Best Manual Toothbrush 2025 - Reviews & Buyer's Guide

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Approximate price per brush head

$5 to $7 for the handle, then $4 to $5 for replacement heads

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Why we chose it

This toothbrush has a number of good environmentally friendly aspects, including the recycled material handle, bio-based bristles and the replaceable head. I have selected it because it is one of the most eco-friendly toothbrushes as well as the best option for people looking for brushes with replaceable toothbrush heads.

The handle is made of recycled materials and you can choose from a few different options such as hemp or wood. The handle itself is also “reversible” and can be used by left-handed or right-handed people.

The bristles are made from bio-based nylon rather than conventional plastics. The larger than average heads from Radius are used as a selling point, with them saying you only need to replace the brush head every nine months, although I would recommend keeping this to every 3 months due to bacteria build up.

The detachable heads need to be recycled with a specialist system such as TerraCycle, but this is less waste than disposing of a whole toothbrush every 3 months. 

Although the brush can be a bit more costly, the replaceable heads are affordable and come in a range of sizes and shapes. Although it seems expensive, at the moment it is about the going rate for a replaceable head toothbrush and the heads work out about the same cost as a regular manual toothbrush.

During testing I found the large handle very easy to use, which could be especially helpful if you have any mobility problems. This good grip should also help get the right technique. 

The large handle can make the whole head feel bulky, which can take some getting used to. It could be uncomfortable for some people, such as those with smaller mouths or a pronounced gag reflex.

Overall, I liked the brushing experience with this brush. The handle had a good grip, much better than average, and I liked the feel of the larger heads covering more tooth surface.

What we like

Worth noting

Bristles make more of a difference than handle design

The bristles on different toothbrushes can be very different. From the colour to the way they are cut, and the angles to the orientation.

In many ways this is the only real way that a toothbrush can change how well it cleans.

Each manufacturer will have developed the brush head differently to try to achieve a great clean and help them stand out from the crowd.

For most people, the bristles make more of a difference than the handle design.

These differences include:

• Bristle material
• Length of bristles - which also affects hardness of the toothbrush. Some brushes will have bristles of different lengths (or heights).
• Bristle angles and orientations
• How the tip of each individual bristle is cut, for example tapered or rounded.
• Stiffness/firmness/hardness
• Angles and orientation
• Colour - a purely aesthetic difference that doesn’t affect cleaning ability.

Some brush heads claim to have specific benefits.

There is no evidence to support claims that toothbrushes can whiten the teeth.

Toothbrushes do have a role to play in stain removal, but they cannot change the colour of the teeth.

Overall, evidence is conflicting about whether or not bristle design can help remove more plaque.

Effective plaque removal is key to supporting gum health. Technique is more important than the exact toothbrush you choose.

A quick look at the materials that bristles are made from

The most common bristle material is nylon (polyamide / PA6), and polyesters are another plastic option. These two different types of plastic are made from fossil fuel based oil. Newer types of nylon or polyester can be made from bio-based plastic. This means the base material is plant based rather than oil based, which is more environmentally friendly.

Traditionally, toothbrush bristles were made with animal hair, such as those from a boar or even a horse. Some "natural" brushes and those that promote themselves as fully biodegradable still use them.

Animal hair toothbrush bristles can harbour more bacteria than nylon due to the natural structure containing a hollow canal. Processing boar hair is also very difficult, and it is not always possible to get a rounded tip which will not damage the gums during brushing (Fattal et al).

Other non-plastic bristles include plant fibres such as miswak. Whilst these are compostable, they are ineffective at cleaning as they wear quickly.

Silicone and rubber bristled toothbrushes are becoming more common. A small number of toothbrushes have bristles made from thermoplastic elastomer, TPE. They are advertised as lasting longer and causing less tooth wear. There is no evidence to suggest they are less effective at cleaning.

The type of material affects how you can recycle the toothbrush. Animal hair can be composted, whilst other materials require specialist recycling.

I would recommend the use of a plastic type of bristle over natural fibres. The available evidence does not support one type of plastic material over another for effectiveness when cleaning, so the material is largely personal choice.

Bristles can also come infused with silver, which are advertised as antibacterial, or charcoal, which are advertised as whitening. There is some evidence to support silver embedded toothbrush bristles as having less build up of material. There have been no studies to support the idea that charcoal bristles whiten the teeth.

Advice on choosing the right bristle firmness

One of the biggest decisions when choosing a toothbrush is how hard the bristles are.

Bristles are available as soft, medium or hard (firm).

The firmness, or hardness, of the toothbrush is affected by bristle material, bristle diameter and bristle length. The number of bristles and tufts will also affect how firm the toothbrush is.

Each brush head has hundreds or thousands of individual bristles in them. The bristles are grouped together into ‘tufts’ of about 20-40.

A brush head will be made up of a number of tufts. These can vary in shape, size and density to change the way the toothbrush cleans your teeth.

Bristle firmness is to some degree personal preference, but evidence has shown that whilst medium bristle brushes are more effective at plaque removal than softer brushes, they can  be damaging to the gums to a level that is clinically significant.  

This damage includes reversible trauma to the gums. Another risk is wear of the tooth surface at the gum level.

Soft bristles are effective enough at plaque removal. These are safer on the gums but there is some evidence that they can cause more tooth wear than a medium stiffness.

Firm or hard bristled toothbrushes are not as easy to buy as they once were. They are the best for  plaque removal, but are harmful to the gums and tooth surface. This is because of the extra (unnecessary) force applied when brushing along with the stiffer and more robust bristle can cut into and wear away the delicate gum tissues. This does lasting damage over the long term.

Most dentists will advise using a medium or soft bristle toothbrush . If you have tooth wear, avoid a soft toothbrush and opt for medium instead. 

Really the take home message is that the technique is more important than the bristle firmness for plaque removal and protection against tooth wear.

How bristle cut, shape & pattern can vary

The bristles on a brush head can be cut and shaped differently at the tip.

When a toothbrush is made the bristles get cut to the length of the manufacturer's choosing. As they are cut by the sharp blade, the tips of the bristles can be uneven and sharp.

These sharper tips can aggravate gums and even cause abrasion on the tooth surface. This is more likely for brushes that have not been through a blunting process.

The blunting (or polishing) process is one where the tips of the bristles are rounded off to create a softer and less damaging brushing experience.

Seeing this rounded bristle tip with the human eye can be difficult, but is clearly seen under a microscope.

Some brands actively promote this rounding of the bristles as a feature of their brush. It is typically the cheaper brushes that do not go through this blunting process.

Another option is the bristle length.

The overall length of the bristles can affect the hardness or firmness of the toothbrush. Some brush heads have bristles all the same length whilst others are differing lengths.

The tufts of bristles can be arranged into a pattern, such as wavy, concave, or even a criss-cross bristle formation. Some brushes also offer a polishing cup design built into them.

Having different bristle heights can improve the cleaning ability of the toothbrush. 

The principle is that the varying lengths, angles and arrangement can reach different areas of the teeth and gums. Longer bristles are often at the top and bottom of the brush head, in an attempt to reach in between the teeth, with shorter bristles in the centre brushing the tooth surface.

Clear evidence is lacking to clearly say what is 'best'. Some studies report that the tuft arrangement does play a role and that those with bristles of varying length and angle are better, whilst other studies advise that individual technique is more important than bristle arrangement.

The newer breed of silicone and rubber bristles also vary in their cut and configuration.  There isn’t as much variety as there is with nylon or polyester bristles, but given the smaller number of these types of bristled brushes, there is limited study into which is the 'best' configuration.

How indicator bristles work

Indicator bristles are commonly seen on electric toothbrush heads. Few manual toothbrushes have these types of bristle.

Indicator bristles are dyed in a specific way so that the dye fades out with use and acts as a visual indicator of the remaining life of that head.

The most common colour is light blue, so the bristles fade to a pale, almost white, colour. This change in colour normally means you need to replace the brush head.

Replace your brush every 3 months

It is recommended that you replace your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months.

This is because over this time the toothbrush bristles become damaged and are not as effective. There is also a build up of bacteria so using a brush for any longer becomes unhygienic.

After 3 months of use, the brush will have spent 6 hours inside your mouth, passing over the teeth and gums.

With every pass the tips of the bristles are worn down. When they are no longer in optimum condition they are not as good at removing plaque. 

It is easy to brush too hard by placing too much pressure on your toothbrush.  This accelerates the wear on the bristles, and causes them to split and fray.  The tips become damaged and irritate the gums. 

Replacing the brush head limits the potential damage that the bristles can do as well as making sure you are always using a brush that actually works.

Another factor that drives the 3 month replacement cycle is bacteria build up.

There are over 600 different types of bacteria in a healthy human mouth.  Most are harmless, but some can stick to toothbrush bristles and cause infections in the gums.

Studies by Raiyani et al and Karibasappa et al looked at the numbers of bacteria on used toothbrushes.

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The bacteria and fungi found can cause dental diseases, as well as urinary tract infections and diarrhea amongst other conditions. 

There is more contamination at 3 months than after 1 month, with bacteria being found in clumps rather than as individuals as time progresses.

This is why it is recommended brushes are replaced every 3-4 months, even if bristles do not appear worn.

If you opt for the silicone or rubber bristle brushes, subject to the brand, the manufacturers say the heads can last from 3-12 months. 

They claim the materials are more resistant to bacteria growth, and are made with silver particles built into the head to help resist and kill bacteria that may reside in the head.

This is why they claim a 3 month brush head replacement is less necessary, although I haven’t seen any independent research to verify this.

Did you know that gum health and hygiene studies show Interdental brushes to be more effective than dental floss in removing plaque and improving gingival health?

These special tools are specially designed to clean between teeth and reach other areas that a regular toothbrush can’t.

Read on to discover:

• The best interdental brushes
• Choosing the best size for you
• How to use them

The best interdental brushes in the UK

So, now you know how to use interdental brushes, but which is the best brand and type for you? Below we cover some of the biggest brands in the UK, as well as some lesser-known ones which offer different features.

TePe interdental brushes

Swedish company TePe is one of the leading names in the specialist toothbrush market. Their wide range of interdental and interspace toothbrushes should suit pretty much every need, whether it’s cleaning a tiny gap between teeth or larger spaces around implants.

TePe’s regular interproximal brushes come in nine sizes and they also have extra-soft versions in six sizes (0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 1.1mm). The four smallest sizes (from 0.4 to 0.6mm) have a flexible neck which provides extra durability.

Tepe Angle interdental brushes have a longer handle, more like a regular toothbrush, with an angled head which is designed to reach in between teeth at the back of the mouth. 

You can buy TePe interdental brushes in most high-street chemists, larger supermarkets, and many dental practices. However, you might find the cheapest TePe interdental brushes on Amazon, where you can save by buying in bulk. The pink interdental brushes (pictured) are the smallest available from TePe, but you can browse the full range of sizes by clicking below or select a mixed pack to try out different sizes.

TePe brushes are manufactured to high ISO standards, but one big downside to them is the amount of plastic waste, since no parts of their brushes are re-usable.

Wisdom interdental brushes

Wisdom interdental brush sizes are not as extensive as some other brands; their basic ‘Daily Use’ brush has only two sizes (0.45 and 0.7mm), and their ‘Pro Flex’ brush with a flexible neck comes in four sizes (0.45, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8mm).

Wisdom also make a range of ‘Clean Between’ rubber interdental brushes. The soft rubber filaments are gentle on gums and safe for use around implants, metal fillings and crowns, and braces. They come in three sizes: fine (blue), medium (green) and large (purple). 

Wisdom Clean Between interdental brushes are some of the cheapest available, but judging by user reviews, the low price is reflected in the quality. Some people say they need to use two or three brushes just to get around all their teeth once. So, although they are cheap, they may cost just as much overall as a more expensive brush that lasts a couple of weeks. They are also probably not the right choice if you are environmentally-minded.

Truthbrush interdental brushes

Looking for an environmentally responsible way to clean between your teeth? These specially designed interdental brushes by Truthbrush are carefully made from sustainably sourced bamboo and finished with plant oil for a smooth feel and water resistance.

The ergonomic handle and super soft bristles are perfect for cleaning between teeth. These interdental come in two different sizes, 0.4mm and 0.5mm, and you can buy them in packs of five or bulk buy 20 packs of five.

Truthbrush also offers a subscription service at a discounted price, so you can have new interdental brushes delivered periodically.

Prices are slightly higher than most plastic brushes, as is often the case with environmentally-friendly alternatives, but they are not prohibitively expensive.

Check out our eco toothbrush guide for more bamboo toothbrush options.

CURAPROX interdental brushes

Swiss company CURAPROX brings a more eco-friendly interdental brush to the market. CURAPROX interdental brushes have reusable handles with heads that click into place – a bit like an electric toothbrush. Their CPS Prime brushes have a patented design which makes them ultra fine yet very durable. CURAPROX say that you only need to use a single cleaning movement with their brushes: once in and once out.

Although they are not the cheapest interdental brushes around, the fact you don’t need to use a repeated scrubbing motion means they should last longer – so they may still work out as cost-effective as other brands in the long run.

CURAPROX have a range of straight and angled brushes, as well as special heads for patients with implants, periodontitis, and other particular needs. You can view the full range on Amazon, or get started with this pocket set which contains a long handle and four different sizes of brush head, as well as a handy storage case.

Stoddard ICON interdental brushes

Stoddard interdental brushes are designed and manufactured in the UK. They use a high tensile strength wire to enhance durability, and the protective cap doubles up as an extension to the handle.

The ICON interdental brushes from Stoddard come in a full range of eight sizes, including a white 0.35mm brush which is the smallest of all those we’ve featured here. If you find that other brands of brush are too large to fit between your teeth, this could be worth a try. 

Stoddard brushes are used by many dentists in the UK, so you could also check at your local dental surgery to see if they are available to buy there.

How to use interdental brushes

Once you have selected the correct size brush for the gaps in your teeth, it can take some time to get used to interdental brushing. It might help to stand in front of a mirror at first, until you can do it without looking.

Here are the steps for how to use an interdental brush:

1. Make sure you’re using the correct size of brush for each gap.
2. Gently press the brush into the space between two teeth, along the gum. Twisting the brush slightly as you insert it can make insertion easier and also extend the life of the brush.
3. Brush backwards and forwards several times (unless your dentist instructs you to brush more or you are using a brush which only requires one stroke).
4. Carefully remove the brush and move onto the next gap. Change interdental brush sizes as you move around your mouth to ensure you’re using the right size.

If your brush wire breaks or some bristles come loose while you’re using it, discard it and continue with a brand new one.

You can see a practical demonstration of this technique in the following video:

Cleaning between the teeth at the front of the mouth should be quite easy with a regular straight interdental brush. The gaps towards the back of the mouth can be harder to reach, though. There are a few ways you can make access to back teeth easier:

• Try inserting the brush from the inside (next to the tongue or the roof of the mouth) rather than the outside
• Curve the wire slightly around your finger
• Bend the wire at an angle (use a brush with a flexible head to reduce the likelihood of the wire breaking)
• Choose a long-handled interdental brush with an angled head, like the TePe Angle Interdental Brush.

You should use your interdental brush to clean between teeth in this way once a day, while still brushing in the normal way twice a day. See our teeth-brushing guide for more about how to brush your teeth properly.

The best time to clean between your teeth is in the evening. This way, you know that there is no food left between your teeth while you sleep (a common cause of bad morning breath). However, if the morning suits you better, the important thing is that you’re doing it at least once a day.

Should you use interdental brushes before or after brushing?

The Oral Health Foundation recommends interdental cleaning before brushing, based on research which found that doing it this way around removed more plaque overall. Other bodies say that brushing teeth first is just as effective.

Can you reuse interdental brushes?

Yes, absolutely. You only need to change your interdental brush when the bristles start to show signs of wear or the wire gives way. Each brush might last 1-2 weeks or more, depending on how much you use it. Certain manufacturers market their brushes as having better durability, so you might want to try a few and see which lasts longest for you.

If you don’t like the idea of throwing away plastic brushes so often, check out the eco-friendly interdental brush options which we cover later on.

Just like a normal toothbrush, you should rinse interdental brushes after each use to keep them clean.

Should you use toothpaste with interdental toothbrushes?

Unless advised by your dentist, you shouldn’t use toothpaste with an interdental brush. However, you can buy special gels which are suitable for interproximal application, like TePe Gingival Gel. This contains antiseptic chlorhexidine and fluoride to offer extra protection. 

Interdental brushes vs floss

You might be wondering whether an interdental brush can replace string floss – especially if you find traditional floss quite difficult to use. Well, the good news is that various studies have shown that using interdental brushes is an effective alternative to flossing. Interproximal brushing can even be more effective at removing plaque than regular flossing, according to this research. 

However, you may find that even the smallest interdental brushes are too big to fit between some of the gaps in your teeth. If this is the case, you should still floss those gaps to remove plaque.

If you’re unsure whether to use interdental brushes or floss (or both!), it’s best to ask your dentist. Their answer may depend on your current oral health and the positioning of your teeth, or they might just recommend using whatever you find easier.

Read more about flossing in our guide about how to floss and the best products to use.

Can interdental brushes damage gums?

Used correctly, interdental brushes should clean plaque from the gumline between teeth but shouldn’t cause any damage to the gums. However, it may take a few days to get the hang of it.

Do your gums hurt after using interdental brushes? It’s normal for your gums to bleed a little when you first start using them. This is a sign of early gum disease (gingivitis), but your new cleaning habits will help improve your gum health. Keep up your brushing for a few days, and the bleeding should subside.

If any pain or bleeding continues for more than a week or two, speak to your dentist. You might need a professional teeth cleaning to remove tartar buildup. Or, it may be that you need to try a smaller size or angle the brush differently. Our instructions a little further down will help you avoid damaging your gums by using the wrong technique.

What’s the difference between an interdental and interspace toothbrush?

An interspace toothbrush, or single-tufted toothbrush, is another type of brush designed to reach tricky spots in your mouth. It contains just one small bundle of filaments arranged in a point. Interdental brush filaments stick out to the sides.

Interspace brushes can be useful for cleaning around implants, crowns, bridgework and fixed braces, but they can’t be used for cleaning between teeth. Ask your dentist if you’re unsure which type of brush you should use.

Interdental brush sizes

Interproximal toothbrushes come in a range of sizes to suit different needs. The smallest interdental brushes should fit between tightly packed teeth, whereas larger sizes are suitable for cleaning around braces, denture implants, and gaps left by missing teeth.

Interproximal brush size guide

Manufacturers colour-code their brushes to make it easy to tell different sizes apart. Unfortunately, they don’t all use the same colours for each size. For instance, a 1.1mm purple interdental brush from TePe corresponds to a green one from CURAPROX. So if you are switching between brands, make sure you check the size of your brush rather than just the colour.

In the table below you can see the sizes offered by some of the main manufacturers and the corresponding colours. There is an ISO sizing standard which numbers brushes from 0 to 8, but not all manufacturers use this.

As you can see, Stoddard and TePe interdental brush sizes offer the most variety, whereas other brands focus on the mid-range sizes. The smallest interdental brush featured here is the white 0.35mm one from Stoddard, which you can buy on Amazon here.

Choosing the right sized brush

It’s important to choose the right size for each of the spaces you need to clean. Too small, and the brush may not clean effectively. Too large, and you risk damaging your teeth or gums in the process. Of course, this may mean you need to use a number of different sized brushes to perform a complete teeth cleaning.

The brush should fit comfortably into the gap between your teeth. Inserting it should only require slight pressure. If it feels like you’re forcing it, stop and try a smaller size.

Your dentist will be able to measure the spaces between your teeth and advise you of the interdental brush size(s) you should use. But if you want to know what size interdental brush to use without visiting a dentist, try purchasing a multipack with a variety of different sizes. 

This mixed pack of TePe interdental brushes has one of each size from 0 to 7 (0.4mm to 1.3mm). Buying this is a very cost-effective way to work out which sizes you need before buying larger quantities of each.

If you prefer an angled brush (more on these below) then you can buy this pack of 6 from TePe with all six sizes from 0 to 5. 

Conclusion

Cleaning between teeth is an important part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Interdental brushes are an effective alternative to string floss, and they are available in different sizes to suit any kind of space between teeth.

When choosing the best interdental brush for you, consider the following:

• Are you prepared to pay more for a higher-quality, durable brush that will last longer?
• Do you need a long-handled brush with an angled head for reaching your back teeth?
• Do you need brushes in a variety of sizes for cleaning different-sized gaps?
• Would you prefer a less wasteful option like a bamboo-handled brush or a water flosser?

We hope the information in this guide has helped you understand interdental brush sizes and designs so you can select one that meets your needs.

Are you interested in learning more about Rubber Interdental Brush? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!