Our teeth need proper care no less than the skin of the face. Therefore, the choice of means for oral hygiene should be given special attention. One of the main tools that ensure proper oral hygiene is a toothbrush. Toothbrushes that exist in our time are divided into two main types: conventional and electric. In addition, there are a number of criteria that determine the quality of brushes. But how do you choose a toothbrush? This is what the editors of Estet-portal will tell you today.
Toothbrushes in general
Whether it is a regular toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, attention should be paid to the following criteria:
- Size. It is best to buy a toothbrush whose head can easily reach all surfaces of your teeth. For most adults, suitable toothbrush head dimensions are approximately 1.3 cm wide and 2.5 cm long. There are also large heads, however, it can be inconvenient to operate them when brushing molars. As for the handle of the toothbrush, it should be long enough to be comfortable to hold.
- The stiffness of the bristles. As you know, there are three types of toothbrush bristles: soft, medium and hard. For most people, the most comfortable and safest is soft. Medium to hard brushes can damage gums, root surfaces and tooth enamel. It depends on how hard you brush your teeth. For added security, choose rounded bristle tips.
- Expert advice. The toothbrush must be approved by your country's dental association. This ensures that the bristles have safe, rounded tips; the bristles will not fall out of the head while brushing your teeth; the handle of the toothbrush is reliable; the brush will effectively remove plaque and prevent gum disease.
- As for electric toothbrushes, they must pass laboratory safety tests that confirm that the brush will not damage the tissues of the mouth and teeth.
Regular toothbrush or electric toothbrush?
If you brush your teeth properly, both types of brushes should effectively remove plaque and keep your gums healthy. Here are some tips for choosing a brush:
- Price. While there are cheap toothbrush options on the market, electric toothbrushes can cost a lot more. In addition to the fact that an electric toothbrush is much more expensive, remember that the brush heads need to be changed as often as you change a regular toothbrush. And these are additional costs. Of course, if you notice that an electric toothbrush cleans your teeth better, it is better to invest in such a toothbrush, thereby saving money on dental visits.
- Preferences. It all depends on how you like to brush your teeth. Some people are annoyed by the buzzing of an electric toothbrush, and some people find it easier to clean the surfaces of their teeth. This is especially true for people with painful arthritis who have limited motor abilities. In addition, some electric toothbrushes come with a timer that will let you know when it's time to stop brushing. Some will consider such a timer as an overkill that you do not need to overpay for, and some will admire its convenience and functionality.
- Efficiency. Scientists have done a lot of research to find out which brushes - manual or electric - are better at cleaning teeth from plaque and protecting gums. As a result of these studies, it turned out that there is no significant difference in the effectiveness of these brushes. True, some of them (rotational-vibrating, in which the bristles rotate in a circle and at the same time move back and forth) are still more effective than ordinary toothbrushes.
- Security. While all dental-approved toothbrushes are safe, it is important to consider the individual's individual characteristics when choosing them. If you brush your teeth with a lot of force, a power brush will help you do it softer. However, some researchers claim that mechanical toothbrushes can increase the number of bacteria in the blood, which can lead to a potentially dangerous infection in people with certain heart problems. It hasn't been proven yet, but scientists are doing research.
Toothbrushes for children
When choosing a toothbrush for a child, you need to choose one that your child will use correctly and with pleasure. There are many toothbrushes for children - multi-colored, with images of animals and cartoon characters. There are even musical toothbrushes that teach children how to properly brush their teeth. What should be a children's toothbrush: of course, approved by dentists; small size with soft bristles; the child must love it! After all, if he likes the brush, he will be interested in brushing his teeth and he will do it with pleasure!
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