What is the best toothbrush?

What's the best toothbrush? We need to talk about toothbrushes! Countless times throughout my professional life, clients have asked: "What's the best toothbrush? What's the best toothpaste?"“  

What are the characteristics of the best toothbrush? Soft bristles, possibly even extra soft. A small, narrow head to allow the bristles to reach hard-to-reach places. The height of the bristles? Equal bristles – all the same height.

We can't simply say, "this brand, that model." But we can indicate ideal generic characteristics that will result in a great product. So let's find out: Which is the Best Toothbrush?

What is the best toothbrush?

It's probably very difficult to say which is the best model or brand of toothbrush. There are basic characteristics that, if followed by the manufacturer, will allow for a product that, when used correctly, will fulfill its function.

There might be many better brushes and creams – they might even have wavy bristles, meaning some groups of bristles that stand out in height, but that won't add much advantage. It's good if these bristles have rounded tips – but you'll only be able to see that under a microscope.

To ensure adherence to these characteristics, there are regulatory bodies that will authorize the products to be sold. So, in principle, we should "believe" that what is on the market shelf has been approved for use.

When we point out these characteristics, we have in mind that the client will use the Bass Brushing Technique, ...or at least the principles on which this technique is based. But we will address that in another article.

Besides the traditional toothbrush, there are many auxiliary tools for removing plaque. There are brushes with special designs for people with implants, those undergoing orthodontic therapy, those with fixed partial dentures, and others. Not everyone needs them; most people can maintain their oral health with just a toothbrush and dental floss. But if you want to learn about other tools, you can check out another article: Cleaning Assistants.

And what about toothpicks?

Dear friends, I am not a radical opponent of toothpicks, but we need to explain a few things:

1. When sanitizing, the goal is to remove bacterial plaque; this is different from eliminating food residue that could cause discomfort or embarrassing situations for someone who has just eaten in a hurry on their way to work.

• Round toothpicks (with a rounded cross-section) were not made for removing plaque. They were made for skewering sausages at Sunday barbecues or appetizers on cold cuts platters. They may occasionally help to "pick your teeth" – of course, without damaging your teeth or gums – that's the premise of the first clause. But that's not removing plaque.

• Toothpicks don't harm your gums or teeth. What harms you is the person using the toothpick. Use them carefully. But I repeat, this is not proper hygiene.

• The toothpick that most closely resembles the function – removing plaque – is the old Portuguese toothpick! Figure 1. It has a triangular cross-section, but it has disappeared from the market. The only option I found online was on European websites: Jordan Clinic Dental Sticks – what a chic name!

• The triangular cross-section allows it to fit into the spaces between teeth. The increased contact with the tooth surfaces helps remove plaque, except in the situation shown in Figure 2. When used carefully, it is much better than toothpicks with a circumferential cross-section.

• Dental floss will still be a better option than toothpicks. The only reason to prefer toothpicks should be a lack of skill in flossing due to a motor impairment or a temporary inability to do so.

Dental floss

Dental floss or tape, with or without fluoride, waxed or not (to allow it to slide between teeth) – the important thing is to use it. Learning how to pass it between your teeth requires much more dedication to develop the necessary skill for effective hygiene.

But the fact is that there are tools unknown to most that make handling easier, especially "wire holder forks." Not always found in pharmacies and markets, they would be a great help for those who complain about not being able to do it or not having the patience.

For prostheses that connect teeth and prevent floss from passing through the interdental spaces, we can use dental floss threaders or Super Floss. We will discuss and present all these options in more detail in another article.

Mouthwash Solutions

There are two groups of mouthwashes: Fluoride Solutions and Antiseptic Mouthwashes.

Fluoridated solutions aim to supply fluoride to combat the decalcification of mineralized surfaces – enamel and dentin – these mouthwashes do not combat gingivitis and periodontitis, they only help in the prevention of cavities. Fluoridated solutions are most commonly indicated for young people and adolescents who have a higher risk of cavities.

Mouthwashes kill or inhibit the proliferation of bacteria that can cause tooth decay or gum disease. They are most commonly used by adults prone to periodontal disease.

These products are very helpful in combating plaque buildup, but you can't entrust them with more than they can handle. At most, they can reduce bacterial proliferation and, in some cases, kill many bacteria. Bacteria that are only killed but not mechanically removed (brushing and flossing) will turn into dead bacteria adhered to the tooth – which is the matrix for tartar formation.

So these mouthwashes don't replace brushing. They are important in post-surgery cases or in some acute situations of gingival or periodontal abscess, peri-coronal abscesses, GUNA (gingival ulcer-associated nephropathy), post-implants and post-protocol procedures. Under normal conditions, they are just another resource to achieve good hygiene.

What is the best toothbrush?

Finally, I want to reaffirm that what will determine the effectiveness of good hygiene is not the toothbrush itself. It is the hand that moves the brush that will be decisive for the success of this habit, provided that the toothbrush possesses the minimum characteristics presented at the beginning of this article.

I also want to introduce you to a Excellent video! This video demonstrates the application of the Bass Brushing Technique. It's not a complete video, but it gives a great idea of how to perform it. (Also, this...) another video The smaller version reveals other details of the technique.

Furthermore, you can check out this other article which presents several tools for Oral hygiene.

Author: Ana Cássia Johanson, Dental Technician.

suggestion https://saude.mpu.mp.br/noticias/como-escolher-sua-escova-dental