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Choosing the Right Toothbrush – Types of Toothbrushes
Posted on June 12th, 2022
Different Types of Toothbrushes for Different Dental Needs
The early version of the modern toothbrush we have today was invented in 1938. Before that, other versions consisted of everything from frayed sticks, to brushes with bristles made of feathers and horsehair.
Buying a toothbrush today is far more ordinary since brushing our teeth has become a huge part of the average person’s daily routine. However, there are still many toothbrush options which can make choosing the right toothbrush for your dental needs somewhat confusing.
Types of Toothbrush Bristles
Most dentists recommend their patients use soft bristled toothbrushes to protect their tooth enamel and gums against abrasive brushing. However, there are many types of toothbrushes available at your local supermarket, so understanding the differences between them can aid in choosing the best one for your needs.
Manual Toothbrushes
Manual toothbrushes come with a variety of options, from soft bristled, to medium and hard bristled. In most cases, soft bristles are safer and better for your dental health, since they won’t irritate your gums or wear away tooth enamel. However, medium and hard bristled brushes do remove more plaque- Just be careful to brush your teeth gently if you go for this option, and discuss it with your dentist first.
Other options you get to choose from, like bristle pattern and handle design, will depend on your preferences more than anything else. The head shape of a toothbrush can range from square or round, to diamond shape. Usually, diamond shaped toothbrush heads will allow you to reach your back teeth more easily than others.
Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are efficient and thorough, offering better cleaning coverage through their effortless, multi-directional brushing abilities, as opposed to side-to-side, manual brushing options. The downside is that they are more expensive than manual toothbrushes. However, you can choose from different speed options, and often you can just replace the brush heads instead of the entire device.
Best Toothbrushes for Braces
While electric toothbrushes are an exceptional option all around, they are especially beneficial to patients wearing braces, offering a deeper clean that gets behind and between small metal parts, such as brackets.
One type of toothbrush that is specifically designed for cleaning your teeth when you have braces is called an inter-dental, or interproximal, brush. This brush is typically disposable, but often has a reusable plastic handle for cleaning between teeth and between the wires of dental braces. In short, it is used to clean interdental spaces. Interdental brushes should be used in conjunction with regular tooth brushing to help protect your teeth and gums while you are wearing braces.
Best Toothbrushes for Sensitive Gums
Soft bristled toothbrushes are traditionally a good option for individuals with sensitive gums or gum disease, including people who have trouble flossing. Something like a Sulcabrush can be added to your daily routine as a way to keep your gums healthy and clean.
If you are searching for the best toothbrush for receding gums, an electric toothbrush is ideal for everyday use, in addition to a Sulcabrush.
Other Options
Finally, there are a few other types of brushes you will find that have their own specific uses, including ecological toothbrushes, chewable toothbrushes (designed for travel), and end-tuft toothbrushes.
End-tuft toothbrushes look similar to Sulcabrushes, but are designed to clean hard to reach areas in your mouth, such as wisdom teeth, between overcrowded teeth, around braces, dental bridges, and more. Ecological toothbrushes are made of biodegradable materials, like bamboo bristles and handles, or natural hair bristles. They are designed to help reduce plastic pollution.
Windy City Family Dental – Contact Us Today
If you have been struggling to find the right toothbrush for your dental needs, or simply have questions about how to best take care of your smile, visit Windy City Family Dental and discuss your concerns with our team of dental professionals. When it comes to keeping teeth healthy and strong, our patients are our top priority.
