Manual toothbrushes
Mechanical removal of dental plaque through the use of manual toothbrushes and other physiotherapy aids, is the most widely accepted mechanism for plaque control. There are different brushes and different technique that patients can use in maintaining a good oral hygiene.
These toothbrushes are the most common toothbrushes used devices for removing plaque. It can remove plaque from all 5 surfaces of the tooth. Chinese were the first to develop the manual brush in 16th century and then later it was introduced to the western world where it was developed and improved even more. Today we have a variety of manual toothbrushes and yet there’s not scientific evidence that suggests that one type of manual toothbrush works better then the other. All we hear on TV therefore is just based on commercial purposes. Even ADA ( American Dental Association) states that the proper toothbrush depends on 1- the method of toothbrushing used 2- the position of the teeth and the manipulation skills of the individual. However some characteristics that a toothbrush should meet differs from person to person: size, shape, texture, impervious to moisture, readily cleaned, durable and inexpensive.
The toothbrush bristles are made of nylon filaments which offer most of desired characteristics for a toothbrush. Today most of the toothbrushes are 5-10 tufts long and 2-3 tufts across. Multitufted toothbrushes have 10-12 tufts in 3-4 rows. The multitufted designs allow better delivery of the dentifrice in achieving better results in cleansing. All dental professionals today recommend soft nylon filament toothbrushes because they are less abrasive and less traumatic to the gingival tissue. Soft filament brushes are recommended for sulcular cleaning since researches have shown that they are more flexible and can penetrate better between teeth ( interproximal spaces ). The end of the toothbrush filaments are preferred to be blunt or rounded since to avoid gingival abrasion. Several other factors, besides quality of the bristles can affect the trauma caused by toothbrushing. Hard and worn bristles due to overuse overpressure applied from the user, improper brushing, and the type of the toothpaste used ( can be abrasive and damage the gingival tissue causing recession).
Its best to replace the toothbrush before the bristles become worn or frayed. The average life of a manual toothbrush is 2-3 months. However some dentists suggest that people should change their toothbrush anywhere between 2 weeks to a month because they are sources of pathogens, especially after an oral infection.
Dental clinicians as educators should be influential in helping consumers select the right toothbrush that is best for them. For most clients a soft multitufted toothbrush with rounded-end filaments, wide long handle for a better grasp, and a small enough head to adapt to all areas is the most desirable. If a client perceives benefits from a specific toothbrush then he should stick with it as long as it doesn’t have considerable disadvantages.
What about electrical toothbrushes? i ve heard they work better then mechanical