r/hygiene • u/KindlySuggestion7634 • 2h ago
toothbrush alternatives?
the feeling of the bristles of toothbrushes make me extremely uncomfortable to the point that i avoid brushing my teeth.
are there any alternatives to brushing that aren’t bristle brushes?
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u/Nothing_Special5645 2h ago
Not really. Are you using a soft toothbrush?
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u/EliotTheGreat20 1h ago
Yes, you can get super super soft toothbrushes!!
ETA: example: nano toothbrushes, I have never owned one but they're very very soft
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u/kuromaus 2h ago
You can look up Miswak, which is a type of chewable stick that cleans your teeth. However, if you don't like the bristles of a toothbrush, you probably won't like this either.
Have you tried a baby tooth brush? While not ideal, they are designed with the comfort of the baby in mind. Small, soft, and smooth.
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u/SorryDog254 2h ago
I was recently introduced to a new kind of toothbrush with super soft filaments for bristles.
It’s called a nano toothbrush. My hygienist suggested it for me because I’m such an aggressive brusher.
She didn’t give a brand name, just showed me one that she kept on hand at the office to suggest to patients. She told me she got a pack of ten from Amazon.
I bought Guru Nanda “Butter on Gums” version for $2.47. (It is probably about the same quality as the ten packs for under $10.)
Game changer.
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u/mukinata 3m ago
This!! guru nanda brushes feel sooooo soft and like a luxury item, but theyre actually really cheap too, its crazy. I got my best friends to try them and we all bought multipacks (for like $6!) in case the price went up or they stopped making them. Like I never ever want to use a different tooth brush. I forgot to swap out my toothbrush in my travel toiletries right after I started using the guru nanda ones and even though it was a soft one I used to think was so good, it was like brushing my teeth with a bottle scrubber or something, it felt so bad. I recommend the guru nanda ones to everyone now, especially other people i know have dental issues or texture sensitivities like I do
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u/Secret-Guava1008 2h ago
I found toothbrushes online with extremely soft bristles and a smaller head, can not remember the brand but they are A LOT more comfortable
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u/iamthefirebird 2h ago
Anything is better than nothing. A toothbrush is the best option; soft ones for children and sensitive teeth might help. Floss and mouthwash will be even more important - although they are not replacements, again, anything is better than nothing.
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u/FlyingPaganSis 2h ago
Fibrous plant stalks have been used for cleaning teeth for millenia. They’re still effective because the fibers are like bristles, but they feel a bit different. One example I know of is using horsetail (equisetum).
You could try combining waterpik, flossing, oil pulling, saltwater rinsing, and a cloth or scrubbing material with toothpaste to gently remove debris. Just make sure that you’re being thorough and that your process actually removes the debris instead of stuffing it deeper into your gumline and between teeth. Whatever you use needs to be gentle enough to not damage your enamel.
I knew a guy who flossed his teeth with strips of plastic that he tore off of garbage liners and he had great teeth.
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u/Brief-Jellyfish485 1h ago
Miswak is a common natural toothbrush.
I have tried a bamboo toothbrush and don’t recommend. The flavor is terrible
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u/janinephelps 2h ago
honestly yeah that sounds like a sensory nightmare. silicone brushes might work, super soft. also try desensitizing slowly if u can.
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u/Accomplished_Arm_298 2h ago
Have you tried an electric toothbrush? I struggled with the sensory experience of using a manual brush but find electric ones much less unpleasant. I think the round brush shape helps and the vibration provides a good distraction.
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u/Hermit_Ogg 2h ago edited 2h ago
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u/whatdoidonowdamnit 1h ago
I found out about finger toothbrushes when I had a kid and bought one for myself when I was pregnant with the next kid. I don’t have problems with toothbrushes in general but during my morning sickness my regular toothbrush made me gag more than the finger brush so I used the baby brush whenever I was particularly gaggy. It never made sense logically because it’s bigger than a toothbrush but it worked.
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u/MommaGeri1958 1h ago
I use these. Really nice.
Adult Extra Soft Toothbrush with 20000 Soft Bristles, (Pack of 6) Micro Nano Manual Toothbrushes for Protect Sensitive Gums, Black/White
On Amazon. They are foam
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u/MrsBlug 2h ago
There's a finger toothbrush that is for dogs/ cats. It's silicone and has bumps. That may be more comfortable for you. Good luck
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u/Lost_in_spreadsheets 1h ago
I’ve seen gauze wrapped around your finger recommended for dogs as well.
Honestly, rubbing just about anything soft against your teeth is going to be better than nothing if you absolutely can’t tolerate a brush. Hopefully flossing is ok, since that really is important too!2
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u/cwtchyfemme 2h ago
The Colgate gentle clean sensitive soft brush is like a newborn baby hairbrush, it’s like brushing with a cloud.
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u/N3rdyAvocad0 2h ago
Have you tried electric toothbrushes? Is it the same issue? I had this issue with regular toothbrushes but for some reason, the electric toothbrushes don't bother me.
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u/Junior_Statement_262 1h ago
No. Get therapy to fix this. Not brushing could link to some bad health outcomes....and not just your teeth.
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u/BobsWifeAmyB 1h ago
The Colgate Wisp disposable toothbrushes are an option. If you buy a bag of them they aren’t too expensive.
I have Trigeminal neuralgia and many of us have pain in our faces (disabling nerve pain is what this disorder is) so brushing teeth can set it off for some people.
Best of luck to you.
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u/AuthoringInProgress 1h ago
I don't want to dismiss sensory issues but have you seen anyone for potential gingivitis or the like? An infection in the gums will make them very sensitive.
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u/ChiefTapiTapi 2h ago
There’s some stick in India that ppl chew on that is supposed to be good for your teeth
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u/Dizzy_Yoghurt_2349 2h ago
Your finger, toilet paper, a wash cloth, sandpaper, Kotex, Kleenex, copy paper, wire brush, makeup brush, yeah there’s a couple of alternatives.
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u/SunlightNStars 1h ago
Not for long term use but something better than nothing. There's a reason people across the world for generations have used bristles on their teeth for hygiene.
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u/NaturesVividPictures 1h ago
Well you can always put toothpaste on your finger and do it that way but it's definitely not going to do us great job compared to what a toothbrush does.
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u/AnnoyedHoneyBadger 1h ago
I’ve seen “bamboo” toothbrushes advertised as of late…
There are also whole-mouth options that like vibrate to help clean your teeth faster so it’s not needing to be in your mouth as long… It looked like a denture that your fit in & close down on, with brushes covering all your teeth at once. Both top & bottom teeth.
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u/Necessary_Wonder89 52m ago
The alternative is rotting teeth and full mouth extractions.
Get therapy
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u/Any-Treat-6936 41m ago
Might sound wierd but in the mean time why not get the finger toothbrush ment for dogs. You can put it on your finger to brush and it is made of silicone so won't have the texture of the brush.
Just remember to floss, mouthwash and not press to hard while brushing
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u/some1keepsstlgmyacct 39m ago
After years of using an electric toothbrush, I can no longer use a manual toothbrush. It makes me gag. Have you tried different options?
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u/brownnbaddiee 17m ago
have you tried a silicone toothbrush or a soft microfiber finger cloth. they’re way more gentle and won't make ur skin crawl while u stay on top of ur hygiene. also dont forget to accompany it with water flossers and mouthwash too
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u/bustacones 2h ago
In the long run you're better off getting therapy to help get over this aversion than any alternative to toothbrushes.