What Are the Different Toothbrush Types?

Toothbrush Types

You’re brushing your teeth when a dull pain shoots through your gums. When you set the brush down, you notice blood in the bristles.

You either have a serious gum problem, or you’re using the wrong toothbrush. If the bristles are too hard for you, it will cause gum irritation and bleeding. If you are facing frequent gum bleeding, we would recommend the scaling services by a cosmetic dentist in batavia IL.

It’s possible that using a manual brush isn’t for you.  There are many toothbrush types on the market. You might need an electric one or something a little different.

Want to learn more about the options that are available to you? Check out his guide to learn more about the different types of toothbrushes.

Manual Brush

The manual toothbrush is the most common one that you’ll come across. They’re stocked on the shelves at stores everywhere. They come in several different varieties.

Head Shape

Most head shapes are either square or round. These will work for adults that don’t have any issues brushing their teeth. If you have unique needs, you should look for a brush with a diamond-shaped head.

They’re awesome for people with tiny mouths. They have a smaller head that can reach a person’s back teeth.

Bristle Hardness and Pattern

Out of all the different types of toothbrush bristles, soft ones are the best. They work for most individuals, especially if said individuals have sensitive teeth.

If you don’t have sensitive teeth and you’re having problems with plaque build-up, you might have to opt for a hard or medium bristled brush. They may hurt your gums and wear away at your enamel if you brush too hard, but they’re effective.

There are a lot of different bristle patterns. The most common are tapered, wavy, and crisscross. Wavy bristles are good for getting the spaces around adjacent teeth.

Crisscross bristles lift plaque and get rid of stains. It’s easy for tapered bristles to get in those hard-to-reach areas. If you’re not sure which bristle type is right for your oral health needs, Brentwood Dental can help you pick out the right one.

Handle Design

There are three different handle designs you should be looking out for. These are flexible, straight, and no-slip grip. The one you choose should be able to comfortably fit in both your hand and mouth.

If it’s too big, you won’t be able to get to the hard-to-reach areas in the back of your mouth.

Electric Toothbrush

If you want that fresh from the dentist’s office feeling every time you brush your teeth, an electric toothbrush will be right up your alley. The bristles rotate to lift plaque away from even the most stubborn areas.

Of course, this extra cleaning power doesn’t come without a price. They can be expensive, but they’re easy to use and come with a ton of helpful features. For example, some models have a timer.

There are two different types of electric toothbrushes. The regular generic brush, the rotating brush, and the sonic brush.

Rotating Brush

Rotating brushes have a small head that’s made to take care of each tooth individually. They rotate and pulsate at the same time to kick plaque and stains to the curb.

They’re great for those hard-to-reach molars in the back that you can’t seem to scrub clean with a normal brush.

Sonic Brush

If you don’t want to change up how you normally clean your teeth, the sonic electric brush is for you. You turn it on and go about your oral routine. It has an oval-shaped head that pulsates in vertical movement.

Inter-Dental

Inter-dental brushes are given to those who have braces. The small head gets in between the wires. You don’t have to have braces to use these brushes, however.

Making them a part of your normal brushing routine can help cut down on plaque and reduce your chances of developing gum disease.

Sulcabrush

A sulcabrush is shaped like an arrow. Its purpose is to clean around your gum line. It’s also great for getting around crowns, crowded teeth, and bridgework.

End-Tuft Brush

An end-tuft brush is a small head cleaning utensil that is comprised of seven tufts of nylon bristles. The handle is ergonomic, making it easy to maneuver around hard-to-reach areas such as molars and wisdom teeth.

It’s also ideal for cleaning around implants and dentures. As you can see, it can simply get to places where other types of toothbrushes cannot.

Baby Toothbrush

The head of these toothbrushes has to be small to fit in a baby’s mouth. The handles are often large because adults have to hold them.

Some baby toothbrushes slip onto the parent’s finger. The bristles are soft and gentle on the little one’s sensitive gums.

Travel Toothbrush

Plaque doesn’t care if you’re on vacation. That means you’ve got to at least pack a travel toothbrush with you. They’re small and compact enough to fit into a carrying case.

You could also use a chewable toothbrush for this purpose. They fit inside the mouth and come in all sorts of different flavors. Once you’re done with it, toss it in the garbage.

Your Guide to the Different Toothbrush Types

Using the wrong toothbrush can be detrimental to your oral health routine. You don’t want to use a brush that’s going to make your gums bleed.

Switch between the different toothbrush types until you find one that works for you. If you’re having difficulty, your family dentist will be able to point you in the right direction.

Are you looking for more ways to up your oral care routine? Check out the Health section of our blog for all the latest tips and tricks.

What Are the Different Toothbrush Types?

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