When it comes to taking care of our oral health, daily hygiene is undoubtedly the most important thing, which in turn includes toothbrushing. However, it is sometimes difficult to choose the ideal toothbrush for us.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to ask our hygienist, who will offer us specific guidelines and the perfect option for our case. Even so, today we would like to talk to you in our blog about this subject and offer you a small guide to make everything a little simpler.
Manual or electric toothbrush?
This is undoubtedly the queen of questions in any dental clinic around the world, and the first question that everyone always asks when deciding on a toothbrush. However, if this answer is still one of the most asked questions, it is because there is no correct and concrete answer to it. Both types of brushes have advantages (and therefore disadvantages) that we must take into account for our particular case, and choose accordingly:
The main advantage of the manual brush is obvious: its price, which is significantly lower than that of an electric car. It is also easier to transport as it does not weigh as much and does not need chargers. Still, most people choose to have an extra brush for travelling. On the other hand, the advantages of the electric The main advantages of the manual toothbrush are that it allows us to access more complicated areas than the manual one; its rotary movement, which allows better control of bacterial plaque; and its pressure regulation, which reduces the risk of abrasion of the tooth.
Hard or soft brush?
The next decision we have to make has to do with the hardness of the brush itself. The hard are generally discouraged by our hygienists, as increased pressure on the tooth can lead to further erosion of the tooth, causing tooth sensitivity or gum damage.
The soft, The so-called soft brushes have bristles that are less aggressive on gums and enamel, so they are often recommended for patients with tooth sensitivity or gingivitis, for example.
Those in medium hardness are therefore the most commonly used, as they are more flexible than hard ones and provide more effective cleaning than soft ones.
Auxiliary utensils
To conclude this article, I would like to stress once again the importance of the misnamed '...'.auxiliary elementsThe term 'oral hygiene' is a term from which dentists and hygienists differ precisely because of its fundamental role in taking care of our health. These are:
Dental flosshelp remove plaque and food debris under the gums and between the teeth.
Dental archOne end acts like a 'toothpick', allowing you to reach the most superficial debris, and the other end cleans deep into hard-to-reach interdental spaces. Many people find it more comfortable than flossing.
Interdental brushesare used to reach the spaces between the teeth where food debris accumulates that cannot be removed with a normal toothbrush. There are different sizes depending on the spaces to be covered. Although they are associated with the use of fixed orthodontics, due to their usefulness for cleaning between brackets, there are patients who simply prefer them, even if they do not use orthodontics.
We hope that this small guide will help to clear up your doubts, but if you want a personalised assessment adapted to your specific case, it is best to consult your hygienist the next time you have an appointment.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clinic!
Author: Cristina M. Machín