Toothbrushes vary in design and specifications to suit a variety of dental needs. Different toothbrushes can give different results, so you might want to experiment with various types of toothbrushes. The exact toothbrush you choose will depend on your dental needs and your own preferences. You can opt for manual, electric, or even ecological options. If you ever have questions about the type of toothbrush you need, ask your Lovett Dental Jersey Village general dentist during your next cleaning visit.
Types of Toothbrushes
Manual toothbrushes are the most popular type of toothbrush for teeth cleaning. They often are available in different bristle strengths. Soft bristles work for most people. However, your Lovett Dental Jersey Village dentist may recommend medium or hard if you need to remove a lot of plaque on your teeth from time to time. If you choose medium or hard bristles, make sure not to brush too hard.
Manual toothbrushes also differ in their shape. You can have the head of the toothbrush in the shape of a diamond, square, or oval. The diamond shape allows you to reach the side and back molars better than the standard oval shape.
Electric toothbrushes are more expensive than manual toothbrushes, and you need to charge them or replace batteries. With electric toothbrushes, you turn them on and simply slide them over your teeth. Some electric toothbrushes have timers set to two minutes. After two minutes, the toothbrush turns off by itself. Electric toothbrushes come in different strengths, such as standard power or sonic.
There are also toothbrushes like end-tuft toothbrushes, Sulcabrushes, and ecological toothbrushes that are for special dental needs. Ecological toothbrushes use biodegradable materials such as wood for the handle and bamboo for the bristles.
Manual or Electric?
While both manual and electric toothbrushes effectively clean your teeth, some studies show that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing oral plaque and reducing gingivitis. Electric toothbrushes may also be better for those with limited mobility in their wrists, hands, or arms. A Lovett Dental Jersey Village dentist may recommend an electric toothbrush if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis, for example.
Another benefit an electric toothbrush has over a manual is its built-in timer. When you’re in a rush, it may be difficult to remember to brush your teeth for at least two minutes. The electric toothbrush does the counting for you, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of the minutes.
A disadvantage of electric toothbrushes is their cost. These can cost a lot more than a manual toothbrush. Also, if the battery is dead when it’s time to brush your teeth, you’ll simply have to wait until it has charged.
Why Use a Specialized Toothbrush?
At Lovett Dental Jersey Village, we often give our customers specific notes on how they should brush their teeth. Sometimes, we recommend specialized toothbrushes that can penetrate hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. If you have crowded teeth, crowns, or you have had bridgework done, we may recommend the Sulcabrush. The Sulcabrush has an arrow shape and allows you to get to the gums that are between the teeth. It is also a great brush to use if you have difficulty flossing.
We may also recommend the end-tuft brush, which is a circular-shaped toothbrush. This design helps you reach your wisdom teeth and back molars. Inter-dental toothbrushes are ideal for getting in between the wires of braces. We highly recommend that you use specialized toothbrushes together with your regular toothbrush.
Contact Lovett Dental Jersey Village Today for More Toothbrush Information
Lovett Dental Jersey Village is a multidisciplinary dental office that offers general dentistry as well as specialized dental services. When you need cosmetic dentistry or services like a root canal, we can recommend the exact type of toothbrush you will need to help care for your teeth. We offer dental advice for root canals, veneers, implant-supported dentures, or braces.
To find out more about what we provide or to schedule a cleaning, contact Lovett Dental at 281-890-5002 today. We will be happy to discuss our services.