Let’s face it, you can’t overlook the importance of good oral hygiene. It’s the first thing you need to do to maintain your dental health as well as your overall well-being. Brushing your teeth, knowing how to use dental floss and eating the right foods will get you that sparkling white smile that everyone wants.
Dental health techniques and instruments have evolved tremendously over the years. We have a plethora of toothbrushes, dental floss products, toothpastes and mouthwashes to choose from. There’s something for everyone and keeping your mouth healthy has never been easier.
Although these products are easy to find and use, the toothbrush still reigns supreme as the main instrument for a good oral hygiene. This versatile tool has been around for hundreds of years, it comes in various shapes and sizes, and is extremely easy to use.
Let’s see which are some of the most common types of toothbrushes and what they are best for:
- Electric toothbrushes
The first electric toothbrushes were developed as early as the 1950s but the technology became successful only in the 1980s. They work by creating an oscillatory or rotational movement of the bristles, thus cleaning the mouth and tooth area. The small motor is able to work at different settings which helps users reach even the narrower spaces.
Initially, electric toothbrushes were hard to use and cumbersome, but modern models are widely regarded as having similar performance levels with manual toothbrushes. Some users report that electric toothbrushes are more comfortable than manual toothbrushes and encourage a correct cleaning process. Depending on the type and speed of motion, electric toothbrushes can be further divided into standard power toothbrushes, sonic toothbrushes (audible frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz) or ultrasonic toothbrushes (more than 20,000 Hz in audible frequency range).
- Interdental toothbrushes
Also called an interproximal toothbrush, the interdental toothbrush is a small manual toothbrush which is used to clean the narrow space between teeth. It is especially useful for people with crowded teeth, as an alternative to dental floss. Generally, these types of toothbrushes are disposable and come with a reusable plastic handle. Many dental hygiene experts point out that, if used properly, interdental toothbrushes are more effective than dental floss, cleaning almost 95% of the plaque deposits. Interproximal toothbrushes come in a variety of sizes and lengths, with wire sizes as small as 0.4 mm and as wide as 2 mm, being ideal for almost any person.
- End-tuft brush
The end-tuft toothbrush has a circular head comprising seven or eight tufts of nylon bristles. The tightly packed bristles are trimmed to allow the center area of the brush to reach small spaces. The handle of the toothbrush is specifically designed to allow a firm, ergonomic grip, thus giving the required precision to clean the narrower areas of the mouth. End-tuft brushes are recommended for patients who wear braces or other orthodontic structures (dentures, bridges or implants), have crowded or missing teeth.
- Chewable toothbrushes
These miniature toothbrushes were created in the 1990s as an alternative to manual toothbrushes. They are made of molded plastic and are designed to be chewed. The continuous mastication movements help with the cleaning, and some models even have a small pocket of toothpaste that breaks during chewing. Because this type of toothbrush can be used without an additional source of water, they are popular among tourists and travelers.
- Eco toothbrushes?
??Almost all toothbrushes are made of plastic or similar materials, but eco toothbrushes can be made of biodegradable materials, like bamboo, cardboard or pressed organic materials. The heads are replaceable and the bristles are made of bamboo viscose, flax or pig hair. Although not as popular as other products, the market for ecological toothbrushes grows every year.
If you’re not sure which toothbrush best fits you and your dental needs, you can always seek assistance from your local dentist, like Dr. Johnson in Fort Lauderdale.