How to handle a new toothbrush. Types of toothbrushes: how to choose the best. The best toothbrush according to dentists

Researchers from England and the US have confirmed that the toothbrush is home to a range of microbes. The latter include not the most pleasant individuals, such as E. coli and staphylococcus aureus. But there is one important nuance: most of these bacteria move to the toothbrush directly from us during its use.

How pollution occurs

• oral cavity;
• toothbrush storage.

Thousands of bacteria and microorganisms live in the oral cavity. The natural germs and bacteria in the mouth are one of the main reasons everyone needs to brush their teeth. Some of them cause dental caries, unless removed during cleaning of the mouth. The second place where a toothbrush gets “dirty” is where it is stored. Most people leave their toothbrushes in the bathroom. It is there that microorganisms simply teem. Flushing the toilet pushes the bacteria into the air, and the bath also does its bit to spread it. Ultimately, germs will end up on your toothbrush.

On a note! Hundreds of millions of microorganisms can get on the bristles of a brush, including those that cause colds, viruses and infections.

Table. List of bacteria that can be found on a toothbrush.

Can a toothbrush cause illness?

Everyone knows that germs live on a toothbrush. Some of them can harm us. True, no one has yet proven that a toothbrush full of bacilli will make someone sick. When a person's immune system is in good shape, it fights off the usual germs that tend to live in the mouth. The body's defenses are activated and stop germs before they lead to disease. More often they get on the toothbrush from the oral cavity, which means that these are the same microbes that the body fights daily.

With certain diseases, there is a risk of re-infection from a toothbrush. For example, if you have been diagnosed with strep throat, your doctor will advise you to throw away your old toothbrush after the antibiotics have started to work. If your immune system is not functioning properly due to any disease/disorder, it increases the chances of infection or re-infection after toothbrushing.

Important! For most people, proper hygiene and storage is all that is needed to ensure that the brush is in good condition and safe to use.

Ways to keep your toothbrush clean

The methods are quite simple and many of us probably already do most of the following on a daily basis. Here are the care recommendations from the Dental Association.

1. Never share a toothbrush with someone else. The microbes that another person's body is used to fighting against will certainly not be able to overcome yours.
2. Rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing your mouth, then let it air dry. Most people use a vertical holder for this purpose (be sure to clean it regularly).
3. Do not store your brush in an airtight container where it cannot dry out as this will encourage microbial growth.
4. Change your brush at least 3-4 times a year. This recommendation is more about the effectiveness of the brush in cleaning teeth, but will also help reduce the number of germs living on it.

Professional dentists will certainly advise you to follow a few additional recommendations.

1. Wash your hands before and after brushing your teeth to prevent the spread of germs.
2. Buy a new toothbrush after a cold or other illness.
3. Use two toothbrushes alternately. This must be done so that each bristle has a chance to dry completely before being used again.
4. Do not share toothpaste with a sick person.

Also, in no case should you put a toothbrush in a microwave oven or lower it into boiling water for disinfection. Using these methods, you can kill most bacteria, but the toothbrush will suffer.

Toothbrush disinfection

Some additional measures will help reduce the number of microorganisms living on the toothbrush.

1. Change your toothbrush more often.
2. Rinse it in an antibacterial mouthwash before and/or after brushing your teeth. However, experts warn that the same product used by multiple people can actually lead to cross-contamination and cause more harm than good to health.
3. Use a toothbrush disinfectant. It can kill a large number of microorganisms, but not the fact that it completely destroys them.

Important! Ultraviolet (UV) light is one of the most common ways to disinfect a toothbrush. Generally, bristles are stored in a small plastic container where UV light is targeted for 6-8 minutes before and after brushing.

Effervescent disinfectant tablets can also be used to disinfect toothbrushes. Water interacts with the tablet. Bubbles soon form and disinfect the toothbrush as it absorbs the solution (about 10 minutes).

There is no hard evidence to support the fact that bacteria in the mouth has any adverse effect on human health, but it is best to clean your toothbrush to prevent them from multiplying.

Step 1: Rinse your bristles in hot water after use to get rid of toothpaste, food, and anything else left on them.

Step 2. Fill a clean glass with undiluted white vinegar. Put your toothbrush head down in there.

The glass is filled with white vinegar

Step 3. Let it soak for a couple of hours. Vinegar kills most bacteria and germs.

Step 4 Remove the toothbrush from the vinegar, rinse it under running water, and hang it upright to dry.

There are many different methods for disinfecting your toothbrush, ranging from special UV lamps to using bleach, dishwashing detergent, and the dishwasher. Fortunately, cleaning the mouth with a toothbrush and the absence of infection is quite achievable. In fact, you most likely have all the ingredients you need in the fridge.

Put your toothbrush in the dishwasher. You wash dishes in it, so the appliance will not suffer. However, if you're worried about bristle softening, be sure to wash it at a lower temperature. This is a rather unusual way and it may seem strange to many, but the bacteria really become much smaller.

Dishwasher is another option.

Soak the head of your toothbrush with alcohol. Medical alcohol kills all germs. If you let the bristles air dry or rinse them with water, you can start brushing your teeth right after. Alcohol does the job fairly quickly, but for a good disinfection, you need to leave your toothbrush in a glass or bowl for at least a minute.

You can also prepare a special antimicrobial agent. Here are the three ingredients you will need:

• water;
• vinegar.
• baking soda.

Pour 1/2 cup or 120 ml of water into a container. Then add 2 tbsp. l. or 30 ml of white vinegar and 2 tsp. or 10 mg of baking soda. Mix well. Place your toothbrush in a glass and let sit for 30 minutes. Then rinse.

On a note! Vinegar and baking soda are effective antimicrobial ingredients and, in addition to disinfecting toothbrushes, can be used anywhere as an alternative to toxic cleaners.

You should also stop using your toothbrush every few months or after you notice wear on it. It becomes less effective at brushing your teeth and should be thrown away.

Storage

Proper storage of a toothbrush is an important part of its disinfection. Here are some guidelines to follow.

1. Install flush protection: You may have heard that when a toilet is flushed, particles are released into the air. They settle on all surfaces in the bathroom, including the toothbrush. Keeping the latter out of reach or in a special container will prevent the penetration of potentially harmful microorganisms from the toilet.
2. Don't forget about ventilation. Store your toothbrush in a ventilated area so it dries completely between brushings.
3. Stand upright: Hold your toothbrush in an upright position to avoid cross-contamination from other surfaces.
4. Take care of the right lighting, low humidity, comfortable temperature - microorganisms prefer dark, humid and cool places.

Where not to store your toothbrush

Never store toothbrushes near a toilet. Remember the vintage ceramic holders that were popular in homes built in the 1950s and 1960s? They matched the exterior of the tiles and were almost always placed on the wall to the left or right of the toilet. It's not so much ugly as it's unhygienic. After a while, people realized that all the germs from the toilet moved into the mouth at least twice a day.

Also, don't put your toothbrush in the first aid kit. If you're so used to keeping it there that you can't wean yourself off, place a toothbrush holder inside. This is the safest way to keep germs out of the toilet.

How often to disinfect

Do you need to clean your toothbrushes often? No. If you wash them in hot water after each use and store them properly (away from the toilet), you can clean them about once a month or so. Hot water from the washbasin really helps to remove potentially dangerous germs.

Sanitization versus sterilization

When shopping for toothbrush sanitizer products, it's important to understand modern jargon. The concept of "disinfect" means to remove a disease or infection, but the rate of this process in each individual case can vary greatly. "Sanitation" means a 99.9 percent reduction in bacteria. "Sterilization" is the process of destroying all living organisms. It is important to know that there are currently no commercially available toothbrush cleaners that can sterilize or sanitize them. Do not believe the promises of the complete destruction of all bacteria, because this is just a marketing ploy.

You can buy toothbrush cleaner, but no evidence suggests that these products clean them better than plain water and drying. If you decide to purchase a disinfectant, look for a product that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The bad news is that germs are everywhere and there is no hiding place from them. The good news is that most of them are actually incapable of harming us. Thus, you should not change your toothbrush habit too diligently, if at all. Most people have very little chance of ever getting sick from their own toothbrush.

Video - How to care for a toothbrush

The toothbrush performs the main cleaning function in oral care.

The history of its appearance is very interesting. So, even 300 - 400 years BC, the peoples of South America, Asia and Africa used various devices that were the prototype of a toothbrush. In European countries, the toothbrush, which was then called the "tooth broom", first appeared in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 18th century, toothbrushes began to be used in Russia. The toothbrush is still an indispensable tool for mechanical cleaning of teeth from soft plaque and food debris. Effective hygiene measures cannot be carried out without a toothbrush.

The toothbrush consists of a handle and a head (working part) on which bunches of synthetic or natural bristles are fixed. The bristles are arranged in rows on the brush head. Depending on the density and quality, there are several types of toothbrushes. The location of the bristles on the brush head can be horizontal, concave, convex, enlarged at the distal end. Brush handles can be straight, curved or bayonet-shaped. The most common toothbrushes are hog bristles. Brushes made of synthetic materials are more durable, but they erase tooth tissue more intensively. The handle and head of the brush are usually made of colored or transparent.

Most commercially available toothbrushes do not fully meet modern requirements: they have an excessively large working part, and the bristle tufts are very dense. This interferes with good cleaning of the teeth, since the movements of the brush are limited, the tooth gaps are usually not cleaned with such brushes. The most rational toothbrush should have a head 25-30 mm long and 10-12 mm wide. Rows of bristles should be spaced sparsely, at a distance of 2 - 2.5 mm from each other and no more than three in a row. The height of the bristles should not exceed 10-12 mm. On fig. 24a presents the most rational and successful designs of toothbrushes produced by our industry.

In the last decade, electric toothbrushes have appeared in our country and abroad. The need to use an electric toothbrush, according to a number of authors and designers of these toothbrushes, is justified by the fact that for a short period of time spent brushing teeth, they perform many times more vibrational cleaning movements than with manual brushing. In addition, the use of an electric toothbrush supposedly helps to increase efficiency, since along with cleaning the teeth during hygienic manipulations, the mucous membrane of the gums is produced, which improves blood circulation and enhances metabolic processes in the tissues of the oral cavity. At the same time, it must be remembered that the electric massage of the gums is a relatively potent remedy, therefore, before purchasing an electric toothbrush, you should consult with your dentist. Its use is also advisable under the supervision of a dentist.

Electric Toothbrush consists of a housing in which an electric motor is located, giving 3000 - 4000 revolutions per minute, a handle and a set of toothbrushes. There are usually 4 brushes in the set - for a family of four. They are all different colors. The power source is usually finger-type batteries, however, in a number of designs, recharging is carried out from the mains.

The toothbrush gets dirty easily and can be a source of infection. Therefore, it must be kept absolutely clean. A toothbrush is an item for individual use, and two or more people cannot use the same brush, even if they are close relatives. A new brush must be thoroughly washed before use, then lathered and left in a glass overnight or for several hours. You should not boil a new brush, as it loses its original shape under the influence of high temperature. In addition, the bristles may fall out. After lathering, the brush must be thoroughly rinsed with warm or cold running water. To disinfect the brush, you can leave it for a day in a 40% alcohol solution.

After each use, the toothbrush must be thoroughly washed with soap and water. In the intervals between brushing your teeth, the brush can be in a glass or cup, which should also be individual. There are quite a few different recommendations on how to store your toothbrush to avoid getting it dirty. So, it is recommended to store it under a glass test tube, upside down or head down in a glass, in a special case sprinkled with salt, soapy, etc. Microbiological studies have shown that on the bristles of any toothbrush there is a large number of microbes that fall on it from the air and oral cavity. It is impossible to destroy all microbes on a toothbrush with the mentioned storage methods. However, it is necessary to prevent or reduce the possibility of pathogenic microorganisms getting on the toothbrush. There are quite affordable and simple ways to do this. A.E. Evdokimov believes that it is most rational to store the brush in the periods between brushing your teeth in a glass or cup, lathered, head down.

In special cases, you can store a toothbrush only for a short time, in particular when moving. Long-term storage of a toothbrush in a case deprives it of light and air, which contributes to microbes, including those that adversely affect the body.

A survey carried out over a number of years has shown that quite often brushes are used for brushing teeth, which are already worn out and do not perform their cleaning action. It is hardly possible to set the exact timing for replacing a toothbrush, since their quality varies. However, in our opinion, the toothbrush should be replaced when it is no longer elastic and its cleaning effect is reduced. Experience and observations show that this happens about 3-4 months after the start of using a toothbrush.

The choice of a toothbrush depends on the condition of the teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity, as well as on the age of the person. Children need to use a special small brush to freely manipulate it in the mouth, consistently cleaning from all sides. The length of its head should not exceed 20 - 25 mm, and the width - 8 - 10 mm. Due to the fact that the enamel of children's teeth is less durable than that of adults, and the delicate mucous membrane is easily vulnerable, the bristles of a children's toothbrush, especially at the beginning of its use, should not be excessively hard. For teenagers and adults, toothbrushes may be larger, but the size of their head should also not exceed 30 mm. It is better to use a brush in which the bristle bundles are not densely located. In case of diseases of the hard tissues of the teeth (for example, with increased abrasion, as well as their sensitivity to external stimuli) and the oral mucosa (, etc.), it is necessary to use a soft toothbrush, having coordinated all manipulations with a dentist specialist.

There are more ways to disinfect your toothbrush than you might think.

Toothbrush disinfection is something we often ignore or underestimate. But if you see a petri dish in which germs from your toothbrush have been placed, the next time you will be afraid to brush your teeth without sanitizing your toothbrush.

Toothbrush- this is one of those things that you use every day, and which requires disinfection. It needs to be disinfected, as it cleans all bacteria and germs from your teeth and oral tissues, and ordinary water is ineffective in eliminating them. Running water does not disinfect the bristles of a toothbrush. In fact, it is said that rinsing the toothbrush with water gives the same effect as not cleaning at all.

Methods for disinfecting a toothbrush

Antiseptic Mouthwash: Immerse your toothbrush in an antiseptic mouthwash for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the toothbrush from the rinse aid, rinse with normal or hot water and let dry. Do not place your toothbrush in the case until it has dried. Antiseptic mouthwashes help kill bacteria and germs and disinfect your toothbrush.

Microwave: Place your toothbrush in the microwave for about 15 seconds. It is established that the radiation emitted by a microwave oven destroys bacteria and germs on a toothbrush.

Dishwashing utensils: Tests have shown that disinfecting your toothbrush in the dishwasher provides the most effective germ-killing results compared to rinsing with hot water and high-pressure water.

Boiling: Another effective way to disinfect a toothbrush is the traditional boiling in a container of water. Boil the brush for about 15 minutes and then let it dry. The only downside to this method is that the bristles of your toothbrush will wear out faster than normal when using it. In addition, this method is not suitable for disinfecting an electric toothbrush.

Toothbrush sanitizer: There are many different toothbrush sanitizers available on the market. They come in the form of a toothbrush case, a toothbrush holder, and a small sterilization capsule that you can place and leave the toothbrush head in.

UV sterilizing lamp: You can also disinfect your toothbrush using an ultraviolet sterilizer. When using a UV sterilizer, you must turn the toothbrush over and place it in the sterilizer. The cover of this device is transparent, and the light emitted by it allows you to know whether it is working or not. Sterilization continues for about 10 minutes, after which the device switches off automatically.

Steam and dry heat: There are other electronic sanitizers that disinfect the toothbrush using steam and dry heat.

Hydrogen peroxide solution (H 2 0 2): It is possible to disinfect a toothbrush by storing it in a hydrogen peroxide solution and changing the solution daily, although this is not a very convenient method.

White Vinegar: Pour some white vinegar into a container and place your upside down toothbrush in it overnight. This procedure allows you to disinfect the toothbrush, however, this is not a 100% effective method.

Some tips for keeping your toothbrush clean

• Do not store all your toothbrushes in one toothbrush cup, as bacteria can easily transfer from one brush to another.
• Throw away the brush if the bristles begin to bend.
• Throw away the toothbrush of a person who has had any illness immediately to eliminate any possibility of bacteria from it transferring to other people's brushes.
• Change your toothbrush every 2-3 months.

It is very important to keep your toothbrush as clean as possible, as a bacteria-contaminated brush leads to more germs, which in turn contributes to the development of many diseases and problems, such as heart disease, bad breath, inflammation, and cavities. So disinfect your toothbrush and be proud of your beautiful smile!

Video

Disinfecting your toothbrush will provide an additional layer of protection against oral infection and the spread of infectious diseases. Keeping your toothbrush clean is also a good idea in case other people might use it, although this should be avoided.

Steps

Toothbrush disinfection

Rinse your toothbrush in hot running water before and after brushing your teeth. Take the brush by the handle, holding it with your thumb. Run the bristles under hot water. Do this before and after every brushing.

Dry your toothbrush well. When you're done brushing, brush off any remaining moisture from the bristles. Tap the brush handle on a hard surface, such as a sink, to shake the water out of the bristles. To dislodge more moisture, lower the brush with the bristles down. Let the brush dry completely without letting the bristles come into contact with anything.

• If the bristles touch another surface, you should re-rinse them under hot water and dry them again.

1. Rinse the brush in an antibacterial solution. Use an alcohol based solution. Pour enough solution to completely cover the toothbrush head and bristles. Take a brush and dip the bristles into the solution. Rinse the brush in the solution for 30 seconds. Pull out the brush, tap it on a hard surface (such as a sink) to shake out any moisture, and then leave it to dry in an upright position without letting the bristles touch anything. Throw away the cup.

   • In no case do not dip the brush into a bottle of solution, otherwise you risk not only contaminating the entire bottle, but also the brush itself.
   • If you are sick, increase the soaking period to 10 minutes.

2. Hold the brush under UV light. Many disinfectants use ultraviolet (UV) light to fight bacteria on toothbrush bristles. Most of these devices work on a similar principle. Open the cover on the device. Insert your toothbrush or toothbrush head (for electric brushes) into the inner compartment. Close the lid. Turn on the device and let the UV light clean the bristles for the prescribed amount of time, which is usually no more than a couple of minutes. Pull out the brush when the device indicates the end of work.

   • Some disinfectants use steam or sound waves instead of UV. The method of their application is basically the same, but the duration of cleaning may be different.

3. Change your brush every 3-4 months or as needed. Sometimes it's best to get a new toothbrush. The Russian Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Even so, a close inspection of the bristles will tell you if you should replace the brush early. The individual bristles must not be heavily worn (split ends). In addition, if a lot of bristles are bent in the same direction and even drying does not help to return them to an upright position, it means that it's time to buy a new brush.

   Store your brush upright. Thus, you will kill two birds with one stone. First, water and any other liquids will flow out of the bristles under the force of gravity. And secondly, the bristles will not be at the bottom of the container, where bacteria collect. The container should be short enough so that the head of the toothbrush is well above the rim, and the brush itself does not tip over.

   • Whatever you use - a cup or a special rack to absorb possible drips - place paper towels under the toothbrush storage. In this way, you will be able to get rid of infected fluids without allowing them to come into contact with other surfaces.

4. Move the container away from other surfaces. The bristles on your toothbrush should not come into contact with sources of dirt such as a toilet, wall, or cabinet. Keep containers 1-2 meters from the toilet so that water particles do not fall on them during flushing.

   Install the wall mounted toothbrush holder. Place the brush in a holder that can be attached to the wall. Purchase a mounting stand and holder from a hardware store. Using a screwdriver, secure the rack to the wall above the sink, and at least 1-2 meters from the toilet, shower and/or bath. Place the toothbrush holder on the stand by inserting it vertically.

   • The holder usually has enough space for several brushes. Make sure the brushes do not touch each other. In addition, there is usually a holder in the center for storing supplies such as toothpaste. The bristles of the toothbrush should also not touch these objects.

5. When traveling, keep your toothbrush in the case. If you are going on a trip, do not forget to put your toothbrush in a case. The choice of toothbrush covers is quite extensive, some of them even have antimicrobial properties. If there is such an opportunity, stop your choice on them. Whatever you choose, know that the principle of operation of covers is almost the same - they hide the brush head in a special pocket, after which they close or snap into place at the top (not the one where the handle is located). Take your brush out as soon as you get to your destination to clean it and let it dry before use.

• Change your toothbrush about once every 3-4 months.
• Do not store your toothbrush in a closed container for a long period of time.
• Store your toothbrush upright.
• Deep toothbrush disinfection is generally not worth doing more than once a week.
• A few drops of a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution on the bristles will effectively and safely clean them. Hydrogen peroxide is found in both toothpaste and mouthwash. This is a fairly short and cheap method that can be performed after each brushing of the teeth. H 2 O 2 is sold in most pharmacies.

The first toothbrushes appeared a very long time ago. Ancient people took twigs of plants, divided them into fibers and cleaned their teeth with such a device. Since then, there has been a colossal evolution of dental hygiene appliances, and such a brush has become the prototype of modern ones.

What is the best toothbrush? There is no single answer to this question, because all people are different, each has its own characteristics and problems of the oral cavity. But knowing the basic types and principles that a brush must comply with, it is easy to choose the right one.

Types of toothbrushes:

1. Toothbrush standard- a classic device for oral hygiene, which consists of a handle and a head with bristles fixed in it. They come in different sizes for adults and children. The main selection criterion is the stiffness index of the pile. In the absence of problems with teeth and gums, choose a bristle of medium hardness - it cleans the teeth well, without injuring them, but without leaving plaque behind.
2. Electric toothbrush- such a battery-powered device has firmly settled on the shelves in the bathroom of those who love comfort and high-quality cleaning of their teeth. The main difference between such a device and a classic brush is the reduced size of the working part, usually round. In this case, the head performs not only reciprocating movements, but also circular, as well as vibrating. This allows you to remove dirt from all corners of the oral cavity.
3. Ionic toothbrush- outwardly, such a device resembles an ordinary brush, however, the ionization function is activated using batteries. These can be small batteries or even batteries powered by the sun. The principle of operation lies in the titanium dioxide rod located inside the brush. It has a negative charge, and when it comes into contact with hydrogen cations, it attracts microbial plaque and inactivates the acidic action of bacteria.
4. Toothbrush ultrasonic- refers to a variety of electric brushes. This hygiene product generates ultrasound during operation, which helps to eliminate not only soft deposits, but also prevents the formation of tartar. In addition, the ultrasonic brush is a good prevention of periodontal disease due to its healing effect on the gums.

Which toothbrush to choose?

To choose the best toothbrush for daily use, you need to pay attention to some of the nuances:

1. The bristle material is important. There are brushes with natural and artificial bristles. According to dentists, natural brushes, due to the accumulation of water in the bristles, are a breeding ground for bacteria, so choose products with artificial bristles.
2. The size of the head of a brush that is suitable for an adult is 25-30 mm. Too small a working part does not clean the surface well enough, and bulky dimensions do not allow a good treatment of the lateral areas and the zone of chewing teeth.
3. The handle of a good toothbrush should be comfortable. Too thin, flexible or bulky handle leads to rapid fatigue of the muscles of the hand and fingers.
4. Study the labels on the packaging. Look at the indication of the degree of rigidity based on the recommendations of the dentist, choose the one that is right for you. In the absence of serious problems in the oral cavity, purchase a brush with medium-hard bristles.
5. The end part of each bristle should be rounded so as not to damage the tooth enamel and not injure the soft tissues.

The best toothbrush according to dentists

The best toothbrush, according to dentists, is one that is regularly used and replaced regularly. Doctors do not have a definite favorite among individual dental appliances. It does not matter which company is indicated on the handle. The main thing is that the toothbrush meets the requirements listed above and is suitable for your particular case.

A product can be very expensive, have a big name, a well-known manufacturer and be good in all respects. But if a person suffering from loose teeth and increased bleeding gums chooses a toothbrush that is designed for a completely healthy oral cavity, then it cannot be called the best for this particular patient, even if it occupies a leading position in the ranking.

Rating of the best toothbrushes

Dental health starts with choosing the right toothbrush.

A large number of different companies, both well-known and new, are represented on the dental market. The ranking of the best toothbrushes are:

• Ionic Splat Brush- the activation of the device occurs at the moment when wet fingers touch the handle. The brush reverses the polarity of the teeth and attracts negatively charged particles of bacterial plaque to the bristles.
• Pro Gold Edition by R.O.C.S is a manual brush that has not only a stylish appearance, but also a unique bristle that has smooth tips thanks to the triple polishing system.
• Colgate Toothbrush- a well-known company has released a product, the bristles of which are impregnated with pine phytoncides, due to which the gums are healed and the effect on pathogenic microflora.
• Lacalut White- has a unique Tynex bristle, which gently and without damaging the enamel removes pigmented plaque. Microtwister bristles are located on the sides of the head, gently brightening the surface of the teeth.

Toothbrush for those who wear braces

What kind of toothbrush is needed for a patient on whose teeth a bracket system is installed in order to better clean the surface of the enamel and the locks attached to it? At first glance, it may seem that the usual hygiene product is also suitable.

In fact, the orthodontic structure greatly complicates the cleaning of the teeth, besides, it serves as a place for the accumulation of food debris and soft plaque. With regular poor-quality cleansing, gradual demineralization of the enamel occurs. After removing the braces, a person can expect an unpleasant surprise - all the front surfaces of the teeth are painted with white chalky spots.

For a complete cleansing when straightening your teeth, you will need:

• mono-beam brush;
• brush with a V-shaped recess;
• special brushes for cleaning braces.

The recessed brush has a special arrangement of bristles on the head. When viewing it from the end, you can see that in the central part of the villi it has a shorter length and seems to be beveled in the form of the letter “V”, from which the name of this product arose. This design helps the simultaneous high-quality cleansing of both the teeth and the installed braces.

A mono-bundle brush is a product with a long handle, on the working part of which there is only one bristly bundle. In this case, the head is located perpendicular to the body. The brush allows you to clean the areas between the locks, and also easily penetrates under the orthodontic arch and ligatures.

Brushes are most comfortable to clean the space under the metal arc. Such a device is not sold in every pharmacy, so it is better to purchase them in a specialized store.

How to properly care for your toothbrush

A big role is played not only by the quality of the toothbrush, but also by how its owner takes care of it.

Rules for using and caring for a toothbrush:

1. Toothbrush is a personal hygiene product. This means that only one person should use the product so that it does not become a source of infection.
2. Observe storage rules. Rinse the brush thoroughly with water after use and place the brush head upright in a glass. According to the rules, each family member must have his own, so that the microflora does not cross.
3. Do not store your brush in a closed case, as it must be dry to prevent bacteria from multiplying. In the case, the device cannot dry completely.
4. Change the hygiene product as it wears out, but at least every three months. This rule also applies to removable brush heads.
5. If the villi are deformed, do not use the product - this can scratch the enamel and mucous membrane.
6. Wash the brush with soap and water to remove the remaining paste and plaque.

When choosing individual products for the care of teeth and gums, it is better to seek the advice of a dentist. Based on individual characteristics, he will recommend suitable hygiene products. Every person who carefully monitors the health of not only the oral cavity, but the whole body needs to know which toothbrush is best for brushing their teeth.

Useful video about toothbrushes