How to choose the right toothbrush: the dentist explains - Lifehacker

What's the best stiffness, are electric brushes good, and why natural bristles are a bad choice.

A new useful thread has appeared on Twitter. In it, your dentist explains how to choose the right toothbrush and what marketing tricks will not do you much good.

Which brushes to avoid

The birthday of the modern toothbrush is February 24, 1938, the day that animal bristles were replaced by nylon. Hurray, comrades! pic.twitter.com/vKMMk6L0zQ

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

But why in 2020 you can find ZSch (toothbrushes) with natural bristles? The answer lies among flat-earthers, anti-vaccinators, and well-performing marketers. pic.twitter.com/hQXn3e295c

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Never buy natural bristle brushes. They wear out many times faster, their fibers cannot be processed correctly, and most importantly: natural bristles with pores and spaces are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. pic.twitter.com/QhHGTH84by

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Do not use PP with rubber bristles. They are of no use, and gum massage is a very dubious procedure. In reality, they were added in order to reduce the cost of the production of PP, but marketers presented it very tasty and beautiful.

instagram viewer

pic.twitter.com/mnndAjwCJp

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

When to use soft brushes - and which ones

And now let's talk about all types of protective equipment. Toothbrushes with soft and ultra-soft bristles with a cosmic number of bristles - wow, cool! No, not cool, because they are prescribed for use for a couple of days after surgery. pic.twitter.com/FG7lu17TvT

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

I do not recommend using soft toothbrushes with a huge number of bristles on an ongoing basis - it has been tested on personal experience. Impossible to brush your teeth normally or brush 5+ minutes. pic.twitter.com/Cph91HC9YV

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

The only decent soft toothbrush option is with multi-level bristles. It is with the elongated bristles that you gently clean the gingival sulcus. Yes, it is necessary to get used to such brushes, but it is very effective and correct. pic.twitter.com/UlhuWAg1xV

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

The use of soft SPs because the gums bleed is wrong! The gums are bleeding due to inflammation against the background of dental plaque. You clean even worse with soft cleaning agents and grow even more plaque and stone. Vicious circle. Bleeding gums - go to the dentist.

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

How to choose the right brush of medium hardness

Medium hardness protection is the standard for home care. They are optimal for daily cleaning of food debris without injury to hard and soft tissues. But there are a lot of them, which ones to choose? pic.twitter.com/R5wbI1T6BD

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Try to choose with a medium-small work surface, never pick up large ZPs, you will not use them to clean the last chewing teeth.
* the far right 5 is a large working surface, 1,2,3 is normal * pic.twitter.com/nHiCzqnQwm

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

What are hard brushes for?

Hard protection - I only allow you to buy for cleaning removable dentures and caps. Well, or for sneakers. It is impossible to clean the teeth with such protection. You injure the gums and even the hard tissues of the tooth can suffer over the years. pic.twitter.com/y2qCcPCrFX

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Electric and sonic brushes

Are electrical safety shutters a salvation? No, this is just a SP for the lazy. You just drive from tooth to tooth, from surface to surface, but they are not a guarantee of perfect hygiene. pic.twitter.com/mgMer5YDIn

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

But EZSC is more expensive, attachments for them are more expensive, and the choice is yours. As a cool gadget with a display of cleaning success in a mobile application - super. Like a magic pill for plaque and stone - no. Children may be more suitable. pic.twitter.com/E26lIh31vT

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

There are also ultrasonic and sound protection devices. There are some studies proving its effectiveness in killing bacteria, but there is also a lot of research that when used correctly, a regular brush does not lose out to a mechanical one. pic.twitter.com/0rhuoJP64w

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

But if you are an elderly person or have some difficulty in manual skills - an electric safety shield is your salvation.

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Children's brushes

Addition. Children's toothbrushes.
Very important! Children need to brush their teeth from the first erupted tooth. For this there is a fingertip toothbrush. pic.twitter.com/OWZaZrItyI

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

From the first year of life, a child should already be taught to use soft nylon bristles on a toothbrush.
Working length about 15mm, handle about 10cm. pic.twitter.com/9GOudNZu3S

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

From two and three years of age, the size of the working surface increases to 20-25mm, but the bristles remain soft. pic.twitter.com/xoIB38r5rj

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Mechanical toothbrushes can be used from the age of three. Their assortment is huge, only your wallet will tell you with a choice. Some of them are already with mobile applications, which allows the child to be immersed in the process and better motivated. pic.twitter.com/79BBfClsUK

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Basically, the age is always indicated on children's SP, and the shape is adjusted according to the average anatomical features, so it is difficult to miss. Just choose what your child likes, give him a choice. pic.twitter.com/Hnofnj172Q

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

It is important to understand that in any case, brushing your teeth up to 7 years old is under the supervision of adults!
Brushing your teeth in movement and duration corresponds to an adult.
Children's SPs change in the same way as adults. Every 2-3 months.

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Basic recommendations

It is important to remember! Any SP should be changed every 2 months. Whether it be with a gold handle or from a super-ultrasonic. And this also applies to children. Even if the bristles look ok, they no longer clean adequately. pic.twitter.com/iPedsnLia8

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

But if after a couple of weeks your brush looks like an opened flower, change the brushing pressure and follow the rules for brushing your teeth. No longitudinal movements. Only from the gum to the edge of the tooth. pic.twitter.com/E6y9s7kXuL

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

The main thing you need to understand is that there is no magic that will make your teeth clean and healthy, except for your hands, the time and the regularity of brushing your teeth correctly. pic.twitter.com/BMgBM8AWez

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020

Brief conclusion.
ZSC of medium hardness, with nylon bristles without rubber inserts, small along the working surface, which changes every 2 months. pic.twitter.com/OHEgTgK4RO

- Sergio (@SerGo_o) August 8, 2020