Brush heads are generally square or diamond-shaped. Square heads effectively clean every surface of the teeth. Diamond-shaped heads have a more pointed tip than square heads, making them easier to reach deep into the mouth. Toothbrushes with any head shape can clean teeth, but the size of the brush head should be considered based on factors such as mouth size, mouth opening, and personal habits. Smaller heads are recommended to ensure they reach deeper into the mouth and allow for flexible movement to reach the back teeth. However, there is no universal standard. Children's toothbrushes should be designed for children.
The bristles should be of moderate firmness or slightly softer. However, be aware that bristles that are too soft may not clean thoroughly. Bristles are often made of nylon filament and can be roughly divided into domestic and imported filaments. Imported filaments are more flexible and less prone to deformation. Pointed filaments are made of PBT. The bristle finish is also important. If the bristles are not rounded after cutting, they can be sharp and cause damage. A toothbrush with rounded bristles can prevent this damage and provide better gum protection.
Traditional toothbrushes generally have straight handles, making them easier to use. Curved handles allow for deeper, harder-to-reach areas of the mouth. Flexible handles are said to prevent gum damage from excessive pressure. A non-slip handle prevents the brush from slipping while brushing. In reality, no single handle design is guaranteed to provide specific cleaning benefits. You can choose based on your preference.
After each brushing session, rinse your toothbrush with clean water and shake dry. Store it in a dry, ventilated place with the brush head facing upward. Over time, toothbrushes can harbor bacteria, which is detrimental to oral health. Therefore, if the bristles curl, they should be replaced at least every three months.
Spray Toothbrush
A spray toothbrush is a device that atomizes liquid toothpaste, spraying it onto your teeth. Spray toothbrushes come in both manual and electric spray styles. A manual spray toothbrush is a compressed air bottle with a toothbrush head attached, and the bottle serves as the toothbrush handle. The principle of a compressed air bottle is similar to that of a common gel water bottle. The technical features of a manual spray toothbrush are: liquid toothpaste is contained in the compressed air bottle in the toothbrush handle, and the toothbrush head has a toothpaste channel and a nozzle, which is hidden among the toothbrush bristles. Liquid toothpaste is sprayed out of the nozzle. A soft rubber one-way valve seals the nozzle, preventing bacteria and saliva from entering the toothpaste channel and ensuring the quality of the toothpaste in the channel.
An electric spray toothbrush has a can of aerosol toothpaste in its handle. The toothbrush head has a toothpaste channel and a nozzle, which is hidden among the toothbrush bristles. A soft rubber one-way valve also seals the nozzle. Air pressure pushes the soft rubber one-way valve to spray out of the nozzle. When you turn on an electric toothbrush, aerosol toothpaste sprays onto your teeth in a measured, timed, and controlled manner. Regardless of how the bristles vibrate, the aerosol toothpaste maintains full contact with your teeth and is fully effective. When liquid toothpaste runs out, you can refill the can.
Electric toothbrushes
With technological advancements, there are many different types of electric toothbrushes. Some typically use vibration and rotation to clean teeth, while others use pulses and water jets. Ordinary electric toothbrushes, which cost just a few yuan, simply vibrate and rotate, with high frequency and force, and are fixed. They generally do not harm teeth and gums and provide a very thorough cleaning, but they are expensive.
Electric toothbrushes are particularly suitable for people with limited manual dexterity who cannot apply force to their teeth. However, electric toothbrushes are not particularly recommended for the average person.
The bristles of an electric toothbrush rotate, so the brush needs to rest on each tooth surface for a certain period of time, reaching all three tooth surfaces to achieve a cleansing effect, which is time-consuming. Therefore, using an electric toothbrush requires patience to truly clean your teeth. Simply placing the toothbrush in your mouth without moving it up and down synchronously won't thoroughly clean the bacteria in specific areas like the pits and fissures, gum sulci, and crevices between teeth, which can also lead to dental problems. While properly used, electric toothbrushes do remove plaque and prevent caries and periodontitis, these effects are no different from those of a regular toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes simply change the way people brush their teeth; they can't completely replace the role of cleaning teeth.