How To Choose The Right Toothbrush: Dentist Advice

Dental and oral health begins with prophylaxis, systematic physical examination and proper daily care. And here the main role is played by the competent choice of a toothbrush - an indispensable item on your bathroom shelf. However, due to the variety that reigns on the shelves in stores and pharmacies, the task of choosing a quality brush on your own becomes from the category of "mission impossible". How to facilitate the search and not be mistaken with the choice - says dentist Yulduz Gazizova.

1. Manual or electric?

Today, an electric toothbrush cannot surprise anyone: you can choose both mechanical models with a head rotating in a circle, and sound ones, the bristles of which make amplitude movements up and down. One of the main advantages of such gadgets is that they clean the teeth more thoroughly and at the same time help control the degree of pressure on the gums.

The most popular are the so-called manual or hand brushes - those that we have become accustomed to since childhood. They are a basic piece of oral hygiene.

Ideal, from the point of view of dentists, is a duo of manual and sonic brushes in the same sequence of use - this is how maximum cleanliness is achieved. Due to the large number of vibrations, the sonic brush thoroughly cleans teeth even from hard plaque, creates abundant foam and can get to the most inaccessible areas of the oral cavity (see also: "How to properly care for the oral cavity").

In terms of cleaning efficiency, they are not inferior to monobunched brushes with a curved handle, a round working head and one large bunch of bristles.

2. Synthetic or natural?

Despite the fact that manufacturers often say that their toothbrushes are made entirely of organic substances - wood, natural fibers - this is not always a plus, because these materials have a high level of porosity, which means they are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, in including pathogenic.

Experts recommend brushes made of synthetic materials: the edges of their working bristles remain sealed, and the plastic base can be easily cleaned with water.

3. Soft or hard?

The choice of the degree of softness depends on the condition of the gums and oral cavity, the presence of orthopedic structures, implants and the amount of dental plaque. Too hard bristles can damage the enamel, cause injury, lead to constant bleeding of the gums and an unpleasant disease such as stomatitis. The dentist will help you to choose the required stiffness of the bristles after examining the oral cavity.

A bristle that is too soft usually does not provide 100% cleaning effect, but is ideal for those who have recently had surgery or tooth extraction, as well as those who have gum problems and periodontal tissue disease (periodontitis).

The most frequent and correct choice is a brush of medium hardness. It provides the optimal combination of safety and cleanliness. A brush with different lengths of working bristles is also a good option.

What about the length? The ideal proportion of the working head of the brush should be equal to the width of several of your teeth: central, lateral and canine teeth.

4. How to choose a toothbrush for children?

Modern manufacturers label products intended for children with age icons. For babies, brushes with a 0–12, 1–4 year mark are suitable. There are also more versatile models - they are suitable for children from 1 to 6 years old. There are product lines for teens. And from the age of 14 they can already start using "adult" toothbrushes.

If we talk about electrical appliances, brushes with a special display are designed to help parents teach their children to hygiene, which displays information about which teeth were not brushed well enough, and where the brushing time counts down (the optimal time for this procedure is 3 minutes) …

5. How to take care of braces or dentures?

All orthodontic designs require special care that a conventional toothbrush cannot provide. As a rule, the orthodontist informs the patient about which technique is needed in a particular case.

For example, there is a toothbrush with a V-notch bristles in the middle to clean the braces system. Thanks to him, plaque is cleaned not only from the teeth, but also from the space between the plates. Special brushes have been created for patients with removable dentures and other orthodontic constructions (see also: "To put on or not: everything you wanted to know about braces").