When it is said...

Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Why do we brush our teeth, and what exactly are we removing?

Dental PLAQUE! Dental microbial plaque is a highly organised layer made up of large numbers of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth and can subsequently cause oral diseases.

Plaque cannot be removed by a stream of water! It adheres to the surface of the teeth and dental restorations and can only be removed mechanically – with a TOOTHBRUSH! Plaque causes gum disease and tooth decay. If oral hygiene is neglected, the first signs of gum inflammation can appear within just 3 days, progressing to a chronic stage after only 5–7 days. In the case of tooth decay, where bacteria have to break down hard dental tissues, the process of tooth damage takes longer.

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush?

When choosing the right toothbrush, we should consider three key criteria:

a small toothbrush head, so that we can comfortably reach the teeth at the back of the jaw and clean them thoroughly
a soft toothbrush, so that it does not damage the protective layer of tooth enamel, as damage to this layer can lead to tooth sensitivity
densely packed bristles with an even trim, so that the bristles can reach and remove plaque from every millimetre of the tooth surface

For hard-to-reach areas of the teeth, a single-tufted toothbrush is recommended. It can effectively clean even difficult-to-reach areas of the mouth. Special toothbrushes are available for patients with fixed braces, dental implants, dentures and other dental appliances, and can be purchased from most retailers.