Health-Care Basics: Spend or Save?

Toothbrushes

The American Dental Association maintains that both budget-friendly manual and pricier power brushes can effectively clean teeth, so the choice is yours. Whatever type you prefer to use, avoid a toothbrush with hard, stiff bristles, which can cause enamel erosion, tooth sensitivity, and receding gyms. "The best option is a soft brush with nylon bristles that have rounded ends," says Perle. Additional features that you pay for, like ridged bristles or an indicator that signals when it's time to trade in a brush, don't aid in oral health, though they may make caring for your teeth more comfortable or help you to remember to replace your brush after three months. If you prefer an electric brush, opt for the oscillating-rotating kind. A 2003 review by the nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration Oral Health group, in Manchester, England, found that these models provide a modest benefit in reducing plaque and gingivitis compared with manual brushes.