbrush - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

Most manual toothbrushes are the same, but manufacturers are now creating better ones with new technology and brushing techniques. For optimal cleaning, pay attention to the different types of bristles.

Some things to look for are:

  • How many bristles are there?
  • What are the angles of the bristles?
  • What length are they at?
  • What materials are the bristles made of?
  • Are the bristles soft, medium, or hard?

Always choose a soft-bristled brush, recommended by the American Dental Association, to prevent damage to tooth enamel and gums. Save medium and hard bristles for bathroom tiles.

Before making a purchasing decision, there are a few questions you should answer once you’ve determined the type of bristles you’re working with:

  • Are you focusing on teeth whitening and cleaning?
  • Do you have sensitive gums or a receding gum line?
  • Are you looking to be more eco-friendly?
  • Do you want a complete clean and optimal plaque removal?
  • Do you wear braces or other orthodontic appliances?

Not all manual brushes are created the same. Ensure that the brand and type you purchase will help you with your oral health treatment. The following is a list of the best manual toothbrush brands on the market.

Overall Best Manual Toothbrush for 2023

What to look for in a manual toothbrush - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

If you are looking simply for which manual toothbrush is the best, the following two toothbrushes are some of the best overall.

These toothbrushes effectively remove plaque, whiten teeth, and eliminate odor-causing germs, making them a great value.

1. Oral-B Pro-Health Soft Toothbrush

Best Manual Toothbrush 2023 - Willow Pass Dental Care, Concord, CA

Oral-B has been proven to be effective for both manual and electric toothbrush users.

The Oral B Pro Health Soft Toothbrush has over 11,000 reviews and an almost perfect star review at a 4.8 rating.

This seemingly simple brush utilizes rounded bristles that are angled to offer an optimal clean. These bristles provide a 50% better clean, especially around the gumline.

These toothbrushes are designed to effectively remove plaque and other unwanted materials from between teeth. The handle offers a comfortable grip and the back of the head features a tongue and cheek cleaner.

2. Oral-B Indicator Color Collection Manual Toothbrush

Best Manual Toothbrush 2023 - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

Again, within the Oral-B family, the Oral-B Indicator Color Collection Manual Toothbrush offers a different kind of clean and overall experience that may be important for some users.

While the bristles aren’t as advanced as the one mentioned above and other Oral-B products, they still do the job by cleaning between the teeth and at the gum line. This is possible due to the bristles being soft and at varying lengths to create something of a wave-like pattern.

The handle is ergonomically shaped to offer an easy and comfortable grip.

This brush is unique because the bristles will change color when the brush is ready to be replaced. We all know that replacing your brush every 3 months is recommended, but knowing if you can wait longer or if it needs to be sooner is vital to get the optimal clean you desire.

Best Manual Toothbrush for Whitening Teeth

What to look for in a manual toothbrush - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

While some people are only looking for a manual brush that will clean their teeth, others are scouring the internet for the best manual brush on the market to help whiten their teeth.

Colgate 360 Advanced Optic White Toothbrush

Colgate 360 Advanced Optic White Toothbrush - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

Colgate has always been a tremendous manual brush to choose from at the store.

Much like Oral-B, Colgate 360 Advanced Optic White Toothbrush is a well-known brand with an even better reputation for being one of the best manual toothbrushes, and that goes for their Optic White toothbrush.

This toothbrush offers spiral-shaped bristles made for polishing the teeth. These bristles are made at different lengths and various densities.

The toothbrush has a floss tip that reaches far between the teeth to optimize the whitening power and get a deeper clean.

A highly texturized tongue cleaner on the back of the brush head aids in a great clean. The handle is also cushioned to allow for a better grip and offers an ergonomic thumb pad for added assistance and comfort.

Best Manual Toothbrush for Sensitive Gums

What to look for in a manual toothbrush - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

Finding the best manual toothbrush for sensitive teeth and gums is vital for those who suffer from dental sensitivity.

You spend 4 minutes of your day brushing your teeth, so you want to make sure you are not suffering each time.

The following is a list of three brushes that will work great for those looking to ease their sensitive gums.

1. Nimbus Extra Soft Toothbrush

Nimbus - Best Manual Toothbrush for Sensitive Teeth - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

The Nimbus Extra Soft toothbrush stands out as one of the softest toothbrushes available in the market. The bristles are made of micro-fine material for extra softness on sensitive gums.The brush has alternating short and long bristles for optimal cleaning.

It’s important that your manual toothbrush is gentle on your teeth while effectively removing plaque. This toothbrush is designed for comfort and durability.

2. Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft Toothbrush

Curaprox 5460 - Best Manual Toothbrush for Sensitive Teeth - Willow Pass Dental Care, Concord, CA

The Curaprox Toothbrush CS 5460 is designed by a Swedish company to cater to those with sensitive teeth and is also the best manual toothbrush for receding gums.

Compared to standard toothbrushes that have 500-2,500 bristles, this one has  5,460 bristle filaments with a 0.1mm thickness. These filaments are made with a material called curen, which is finer than the typical nylon material.

The brush head is small and compact, making it ideal for thorough teeth cleaning. For effective cleaning of each tooth, it’s recommended to use a brush with a small head.

The handle has an octagonal shape for easy gripping.

3. Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush

Dr. Collins Perio Toothbrush - Rated Best Manual Toothbrush for Sensitive Teeth - Willow Pass Dental Care, Concord, CA

Dr. Collin Perio Toothbrush features ultra-soft polyester bristles that effectively remove plaque and debris from between teeth.

The bristles on this brush are designed to cover more tooth surface area with their tapered shape and 50% longer length compared to standard nylon bristles.

The handle has an ergonomic shape with a grip for easy holding, even when wet.

Best Manual Toothbrush for Braces

What to look for in a manual toothbrush - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

Dealing with braces can be a challenging experience when it comes to orthodontic appliances. The brackets on a toothbrush can trap food and damage the bristles while cleaning. This is why dentists often recommend electric toothbrushes for those with braces or orthodontic appliances.

However, not everyone prefers electric toothbrushes, so we found a manual brush that is effective.

Y-Kelin V-Shaped Orthodontic Toothbrush

Y-Kelin V-Shaped Orthodontic Toothbrush Soft Bristle - Willow Pass Dental Care, Concord CA

The Y-Kelin V-Shaped Orthodontic Toothbrush has angled v-shaped bristles that are perfect for those with braces. This ensures that while brushing, the bristles won’t catch on the braces.

This brush has a smaller head for more control while cleaning each tooth.

When you purchase this brush, a small bristled brush is included to clean hard-to-reach areas of braces that may have trapped food.

Most Eco-friendly Manual Toothbrush

Toothbrushes and other plastic personal care items contribute to over 50 million pounds of annual landfill waste.

Finally, eco-friendly toothbrushes are becoming more and more popular. Because a manual toothbrush needs to be completely changed every three months, they often fill up landfills which can be catastrophic to the environment.

The two companies mentioned below have each worked to create a toothbrush that offers an eco-friendly option for those who are worried about the environment.

1. Nuduko Bamboo Toothbrush

Nuduko Bamboo Toothbrush - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

The Nuduko Bamboo Toothbrush is an eco-friendly option made entirely out of bamboo, including the box, which is biodegradable when disposed of.

The bristles are made of soft, BPA-free nylon, ensuring safe brushing.

The bristles on this brush are all one-layer and flat, which may not provide the best teeth cleaning possible.

2. Boie USA Toothbrush

Boie Toothbrushes

The Boie USA toothbrush is a more recent addition to the field of dentistry and has garnered attention for its unique features.

The brush has removable bristles made of soft thermoplastic elastomer. This means that you will only need to replace the brush head when necessary, instead of replacing the entire brush.

The heads of these items can be recycled, so there is no need to worry about them ending up in landfills.

This brush is available on a subscription basis and comes with six different replacement heads in bright colors. However, much like the Nuduko Bamboo Toothbrush, users feel that this one does not offer as great of a clean as other manual brushes due to the bristle design being short and all one length. Hopefully, in the future, these brands will upgrade bristles for an optimized clean, making dental care more eco-friendly and effective.

Brushing your teeth

As you can see, there are an array of different manual brush types that can meet the needs of anyone in any situation. There are toothbrushes specifically designed for denture wearers and children who want a more colorful and fun brushing experience. No matter what, a manual toothbrush is only as effective as the person using it.

To ensure proper oral hygiene, ensure you follow these steps when brushing your teeth:

  • Brush for a total of 2 minutes each time you brush. Watch the clock or set an alarm, but make sure you are using the full 2-minutes to get the most out of your session.
  • Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle. This is important because a bigger brush head can make it difficult to effectively brush the back of your teeth and reach those hard-to-get areas.
  • Always choose a brush with soft bristles no matter your situation to avoid any permanent damage to your teeth and your gums.

Finding the best manual toothbrush may not seem important, but it can be vital in optimizing and getting the most out of your dental care.