Different Types of Toothbrushes

Most people don’t know that early versions of the modern-day toothbrush have been around since 3000 B.C.  Of course, back then a toothbrush was more of a small twig with one end deliberately frayed which was then brushed against the teeth to eliminate food particles that were most likely causing pain. 

Fortunately, for those of us here in the 21st century, the mechanical design of the toothbrush has progressed. The bristle-covered brush used by most people today was first created in China in 1498, and while now you are able to select your toothbrush from a wide variety of styles, types, and colors, the underlying structure and purpose haven’t really changed all that much over the past 500 years. 

Kinds of Toothbrushes

When you are faced with the task of selecting a new toothbrush, you might start to feel a bit confused about all the different choices available to you. Toothbrushes come with many different variables, such as: 

Manual Toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes are the commonly purchased kind of toothbrush. The majority of dental patients enjoy using these basic brushes when it comes to cleaning their teeth. They are economical, available everywhere, and there are many styles, colors, and designs so you can find one that is a great fit for you. 

Some basic things you should keep in mind when picking out a manual toothbrush include:

Bristle firmness: A lot of people erroneously think that the harsher the bristles are, the cleaner your teeth will be. Brushing too heavily with a hard-bristled toothbrush, however, could easily ruin the enamel on your teeth and damage your delicate gums. Soft bristles are the recommended firmness for healthy teeth and gums.

Head shape: Most traditional toothbrush heads are rectangular. It is possible, however, to purchase diamond-shaped or round heads which are superior shapes when it comes to cleaning the not-so-accessible parts of your mouth. 

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are an extremely good alternative to manual toothbrushing because they require far less effort. Also, because the head of the electric toothbrush vibrates at an accelerated pace, certain people feel that they are actually capable of producing a really thorough cleaning. 

There are several different types of electric toothbrush including:

Rotating: The toothbrush head spins around in a circle

Oscillating: The toothbrush head moves from side to side 

Dual-head: The toothbrush head oscillates and rotates at the same time

Counter oscillating: The bristles on the toothbrush move in opposing directions

Sonic/Ultrasonic: An oscillating toothbrush that works at ultra-high speed 

If you would like any additional advice concerning the replacement of your current toothbrush or choosing a new type of toothbrush entirely, our licensed and dedicated team at the Del Mar office of Curtis L. Chan, DDS would be happy to help. 

If you would like any additional information concerning any of our other cosmetic or preventative dental procedures we urge you to schedule an appointment with a San Diego, California cosmetic dentist today by calling (858) 481-9090. 

Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve a beautiful, bright set of teeth in a comfortable, safe environment.