# It's tough to get hard (toothbrushes in Canada -- why?) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 31, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454 "2004-12-31T17:52:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/1 "2004-12-31T17:52:28Z")
Toothbrushes come in soft, medium and hard textures. I’ve always kind of prefered the harder ones – the bristles show less deformation and it feels like it’s doing a better job. That being said, I’ve hardly ever seen the “hard” toothbrush for sale in Canada. Maybe they stopped making them, maybe just a case of “preplanned obsolesence” if people throw out the soft ones sooner, maybe the hard ones cause damage or are disliked by Canadians or are less effective. I went to Mexico a few months ago, and was kind of surprised to see many of the available brushes were hard. Maybe Mexicans have other things to spend money on apart from toothbrushes, prefer the hard ones or have less effective brushes dumped on a market with less stringent safety laws. So, anyone can tell me why I’m having trouble getting hard? ---
**Author:** ![abderian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@abderian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abderian)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/2 "2004-12-31T18:19:50Z")
In the Newmarket area, I find hard toothbrushes at the larger Shopper’s Drug Mart stores. Admittedly, there aren’t a glut of 'em, and I have to wade through the “Softs” and “Mediums”, but inevitably, I do manage to find them there. ---
**Author:** ![ookpik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c68b51/32.png) [@ookpik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ookpik)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/3 "2004-12-31T18:20:48Z")
I’ve been able to find them at Walmart in Ottawa, but only the REACH brand. They’re listed as “Firm” But they are hard to find. I usually pick up a couple when I can find them. Seems they only order a few as they’re not that popular. Interestingly, the last time at the dentists, I requested a Firm brush instead of the Soft one they hand out after the cleaning, and the hygienist looked shocked and said: “You should not use a firm brush as it’s detrimental to your gums!” Didn’t think of asking her for a cite at the time, but I’d like to know where she got that from. ---
**Author:** ![rfgdxm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@rfgdxm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rfgdxm)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/4 "2004-12-31T18:24:17Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Toothbrushes come in soft, medium and hard textures. I’ve always kind of prefered the harder ones – the bristles show less deformation and it feels like it’s doing a better job. That being said, I’ve hardly ever seen the “hard” toothbrush for sale in Canada. Maybe they stopped making them, maybe just a case of “preplanned obsolesence” if people throw out the soft ones sooner, maybe the hard ones cause damage or are disliked by Canadians or are less effective. Free hint. Go to a pharmacy, and speak directly to the pharmacist. State that you wish to purchase hard textured toothbrushes. If they exist in Canada, surely a pharmacist could order them for you. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/5 "2004-12-31T18:36:19Z")
They do feel like they do a bit better job, but it’s not worth the risk of gum recession. Trust me! ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/6 "2004-12-31T18:38:06Z")
According to my sister the dental hygienist, hard bristles are bad for your gums, and wear off the enamel on your teeth. That, and most people brush too hard anyway (if your brush gets deformed after 3 months, you’re using too much pressure). ---
**Author:** ![SavageNarce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/7 "2004-12-31T19:20:46Z")
A quick Google search turns up lots of toothbrush-related sites, mostly from companies trying to convince you to use _their_ product and not that _inferior-other-guy’s_ brand. But some are dental sites, and they seem to agree with [this one:](http://www.craigentinny.co.uk/resources/ohselect.htm) > [@](#): > > A good toothbrush has SOFT bristles, most of us look for firm are hard toothbrushes because we “feel” that this will give us a better “scrub,” these toothbrushes are in fact damaging to your gums and in certain circumstances can also damage your teeth as well. Several sites also say that most of us brush too hard anyways, whether our brush has firm or soft bristles. A preference for firm bristles in the belief that the brush will last longer may be false economy. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/8 "2004-12-31T20:22:27Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > According to my sister the dental hygienist, hard bristles are bad for your gums, and wear off the enamel on your teeth. > That, and most people brush too hard anyway (if your brush gets deformed after 3 months, you’re using too much pressure). 3 MONTHS?!?!? You’re kidding, right? I think mine last about 1, maybe 2 months before they’re all splayed out. Then again, I use soft or extra soft toothbrushes, so maybe that has something to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/9 "2005-01-01T21:35:28Z")
**Dr. Paprika** , I don’t think brushing once or twice a week with a hard toothbrush is going to cause any damage. I also appreciate the clean feeling a harder brush gives you. Do a Google search for “lactona hard toothbrush” and you will find some online. I keep one around to do a once-a-week scrub. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/10 "2005-01-01T23:11:12Z")
I have exactly the same problem here in Sydney. Whenever I go into a supermarket or pharmacy, there are rows and rows of soft and medium toothbrushes from which to choose, but no hard ones. However, I recently discovered one of those $2 junk shops in the city which had stacks of hard toothbrushes, so I bought up big and now have at least five years’ worth. ---
**Author:** ![sangfroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/11 "2005-01-02T01:32:25Z")
Awright! Finally a question I can answer with some certainty! As a large (otc) pharmacy retailer, I order and stock over a hundred varieties of manual toothbrushes (excluding spins, sonics, waterpiks, etc.). We currently carry exactly ONE listed as “Firm” (as a prior poster noted), in the Reach brand. I am routinely asked by customers why we do not have more, and the answer is simply that they aren’t made anymore. Not much anyway. I asked my dental hygienist about this during a routine visit, and she was truly mortified that people still wanted to use ‘hard’ brushes! Apparently, the dental profession is ‘on message’, but they don’t seem to be spreading the word too effectively. If you really like them, (and want to incur the wrath of your dentist), buy a case (they come 12/sleeve; 144/case) when you find them, and store them. They’ll keep (just about) forever out of sunlight! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/12 "2005-01-02T04:25:17Z")
Thanks for your replies. Guess the reason firm toothbrushes are hard to find here include most of my guesses. So is it unethical to be foisting firm brushes on the Mexicans? ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/13 "2005-01-02T08:14:12Z")
> [@bump](#): > > 3 MONTHS?!?!? You’re kidding, right? I think mine last about 1, maybe 2 months before they’re all splayed out. > > Then again, I use soft or extra soft toothbrushes, so maybe that has something to do with it. Nope, according to her, even with soft bristles your brush should not splay out. This definitely takes some getting used to if you’re like me and have a tendency to scrub the bejesus out of your mouth. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/14 "2005-01-02T16:34:30Z")
Wow… I tried brushing lightly, and it just doesn’t feel quite right, like I’m half-assing it. I wish there was some way other than those nasty red tablets to tell if I’m brushing effectively, so I can retrain myself to brush lightly and effectively. ---
**Author:** ![vertizontal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ad7895/32.png) [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/15 "2005-01-02T17:14:30Z")
My hygienist (who also teaches dental hygiene at the local community college) always recommends soft. I use a battery powered electric toothbrush that has a rotating brush of soft bristles. I think it works great - much better than using a manual brush of any kind of firmness. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/16 "2005-01-02T17:16:05Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > According to my sister the dental hygienist, hard bristles are bad for your gums, and wear off the enamel on your teeth. > That, and most people brush too hard anyway (if your brush gets deformed after 3 months, you’re using too much pressure). FWIW, my dentist told me the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![starsandmoons89](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@starsandmoons89](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starsandmoons89)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/17 "2015-04-09T05:26:14Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > So, anyone can tell me why I’m having trouble getting hard? Seriously? Not one person commented on that? LOL Try watching porn, just kidding… kind of ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-tough-to-get-hard-toothbrushes-in-canada-why/282454/18 "2015-04-09T07:21:19Z")
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