Which toothbrush to choose
A good toothbrush prevents bad breath and plaque. It also makes it harder for tooth decay to reach your teeth. But you need to pick the right toothbrush and use it at least once a day. How? We’ll tell you how.
How did the toothbrush come into being?
Dental hygiene dates back to Ancient Egypt. Back then, teeth were cleaned with a stick made from tree bark and containing bacteria-killing substances. One end was pointed so it could be used to pick up food debris, and the other end was soaked so it could be used to remove plaque.
Toothbrushes were first introduced in 1498, over 500 years ago. The handle was made of bamboo or bone and the brush head had pig bristles on it. It was made by the wise Chinese. Even back then, they knew how important it was to brush their teeth properly and look after their health. But even nowadays, some people don’t brush their teeth every day, but only from time to time. And they only go to the dentist when tablets for toothache don’t help anymore.
The first toothbrushes similar to those sold in shops today were made by the English company Addis. And in 1840, this lucrative business appeared in Germany and France. Russia and China were also involved: these countries supplied natural bristles. Incidentally, it was first replaced by synthetic bristles in 1938.
That was also the time when the first electric toothbrush was launched. Who else could have invented it, but the pedantic Swiss? But they didn’t start marketing it until the 60s. But by then, a toothbrush with an integrated battery was on the market. And a little later, the first rotary toothbrush with a twist head appeared on the world market.
Today, toothbrush manufacturers continue to amaze us by creating real gadgets.
What toothbrushes are available?
- Classic
- Electric
- Ultrasonic
Classic toothbrushes
These brushes are the most popular ones. They are given to passengers in RZD luxury carriages, left in hotel rooms, and offered to patients before dental appointments. The handle of a classic toothbrush is usually made of plastic and the bristles are made of synthetic fibers. The hardness level is always indicated on the package:
Soft
Medium
Hard
Toothbrushes with soft bristles were once recommended by dentists to children, people with sensitive teeth, and problematic gums. These days almost everyone uses them. The soft bristles do not damage the enamel and oral tissues, and if used correctly and without lazing around, they can handle plaque nicely.
Stiff bristles are recommended only for use with removable dentures. It is not a good brush because it scratches the enamel and can damage the mucosa. And it will not remove tartar, as it can only be removed at a dental hygienist’s office.
Conventional toothbrushes change all the time. It’s either the handle has new rubberized details for convenience, the shape of the head has been modified, or the number, thickness, and structure of hairs have been changed. Marketers regularly assert that each successive version of the classic brush is better than the previous one. It is a proven fact that the cleanliness of your teeth is directly linked to your brushing technique.
Do you know how to effectively remove plaque from your teeth?
Ask your dental hygienist. He or she will be sure to give you personal recommendations.
Electric toothbrushes
An electric toothbrush is a dream for many people, but only the greedy can afford one. It is either battery- or cordless-powered, or more rarely mains-powered. Such a brush cleans the enamel by rotating and reciprocating the brush head from food particles while removing soft plaque by pulsating the brush head. An electric toothbrush can reach even the “eighths” you normally pay little attention to.
Most toothbrushes have several settings. You can choose one that feels most comfortable on your gums and cleans your enamel. You can also buy additional brush heads, such as those for tongue and gum hygiene.
Electric toothbrushes operate at a frequency of 200-400 Hz – a noise everyone can hear.
They also make 24,000 to 48,000 movements per minute. The high speed of rotation saves time. It makes these brushes ideal for people who are always in a hurry.
You’re probably convinced by now that an electric toothbrush is great for brushing your teeth.
Yes, but only if you use it correctly. That’s why you should read the manual before it breaks or injures you.
Also, an electric toothbrush is not for everyone. It is not recommended:
- Children under 3 years of age
- People with veneers or crowns
- People with abnormal tooth abrasion and low enamel density
- Patients with wedge-shaped defects of the teeth
Ultrasonic toothbrushes
These brushes remove plaque with the help of acoustic vibrations. They operate at a frequency of 1.6 MHz, so you can’t hear them. They have a brush head that can go as much as 192,000,000 strokes per minute. Pretty impressive, huh?
Ultrasound is considered the most modern toothbrush you can get. They have a therapeutic effect on your periodontal tissues, help you absorb the trace elements in toothpaste, and are great at removing plaque.
Pregnant women and people with pacemakers are not recommended to use this type of toothbrush.
An ultrasonic electric toothbrush can be very effective in protecting against tooth decay
if used regularly and properly. But it is no substitute for ultrasound, which the hygienist uses when brushing your teeth.
Children’s toothbrushes
Choosing something for your baby is always a challenge. You want to buy the best for your child and the cost doesn’t matter. But it’s the age of the child that counts when choosing a toothbrush, rather than your parents’ financial means.
A baby toothbrush should grow with the child. For the baby who has not yet had a single tooth, buy a silicone toothbrush. Massage the gums, tongue, and lips with it. To clean the first teeth, use a small, soft bristle brush with a small head. This protects the enamel and gums from damage as much as possible.
As your baby’s jaw grows and new teeth appear, the size of toothbrushes also changes. The head gets longer and larger.
When the child is 3 years old, an electric toothbrush with special brush heads can be used.
Before buying a toothbrush, check with your child’s dentist.
He or she should be able to find the right shape for your child’s age and personality.
Special Toothbrushes
- Toothbrushes for braces. They have a V-shaped cutout on the working part.
- Toothbrushes for dentures. They have special stiff bristles.
- Monobrush toothbrushes. They are designed to clean the cervical part of the teeth when a person has a crowded, fixed denture or implant.
How to choose a toothbrush?
Brushing with a good toothbrush is a pleasure. You can run your tongue over your teeth, and you’ll feel them smooth and your breath fresh. So how to choose one?
- Look at the bristles. The tips should be rounded.
- What’s the stiffness of your brush? Depending on the condition of your mouth and gums, choose soft or medium-hard brushes.
- What’s the deal with bundles? There should be plenty of them so the brush is thicker. This will help it deal with plaque better.
- Measure the length of the tip and look at the shape. A child’s toothbrush should be no longer than 22mm and adults should be between 25mm and 27mm. Brushes with oval or rounded shapes are thought to be more comfortable.
- Don’t compromise on comfort. Look for the handle. Choose a handle that fits comfortably in your hand.
- One last thing: how many grams does a toothbrush weigh? The weight of the toothbrush is important. As a general rule, all regular manual toothbrushes are quite light.
Don’t like the classic toothbrush? Get an electric one. It’s more expensive than a manual one, so take your time and research the options beforehand. You may find an electric toothbrush with a tongue brush head, pressure sensor, or even a timer. All to make sure you brush each tooth properly and thoroughly.
How to Care for your toothbrush
- A toothbrush is a personal hygiene product, meaning only one person should use it. This prevents infection from someone else’s mouth from settling in yours.
- After brushing, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with water and place it upside down in a bowl.
- Do not store the brush in a closed container; otherwise, it won’t dry out and bacteria can thrive in a humid environment.
- Do not use the brush if its lint is deformed. You will only cause damage to your enamel and mucous membranes.
- Wash the toothbrush with soap and water to remove toothpaste and plaque and keep it in an antiseptic solution for a few minutes once a week.
How Often to Replace a Toothbrush?
Want your toothbrush to do you good? Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush. You should do it every three months. It’s a general rule for both classic and electric brushes.
Over time, the bristles can become deformed and may not perform as well as they should.
If you’ve had your toothbrush in the bathroom for a month, but the bristles are already twisted around, it’s safe to throw it in the bin.
And there are cases when the brush looks fine, but you still need to replace it. For example,
If you’ve had an infectious disease, such as stomatitis, gum disease, thrush, sore throat, or even a simple cold. If you don’t change your brush, you run the risk of getting sick again.
By the way, some companies make toothbrushes with a special wear indicator.
It’s very handy.
A good toothbrush and good oral hygiene at home can help keep your teeth healthy. But no matter how much the toothbrush market evolves, no matter what manufacturers and marketers suggest, home hygiene will never replace professional hygiene. It is recommended every six months for people in good oral health, but once every three months for high dental decay rates in childhood and adolescence, periodontal disease, and braces.
The hygienists at DMC Tour will remove tartar, restore your teeth to their natural color and shine, strengthen their enamel, teach you how to brush your teeth properly, and find the perfect toothbrush for you. Then you’ll always look in the mirror with a beautiful, healthy smile!
If you still have questions, contact us.
We’ll be sure to reply within a day!
