If you have been using the same toothbrush for the last three months, most likely making it look like a chewed twig, it is time for a change. However, although there are many different types of toothbrushes on the market, you may not understand why they are not created equal. That’s why the experts at Lovett Dental Piney Point Village are here to help you understand the common varieties of toothbrushes and decide which one is ideal for you.
Manual Vs. Electric Types of Toothbrushes
Manual and electric toothbrushes are the most common on the market. When using a manual brush, clean your teeth for not less than two minutes to eliminate bacteria. Some people find these toothbrushes manually taxing.
An electric toothbrush often runs on a rechargeable motor, so it brushes quicker than the manual one. It is ideal for children or people who have dental braces and find it hard to clean teeth due to the metal parts. The toothbrush does an excellent job of eliminating plaque, causing gum infections.
There are several electric toothbrushes available in the market, including:
- Rotating toothbrushes with circular arrangements of spinning bristles
- Rotating-oscillating electric toothbrushes whose heads twist in one direction and then turns to spin in the other direction
- A dual-head electric toothbrush with one head rotating as the other sweeps from side to side to eliminate plaque
- Sonic and ultrasonic electric toothbrushes that work by vibrating at high speeds to break and remove plaque
However, based on your particular dental health conditions, a dentist can recommend another type of toothbrush. In such a situation, several factors come into play.
Bristle Type and Pattern of Toothbrushes
If you aim to remove plaque, you will need to use a toothbrush with a hard bristle. However, such toothbrushes put you at risk of gum bleeding or damage, leading to gum recession and many other oral infections.
It is advisable to use medium-bristled toothbrushes if you have no underlying dental health condition. However, you will need a soft bristle brush if you are nursing a gum infection or have sensitive teeth.
There are varieties of bristle patterns used on toothbrushes. Wavy bristles are ideal for people with crooked teeth as they offer excellent contact with the regions or spaces in-between tooth surfaces. On the other hand, block-bristled toothbrushes have equal height and spacing in their bristles, so they are ideal for those with straight teeth.
Crisscross bristles are apt for removing plaque and surface stains. The tapered multi-level bristle design is a popular choice for cleaning difficult-to-reach areas of teeth, especially for people with braces.
Head and Handle Design of Toothbrushes
Diamond-head toothbrushes have a narrow shape at the top. People who have relatively smaller mouths can achieve excellent tooth-cleaning results with these types of toothbrushes. But if you have no difficulty brushing your teeth, you can opt for the conventional rectangular-shaped toothbrushes with corners that are often slightly rounded.
There are different types of handle designs for toothbrushes, including contra-angle, no-slip grip, straight, and flexible.
An ideal toothbrush handle should be thin enough for proper fitting in your hand and mouth. A toothbrush with a handle that is too thick will be uncomfortable when brushing your molars.
Learn More at Lovett Dental Piney Point Village
If you or your loved ones need to learn more about toothbrushes or require other dental services, look no further than the Lovett Dental Piney Point Village. For optimal dental health, we offer a wide variety of services, including:
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Oral surgery and tooth extractions
- Sedation and dental anxiety
- Pediatric dentistry
- Emergency dental services
The level of comfort and effects on your teeth are the most vital factors to consider when selecting a toothbrush. For example, choose toothbrushes with soft bristles if you suffer from tooth sensitivity. But if you are buying a toothbrush for a child, opt for an electric toothbrush instead.
For more details on dental care and the recommended types of toothbrushes for you and your family, contact Lovett Dental Piney Point Village at 832-242-2030 to get started.