The best manual toothbrushes in the UK 2023

The manual toothbrush is a classic accessory for taking care of your dental hygiene. It is used to remove all traces of food between the teeth, while allowing to eliminate tartar on the teeth. But it is difficult to choose with the great diversity of the offer. To help you, read our buying guide on the best manual toothbrushes of the moment.

Signal Manual Toothbrush Bamboo 100% Natural 1
8/10

Best value for money

Signal Manual Toothbrush Bamboo 100% Natural

The best manual toothbrush in 2021

Here is a manual toothbrush intended for the environmentalists. It is made by Signal, a brand known for its quality and experience in the dental sector.

3,06 £ on Amazon

The manual toothbrush in Bamboo of the brand Signal is an accessory of oral hygiene as practical as effective. Equipped with a handle out of wooden of bamboo, it is heightened by extra-soft hairs tapered of a thickness of 0.01 mm to optimize brushing gently and in all comfort. Its filaments provide both efficiency and precision in the smallest corners of the mouth. Intended for adults, its bristles have a soft to medium firmness to better adapt to the health of the gums and teeth while taking care of them.

To enjoy the benefits of this eco-friendly accessory, it should be kept in a clean, dry place in an upright position after each use. This toothbrush of completely natural origin takes care of the health of your teeth and your mouth, while respecting the environment.

4 Piece Folding Travel Toothbrush Boao 2
7/10

Best value for money

4 Piece Folding Travel Toothbrush Boao

The best cheap manual toothbrush

Boao has made a 4-piece foldable travel toothbrush set for you. Thus, the whole family can enjoy this kit to take care of their teeth gently and comfortably.

10,07 £ on Amazon

The 4-piece travel toothbrush kit from Boao brand has four different colors to better identify its accessory on the go. It includes four brushes including pink, yellow, blue and green for the whole family. The soft bristles of this set allow to take care of the sensitive gums, while eliminating all the bacteria in the mouth, on and between the teeth. The size of 24.5 x 13.2 x 2 centimeters allows to optimize the storage in the bag or the toilet bag.

This kit of Boao is provided with a handle and plastic bristles. It is intended for adults, and its soft bristles take care of the gums without irritating them. Besides, being foldable, each toothbrush is also protected from dirt when moving. Its ergonomic design also allows for a comfortable grip, while ensuring a pleasant brushing experience. Even better, the material of these brushes gives a certain durability to this oral hygiene accessory.

Colgate Toothbrush 360° with activated carbon medium 3
7/10

Best premium value for kids

Colgate Toothbrush 360° with activated carbon medium

The best premium manual toothbrush

Colgate is the brand that adapts to the evolution of technology. In this case, its new flagship product is a medium activated carbon 360° toothbrush.

6,54 £ on Amazon

Colgate's new 360° toothbrush features medium activated carbon technology. This adult accessory is made with a plastic handle. It has micro-fine bristles to thoroughly clean the gum line and interdental spaces. These medium firm bristles are excellent for whitening teeth, removing food residue between them, while cleaning all parts of the oral cavity.

Colgate's activated charcoal toothbrush provides twice the cleaning depth compared to a flat-bristled manual toothbrush. Its medium-hard bristles help remove all bacteria in the mouth and between the teeth, and provide a gentle scraper for the cheeks and tongue, while also removing plaque.

ZALUJMUS U-Shaped Toothbrush 4
9/10

ZALUJMUS U-Shaped Toothbrush

The best manual toothbrush for kids

The ZALUJMUS brand continues to take care of the health of children. The U-shaped toothbrush, specially designed for children from 6 to 12 years old, is a good example.

7,99 £ on Amazon

The U-shaped toothbrush kit from ZALUJMUS brand is designed with quality materials that meet hygiene standards. For example, the head of the U-shaped toothbrush for children is made of food-grade silicone bristles. Therefore, it does not contain any toxic product for the health of children. This child-safe brush is made with traditional craftsmanship and is a durable product.

Composed of 2 manual U-shaped toothbrushes, 1 blue and 1 pink, this set fits all children's teeth without risk of hurting their sensitive little mouths. This kit has been specially designed to clean the child's teeth at 360° so that baby has healthy gums and teeth, giving freshness and health to the mouth. These toothbrushes are both portable and compact, so they can be used on the spot or on the go, and also to introduce the child to oral hygiene.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best manual toothbrush

Any specific needs?

The best manual toothbrush in 2021

The best cheap manual toothbrush

The best premium manual toothbrush

The best manual toothbrush for kids

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best manual toothbrushes

Editor's Choice Inexpensive Toothbrush U-shaped
Signal Manual Toothbrush Bamboo 100% Natural 5
8/10
4 Piece Folding Travel Toothbrush Boao 6
7/10
Colgate Toothbrush 360° with activated carbon medium 7
7/10
ZALUJMUS U-Shaped Toothbrush 8
9/10
OUR SELECTION
Signal Manual Toothbrush Bamboo 100% Natural
4 Piece Folding Travel Toothbrush Boao
Colgate Toothbrush 360° with activated carbon medium
ZALUJMUS U-Shaped Toothbrush
Here is a manual toothbrush intended for the environmentalists. It is made by Signal, a brand known for its quality and experience in the dental sector.
Boao has made a 4-piece foldable travel toothbrush set for you. Thus, the whole family can enjoy this kit to take care of their teeth gently and comfortably.
Colgate is the brand that adapts to the evolution of technology. In this case, its new flagship product is a medium activated carbon 360° toothbrush.
The ZALUJMUS brand continues to take care of the health of children. The U-shaped toothbrush, specially designed for children from 6 to 12 years old, is a good example.
Age range
Adult
Adult
Adult
Children
Flexibility
Handle material
Bamboo
Plastic
Plastic
Plastic
Hair info
Flexible bristles, gentle on teeth and gums
Soft Pockets
Medium-hard, micro-fine bristles clean deep between teeth and gum line
Silicone bristle massage erasers, full 360° cleaning
Specifics
Fine 0.01 mm filaments (Effective and precise)
For Travel (Portable and Foldable)
Activated charcoal (Whitens teeth)
In U for children (6 to 12 years)

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Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - manual toothbrush

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How to choose your manual toothbrush

In order to benefit from the advantages of a manual toothbrush, it is necessary to determine the most appropriate selection criteria.

#1 - The size of the toothbrush

First of all, the size of the manual toothbrush must be adapted to your mouth. Here, the size will rather refer to the size of the head.

Indeed, it would be difficult to use a large toothbrush, as the head of the brush must be able to access the hard-to-reach areas on the back teeth. Usually, using a toothbrush with a small size will be better, even adults, as it will allow you to reach all the nooks and crannies of your mouth.

#2 - The hardness of the bristles

The most important criterion when buying a toothbrush is the hardness of the bristles. This has a direct influence on the gums and enamel. On the market you have 3 types: soft, medium and hard.

  • The soft bristle toothbrush is the one that everyone can use: children and adults. It takes care of sensitive gums and cleans teeth without damaging them.
  • The medium bristle toothbrush is more for adults. Its use does not require much force to dislodge plaque and dirt.
  • The hard bristle toothbrush is the most effective of all, but also the one that is most likely to attack your teeth and gums. Indeed, during brushing, the hard bristles put pressure on the top of the tooth and if your brushing is vigorous the tooth will quickly become sensitive. If you want to use it, ask your dentist or pharmacist for advice.

The shape of the bristles

The bristles of a toothbrush are either straight or tapered. The straight bristles are more likely to get between the teeth to remove all food residues. Tapered bristles are better at removing plaque that accumulates on the teeth, thanks to their fine tips and soft, effective bristles.

#3 - A comfortable handle

When possible, choose a manual toothbrush with a comfortable handle. Indeed, when brushing, it happens that the hands are wet, and the brush slips easily. Therefore, with the many models available, it is possible to find brushes with non-slip handles.

#4 - The respect of the environment

In some cases, environmentalists have a preference for the range of ecological manual toothbrushes. Indeed, the ecological cause is now a point sought by users. Currently, large groups like Colgate or Signal offer toothbrushes with a handle made from natural elements: bamboo. Their price does not differ from classic models, it is a matter of personal choice.

#5 - The whitening effect

Manual toothbrushes have followed the trend of whitening toothpastes. You can easily find models with activated carbon bristles. This material has the ability to naturally whiten teeth without the use of more sophisticated devices. This whitening effect is available on ecological and classic toothbrushes.

What happens if I don't brush my teeth every day?

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Taking care of your teeth means giving them regular brushing on a daily basis, and at least twice a day, after meals. This ensures good oral health, while preventing cavities, tartar and other gum disease. This results from the fact that without brushing, bacteria accumulate in the mouth, and can generate diseases in the organs, but especially also in the mouth itself.

If you don't brush your teeth regularly, the risk of cardiac arrest is also high. Effectively, brushing your teeth removes oral bacteria, which without brushing can enter the bloodstream and become part of the heart. From there, they can take place on the atheromatous plaques, to increase the risk of cardiovascular accident.

Not brushing your teeth can generate joint pain. This is also a result of bacteria passing through the bloodstream to land in the joints. People with periodontal disease can, as a result, get rheumatoid arthritis. Indeed, the synthesis of the enzyme leads to the transformation of arginine into citrulline, and this is a molecule favorable to the manufacture of antibodies representing symptoms of this pathology.

For pregnant women, not brushing their teeth is a fundamental mistake that can cost her baby's health. Indeed, it contributes to premature delivery, as well as low birth weight of the baby. The complications of pregnancy being of infectious source, bacteria can be added to it in case of not brushing the teeth, and hormonal changes that increase this risk.

The different types of manual toothbrushes

Folding travel toothbrushes

The folding toothbrush is an accessory dedicated to travel. It is also suitable for travelling, trekking or camping. With a folding toothbrush, you save space in your toilet bag or in your bag to ensure hygiene wherever you go. The shape of this accessory allows you to travel light without overloading your luggage, whether you go camping or hiking. Most of the time, the models are equipped with an articulated handle allowing a folding so as to save space in a bag.

Although convenient when traveling, the manual travel toothbrush in its foldable form has a shorter life span than traditional accessories. This is due to the fact that the joint can get damaged quickly from being used several times a day while traveling.

Eco-friendly toothbrushes

A conventional toothbrush is often made of plastic. But since today's era is all about protecting nature, an eco-friendly option has emerged. It is an eco-friendly manual toothbrush made from bamboo. It is the most ecological alternative of the moment for the greatest pleasure of the followers of the "Green Attitude".

This accessory is even more ecological, since bamboo is a plant with a low impact on the environment. It grows easily, and its velocity contributes to limit its ecological footprint. Thanks to its tentacular roots, bamboo also prevents soil erosion while fighting against the greenhouse effect by producing more oxygen to absorb this gas.

Therefore, by using a bamboo toothbrush, you favor the limitation of bacteria proliferation via the handle which has a bacteriostatic property. Better yet, it is non-toxic, while being biodegradable.

Classic toothbrush

The classic toothbrush is versatile, as it suits all uses. The least expensive of all, it will allow you to do a daily brushing. Coming in different sizes, it is usually made of plastic strong enough not to break under your grip.

However, its use requires some practice. If you are not in shape or if you do a bad brushing, residues will remain stuck.

Manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush

Manual toothbrush

The manual toothbrush has the advantage of being accessible and usable everywhere. Indeed, it is less expensive to buy, and besides that, it does not risk running out of battery. This model also benefits from a multitude of formats adapted to the needs of children and adults. Otherwise, it comes in different formats, with or without tongue scraper.

However, its use requires a good method of brushing to be effective, insofar as it is necessary to make circular movements of the gum towards the tooth. In short, it works with elbow grease, while presenting some risks of not eliminating the bad bacteria in case of bad technique.

Electric toothbrush

The electric toothbrush is a practical and effective accessory. This is because its small size allows it to reach the less accessible corners of the mouth. The cleaning is precise and does not require any pressure from you, as the rotation of the head does the work.

However, this device is much more expensive than the manual model. Its price may slow down some people and make them question its effectiveness. And, it requires the use of well-charged batteries to operate at 100%.

Verdict

In case of specific use, especially for adults, the use of an electric toothbrush can be preferred to take better care of its oral hygiene. Otherwise, the manual toothbrush is a practical tool that can be used anywhere, without the need for other energy sources.

Why buy a manual toothbrush?

An affordable oral hygiene accessory

Oral hygiene is a very important thing that children are taught from an early age. Several diseases can appear if we do not brush our teeth regularly, like cavities, and in the right way. With this in mind, manufacturers are developing manual toothbrushes while selling them at very affordable prices. You can find a model from 1 euro.

A more practical accessory

In the same way, the manual toothbrush makes it possible to adapt the brushing according to the devices carried, the possible dental health problems and the fillings. Moreover, in case of toothache, it is possible to adjust the pressure while waiting for the consultation with the dentist.

An accessory to better control the pressure

By choosing a manual toothbrush, you have better control over the pressure on your gums. Indeed, this pressure can attack the enamel of the teeth, hence the need not to press too much to avoid damaging instead of healing.

The manual toothbrush to introduce children to proper brushing

The manual toothbrush is an essential tool for teaching children to brush their teeth as soon as their first teeth appear. It's the best way to introduce children to brushing while having fun. Thus, by adopting these good habits, they also learn to take care of their oral hygiene.

An economical accessory

Financially speaking, the manual toothbrush is a money-saving accessory. Not only does it cost less to buy, but it also costs less to use, since it doesn't require an electric charge or batteries to operate.

In this case, besides saving money, it also saves space when travelling. It is light and easy to store, even in a pocket.

The best brands of manual toothbrushes

In our opinion, the best brands of manual toothbrushes in 2022 are :

COLGATE
Boao
SEGMINISMART
Oral-B
Signal

Colgate is a well-known brand in the manufacture of toothbrushes and toothpaste. It favors specific models that allow users to have fresh breath. The brand offers product lines for adults and children to give everyone the desire to brush their teeth. Colgate represents a pioneering brand in the oral hygiene industry.

Boao is a Chinese brand focusing on the production of foldable travel toothbrushes. Its items benefit from a certain practicality, with an ergonomic design offering a more comfortable grip. The brand prioritizes quality by offering a sturdy and durable toothbrush with medium bristles for a pleasant brushing experience.

Segminismart is a reputable brand in the manufacturing of oral care items. It offers a range of manual toothbrushes for adults, with firm and soft bristles to confer optimal comfort in use. The brand also offers dental hygiene travel kits, including toothbrush, as well as toothpaste.

Oral-B is a well-known brand in the world of oral hygiene. It offers various ranges for all categories of users, including manual and electric toothbrush collections. It also has, in addition to toothbrushes other useful products to take care of its oral health.

Signal is also a leading brand in the oral care sector. It offers a range of toothbrushes for children and adults, with bristles adapted to all types of care (hard bristles for dental plaque, soft bristles for sensitive gums, soft strips and bristles to remove surface stains).

What is the price for a manual toothbrush

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
3 £ to 5 £
Mid-range
5 £ to 7 £
High-end
more than 7 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Focus on periodic maintenance of the accessory for better oral health

In order to maintain good oral hygiene, you should maintain your manual toothbrush regularly. To do this, the entire brush should be rinsed with warm water at least once a week before air-drying it vertically. Disinfection may also be necessary every week, especially for the handle.

Initiate brushing at an early age

In order to have an optimal oral health, it is advisable to initiate the child from a young age to brushing teeth with a manual toothbrush. Over time, the habit will become a routine, especially when the method is well assimilated. This will allow an efficient and stress-free brushing.

Learn the best method for brushing teeth

Brushing teeth is not enough, it is still necessary to adopt the proper technique. To do this, it is important to do it at least twice a day, with a duration of 2 minutes. Brushing should be done separately for the upper and lower teeth. The internal and external part, as well as the chewing surfaces must be well brushed. Brushing starts from the gums to the gums, then the teeth, with circular movements.

Change your child's toothbrush regularly

The good toothbrush must have straight bristles, hence the need to change its brush about every three months. The bristles should be neither too soft nor too stiff. The handle should be ergonomic for a better grip, especially for children.

Use a whitening toothpaste

No need to buy an LED light teeth whitening device if you use a manual toothbrush and whitening toothpaste. Their flagship ingredient is activated charcoal. This component has the property of whitening teeth by cleaning plaque deeply.

FAQ

How to clean a manual toothbrush?

A manual toothbrush must be cleaned properly after each brushing. To do this, you need to rinse it for several seconds under the tap with warm water. Then, the entire accessory, from the head to the handle, must be blotted with absorbent paper to eliminate all traces of moisture. Finally, for storage, the brush should be put in a glass in the open air, with the head up.

What size toothbrush should I use?

It is advisable to choose the size of a manual toothbrush adapted to that of its mouth, that is to say fine head for a small mouth. To better choose the size and optimize the efficiency of brushing, it is necessary to think of making pass the head of the toothbrush easily from canine to canine horizontally.

When should you change your toothbrush?

The toothbrush is an accessory of hygiene of first need. Used daily, it is advisable to think of replacing it regularly to avoid health problems in general, and oral pathologies in particular. Therefore, the average life span of a manual toothbrush is 3 months.

Are there brushes for certain situations?

The toothbrush adapts to all situations. Thus, it is possible to find an accessory dedicated especially to those who have periodontitis or tooth decay. Otherwise, there is also a toothbrush with soft bristles for people with sensitive gums. These accessories bring more comfort to the use.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. The manual toothbrush and its use, centre-dentaire-des-tilleuls.com
  2. Manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush : which one to choose?, santemagazine.fr
  3. Manual toothbrushes, easyparapharmacie.com
  4. Manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush?, dr-normand-eric.chirurgiens-dentistes.fr
  5. Brushing technique : Manual toothbrush, centredentaireparadis.com
  6. What are the different types of toothbrushes?, lecourrierdudentiste.com
  7. Brushing techniques, docteur-sabattie-roussillon-jocelyne.chirurgiens-dentistes.fr
  8. How to brush your teeth properly?, ameli.fr
  9. 8 mistakes in dental hygiene, centredentairetouchette.com
  10. Is the time to brush your teeth 3 minutes?, bigmoustache.com
  11. How to choose a toothbrush?, oral-b.co.in
  12. How to choose the right toothbrush?, colgate.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Signal Manual Toothbrush Bamboo 100% Natural 9
Signal Manual Toothbrush Bamboo 100% Natural
4 Piece Folding Travel Toothbrush Boao 10
4 Piece Folding Travel Toothbrush Boao
Colgate Toothbrush 360° with activated carbon medium 11
Colgate Toothbrush 360° with activated carbon medium
ZALUJMUS U-Shaped Toothbrush 12
ZALUJMUS U-Shaped Toothbrush

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