Introduction:
Which is the best toothpaste? How should a toothbrush be chosen? These are the two most common questions encountered by dentists in their practice on almost a daily basis. While toothpaste and toothbrush play an important role in maintaining good oral hygiene, there is relatively less care given in choosing them. For instance, people choose a certain toothpaste for its flavor, and some purchase it with a blind eye without giving much attention to what is their oral requirement. Also, as the options are more at present and each one claims to have a particular function, choosing the right type has become difficult. Markable care in choosing these oral hygiene aids as per the requirement is a necessity for effective oral care. Know the correct ways to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste by reading the article further.
What Is a Toothpaste and a Toothbrush?
One routine habit that has been practiced for ages, mostly as the first activity in the morning, is oral care. Oral care means keeping the teeth and the oral cavity clean. Oral care is one important factor that denotes or reveals the general health of an individual. The major and most common tools that are used for this purpose on an everyday basis are a toothbrush and a pump of toothpaste. Toothbrush and toothpaste are a combination of manual or mechanical (toothbrush) and chemical (toothpaste) cleansing of teeth. While using one of these can aid cleaning to a certain level, the efficiency of cleaning attained using them as a combination can never be achieved by using one of these single-handedly. Hence, they are one among the various pairing words used regularly.
What Are the Types of Toothbrushes?
There have been various advancements in toothbrushes in the past centuries. The three major categories of toothbrushes include; manual, electric, and sonic toothbrushes. They are further classified into other types based on several factors.
1. Manual Toothbrush:
Manual toothbrushes are the commonly used regular toothbrushes that are very affordable and readily available. They are handheld brushes that require manual pressure and movement to remove the debris and plaque from the teeth effectively. They are usually made of plastic, but nowadays, manual toothbrushes made of biodegradable materials like wood and bamboo are available as well. They are classified based on their design and pattern as follows;
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Based on the Hardness of the Bristles - Hard, medium, soft, and ultrasoft.
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Based on the Bristle Pattern - Flat, rippled, multilevel, crisscross, wavy, tapered, angled, beveled, etc.
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Based on the Handle - Classic, flexible, angled, and gripped.
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Based on the Toothbrush Head Shape - Round, square-shaped, and diamond-shaped.
2. Electric Toothbrush:
Electric toothbrushes are battery-operated or chargeable toothbrushes that are comparatively costlier when compared to manual toothbrushes. However, they are vibration-producing toothbrushes that are effective in plaque removal without much effort from the person using them. In addition, electric toothbrushes have control over the pressure applied, direction and way of brushing, brushing time, etc., which gives a lesser chance of brushing up on mistakes and the associated problems.
3. Sonic Toothbrush:
Though appearance-wise, there is no notable difference between sonic and electric toothbrushes; a sonic toothbrush produces vibrations at a faster rate. It, therefore, has an undeniable efficiency in removing plaque, almost four times more when compared to an electric toothbrush.
4. Interdental or Interproximal Toothbrush: As the name suggests, these brushes are specifically designed to remove the debris stuck in between teeth. Interdental brushes are small-sized brushes that are I-shaped, flexible, with multiple small tufts, and usually have an interchangeable handle. Also, the use of toothpaste is not recommended while using this brush as the bristles could get damaged.
5. Sulca Brush: Sulca brush is a single tufted (group of bristle filaments) brush with a short handle. It is used to clean the tooth area close to the gums; a sulca brush can reach and clean the sulcus that is present beneath the gum line as well. They are designed with ultra-soft bristles in such a way that it does not injure the gums. The sulca brushes are often used in combination with dental floss. The sulca brushes are named based on the area they clean, the sulcus.
6. End Tufted Toothbrush: It is a single tufted brush with a standard or regular toothbrush handle. It is designed for cleaning areas that are not accessible with a regular toothbrush and in patients with braces or implants. An end tufted toothbrush is usually used after regular brushing and can be used with toothpaste.
7. Chewable Toothbrush: These are small, soft, and chewable toothbrushes with an all-in-one action. They are put in the mouth and chewed; the chewing activity made using this brush aids in cleaning. They do not require toothpaste but have mouth freshener-like after-effects due to the presence of xylitol. Also, there is no variation in efficiency compared to traditional toothbrushing.
8. Kids Toothbrush: One other addition to the toothbrushes category is a kids toothbrush that is similar to the manual toothbrush but is designed in a smaller size, with very soft bristles and attractive colors and patterns.
9. Orthodontic Toothbrush: These are a variant of the regular manual toothbrushes with a beveled or bristle pattern, small head, and narrow neck to aid effective oral hygiene in patients wearing dental braces.
What Are the Types of Toothpaste?
Toothpaste is a chemical-based oral hygiene tool with abrasive properties due to the presence of certain abrasive chemicals. Though almost all the ingredients contained in different toothpaste varieties are the same, based on the problem of focus, the ingredients list varies by one or two. Following are some of the common toothpaste types available:
1. Fluoridated Toothpaste: Fluoride is one of the most important minerals required to protect teeth from decay and damage. It is always recommended to select a toothpaste with fluoride. However, the dosage of fluoride in toothpaste should not exceed the advised limit. It is always safe to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist before you start using fluoridated toothpaste.
2. Calculus or Tartar Control Toothpaste: As the name suggests, this toothpaste is meant to prevent and diffuse the accumulated plaque and calculus but only to an extent.
3. Desensitizing Toothpaste: One common dental problem faced by a majority of the population is tooth sensitivity. Desensitizing toothpaste is specifically designed to control sensitivity by protecting the nerve ending from tooth sensitivity-causing stimuli. But using it routinely without any tooth sensitivity can decrease its efficacy in times of need.
4. Whitening Toothpaste: As they claim, they are used to whiten the yellowish or mild brownish stained teeth. They contain abrasives that act to remove the stains. This toothpaste can remove only limited stains; the rest require professional cleaning.
5. Toothpaste Meant for Children or Kids Toothpaste: Kids toothpaste is made for use in children who have primary or milk teeth as the majority. They are made in a formulation that does not harm even if swallowed, as children tend to swallow their toothpaste. But, it is always better and safe to teach children to spit out toothpaste after brushing. They are available in various colors and flavors in a way to attract children and encourage them to brush their teeth.
6. Herbal Toothpaste: In addition to the traditional formulation in toothpaste, there are herbal variants available as well. They are formulated to target dental problems using traditional spices and herbs. They are preferred by certain populations as well.
What Is the Ideal Toothbrush and Toothpaste Combination?
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Choosing the right toothbrush means selecting a brush based on the oral requirement.
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For example, If under braces treatment, using an orthodontic toothbrush; similarly, if there is noticeable spacing and food lodgement in between teeth, using an interdental brush to clean it in addition to regular brushing, and so on.
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Similarly, when choosing the toothpaste, the oral condition and requirement are kept as the deciding factors and are chosen accordingly.
Following are the ideal requirements for the regular use of toothbrush and toothpaste:
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A small-headed toothbrush with soft bristles is an ideal recommended toothbrush regardless of the bristle pattern and head shape, which are left to personal preferences.
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The most commonly recommended consistency of toothpaste is a paste form rather than the gel form. As per the toothpaste quantity, pea-sized toothpaste is always the sufficient and right amount.
Which Is the Best: Manual or Electric Toothbrushes?
This is one prevalent question among the population. It is acceptable that electric toothbrushes are more effective, as claimed, considering their control of the pressure applied, brushing time, and technique. But, it does not mean that the same results cannot be achieved by using a manual toothbrush. Selecting the right manual toothbrush, using it for not more than two minutes, and brushing in the right direction using the recommended pressure can be as effective as using the electric tooth, also at a relatively low cost.
What Is the Right Way to Brush Teeth?
Using the right toothbrush and toothpaste alone cannot aid an efficient cleaning; brushing in the right way is necessary too. The recommended brushing technique is angulating the toothbrush at 45 degrees and brushing in a sweeping motion away from the gums in short strokes (modified bass technique), and using circular motions is also recommended. Brushing for a longer period can again cause tooth damage; brushing for not more than two minutes is the ideal brushing time.
Conclusion:
A carefully selected toothbrush and toothpaste combination can help in the effective removal of the food debris and plaque from the teeth surface on a daily basis which in turn makes the oral diseases and problems a lot lesser than otherwise. Therefore, taking time to choose the right kind of these oral hygiene tools will make every dental appointment a positive experience rather than a dreadful one that most of us will agree on!
