Dental care experts What can be the right toothbrush?

Toothbrush Check-up: Tips for Choosing the Right Model
When buying a new toothbrush, most people feel overwhelmed because of the diverse product range. Not only the large brand offer, but also the different types of brushes cause confusion. "In addition to regular use, the basis for optimal oral hygiene is above all the correct selection of a suitable toothbrush," says Dr. med. Christoph Sliwowski, Director of the Dentistry Clinic Dusseldorf in the St. Vincent Hospital. Which type is suitable for whom is explained by the dental technician below.

Electrical support
In addition to ordinary manual and electric rotary toothbrushes, other models, such as sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes in the bathroom, are now also found. Sonic toothbrushes set their brush head in motion with high-frequency mechanical vibrations. With 30,000 oscillations per minute, they produce up to ten times as many as conventional rotary toothbrushes.

Which toothbrush is the right one? Expert gives answers. (Image: orinocoArt / fotolia.com)

But it goes even faster: ultrasonic toothbrushes produce electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 1.6 million pulses per second and thus clean much more effectively. Other advantages: Annoying scrubbing is eliminated and the sponge-like attachment slides along the teeth without applying pressure. "Especially with recurring gum problems or for implant wearers, this gentle procedure is particularly appropriate", explains Dr. med. Christoph Sliwowski.

In general, electric toothbrushes achieve better cleaning results compared to the hand model and therefore represent a better choice for older people and children, with decreasing or gross hand motor skills. However, those who have the right technology and enough time can achieve the desired results even with the cheap manual toothbrush.

Focus on bristles
For a careful oral hygiene, the choice of bristles is one of the most important requirements. Anyone who pays attention to a soft to medium hardness prevents injury to the gums. In addition, rounded plastic bristles are recommended because biological natural bristles contain cavities and are considered as bacteria carriers. "From a hygiene point of view, materials such as nylon are the most suitable because bacteria and germs are very difficult to adhere to them," emphasizes Dr. med. Christoph Sliwowski. With a small bristle field, the back molars can also be easily reached. In order to better reach the area between the teeth, crossed positions or so-called high-low profiles are recommended.

Additional helpers
Even the best toothbrushes do not fully capture the hard-to-reach spaces. Therefore, it requires more tools to protect yourself from caries bacteria in the best possible way. Mouth showers remove stuck food scraps roughly with a stream of water. Subsequent fine work is done by dental floss or interdental brushes. For a lasting feeling of freshness, mouthwashes are finally used. "Despite all the measures, the annual visit to the dentist is unavoidable and should therefore not be perceived until acute pain", explains Dr. med. Christoph Sliwowski concludes.