How a toothbrush is made. Hard toothbrush: how to make it very soft at home? Sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes
For every modern person, a toothbrush is an integral part of hygiene. Most people know that they need to brush their teeth at least twice a day and periodically buy new brushes. But not everyone knows how to make the right choice when buying a brush. And an improperly selected brush can cause injury to the gums, damage to the enamel, and even the development of oral diseases, such as stomatitis.
How to choose the right toothbrush? What to pay attention to in the first place and what should be considered in such a choice? We will try to cover the main aspects of choosing a toothbrush for an ordinary person without any serious problems with teeth or gums.
We study the material of the toothbrush
In the manufacture of modern toothbrushes, synthetic materials are usually used. Also sometimes you can find brushes made of natural bristles. At first glance, it may seem that the "natural" brush is much better, but it is not at all the case. Natural bristle brushes are unhygienic, as bacteria can multiply inside the hairs, and this contributes to the development of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity.
Another disadvantage of natural bristles is their brittleness. After the hair breaks, there is a sharp edge that can injure the gums. There is no way to round these tips. In addition, natural bristles are highly absorbent, and this also contributes to the growth of bacteria in them. Another disadvantage of a bristle brush is excessive softness. Such a brush will not clean the plaque very well, so cleaning will be ineffective.
The world's first toothbrush appeared about 500 years ago in China, and it was made from pig bristle, badger and horse hair.
Choosing a toothbrush is one of the rare moments when you should not give preference to a natural product. In all respects, brushes made of synthetic materials are better than natural ones. Only people with allergies to synthetic materials should choose natural brushes.
Selecting the degree of hardness
In total, there are four degrees of hardness of toothbrushes - very soft, soft, medium and hard. The designations usually indicate on the packaging: “sensitive” - a very soft brush, “soft” - soft, “medium” - medium, “hard” - hard. In addition, there are "extra-hard" brushes, they are used by people with increased plaque formation, or with special orthopedic or orthodontic constructions.
Very soft brushes are intended for or people with gum disease, such as periodontitis or non-carious enamel lesions, in which the enamel is not fully developed or does not exist at all. Use such brushes only after consulting a dentist.
Soft toothbrushes are usually recommended for bleeding gums, during pregnancy and lactation, and for patients with diabetes. In such situations, brushing your teeth should be correct and as gentle as possible. The same gentle cleaning method is used for bleeding gums.
The first electric toothbrush appeared in Switzerland, according to various sources, in 1939 or after World War II.
A hard toothbrush is commonly used by heavy smokers or coffee drinkers, and by people with increased plaque buildup. Only people with strong enamel and healthy gums can use such a brush.
Features of the location of the bristles
High-quality modern toothbrushes very often combine bristles of different stiffness. All bristles are collected in bundles, and the bundles are arranged in rows. Depending on the nature of the arrangement of the bristle bundles, one-, two-, three- and multi-level brushes are distinguished. In good brushes, the bristle tufts are rounded and placed at a distance of 2.2-2.5 mm between rows. One tuft usually contains 20-40 setae. The bundles are arranged parallel or at an angle to each other.
Depending on the location of the bristle bundles, three types of brushes are distinguished: treatment-and-prophylactic, hygienic and special.
On hygienic brushes, all bundles are parallel and have the same length. Such brushes are practically not used anymore, as they do not clean the entire surface of the tooth well and leave a lot of plaque between the teeth.
On therapeutic and prophylactic brushes, the bristles are arranged in several levels. Higher and straight beams clean the interdental space, shorter ones clean the chewing surfaces of the teeth, soft oblique beams clean the gingival groove and cervical interdental area without injuring it. At the front end of such brushes, there is often a large inclined beam that penetrates deep into the interdental spaces and cleans the “sevens” and “eights” well. In addition, the brush field can have various rubber inserts for gum massage and teeth polishing. Such brushes are the most popular and in demand today.
A 2003 poll in the United States showed that the main invention of a person, without which it is impossible to live, people consider a toothbrush.
Special brushes, which are available in single-beam or low-beam types, are used to clean uneven teeth, clean teeth around orthodontic structures, as well as clean teeth with orthodontic structures and.
Electric toothbrushes (Video)
Special attention deserves electric toothbrushes, which have been gaining more and more popularity in the settlement over the years. Clinical studies have confirmed that electric toothbrushes clean much better and take less time to brush. You can clean your teeth qualitatively in just two minutes, which is important if you don’t have time for work in the morning.
An electric toothbrush keeps the bristles moving evenly, which helps reduce wear and tear on the tooth tissue and does not irritate the gums. Some models of electric toothbrushes can also neutralize bacteria using ultrasound. But there are contraindications to their use. Electric toothbrushes are not suitable for people who have had periodontal or oral cancer surgery. You should not use such a brush and people with tooth mobility of the 3rd degree, stomatitis and hypertrophic.
When buying an electric toothbrush, it is necessary to take into account the same parameters as when choosing a conventional toothbrush, this is the quality and shape of the bristles, their number and stiffness. In addition, it is necessary to take into account some characteristic features, such as the speed of operation, head movements, weight and type of power supply.
12% of people worldwide use electric toothbrushes today.
Before buying a brush, you need to clarify what movements the head makes. The best option is reciprocating, and reciprocating ones are much inferior to them. In addition, a good brush has several speeds and can be powered by batteries and rechargeable batteries. The optimal weight of the brush is 100-200 g, if it is heavier, the hand will get very tired while brushing your teeth.
Important little things when choosing a brush
When choosing a brush, it is necessary to take into account some aspects that may seem insignificant to a non-specialist. It is important to pay attention to the length of the working part. It should capture several teeth at the same time - ideally 2-2.5. This allows you to achieve the best cleaning of the chewing group of teeth.
The brush head or its working part should be rounded. This reduces the risk of injury to the delicate oral mucosa. The back side of the head should be made of soft material, preferably rough. The presence of such material allows you to clean the mucous membrane from microorganisms.
Since the 60s of the last century, mankind has patented more than 3,000 different models of toothbrushes.
It is very good if the junction of the head and the handle is movable, this allows you to automatically adjust the force of pressure on the areas of hard and soft tissues and significantly reduce their risk. The handle of the brush should be thick enough, with rubberized inserts, so it will be comfortable to hold and it will not slip during cleaning.
Useful information about toothbrushes
Most people think that they should change their toothbrush every two months. This statement is practically true. It is necessary to change the brush when its bristles begin to bend and stick out to the sides, and this usually happens after 1-3 months of using it. In addition, it is worth replacing the brush after a viral or bacterial disease. This will help to avoid re-infection and possible inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
Allow the brush to dry well between uses, this will significantly reduce the number of microorganisms on it, and will also help maintain the hardness and shape of the bristles for a long time. The best option for storing the brush is in a glass with the head up. But you should not store brushes in different cases, as this negatively affects their service life and promotes the growth of microorganisms on them.
According to statistics, about half of all toothbrushes sold are fakes. To minimize the risk of buying low-quality goods, it is necessary to buy brushes exclusively in pharmacies.
Scientists have proven that those who have healthy and strong teeth have a much better memory than those who do not follow this part of the body.
Most people habitually brush their teeth with horizontal movements, moving the brush along the dentition. This is wrong, as it contributes to the concentration of plaque in the interdental spaces, and it is not easy to clean them without that.
A set of oral hygiene products is not limited to a toothbrush. To provide your teeth with high-quality cleaning, you need to choose the right one and it is desirable to have several varieties of them at home. You will also need interdental brushes, which help to clean the gaps between the teeth well, toothpicks and dental floss, as well as rinses and mouth elixirs.
Every self-respecting person monitors oral hygiene. His health, personal life, career depend on it. Fresh breath encourages the interlocutor to communicate, so it is necessary to use cleaning products for the oral cavity. The most common personal hygiene item is the brush. People use it almost from infancy. Not all adults know how to choose it, how to care for it and how often to change it.
If you approach this issue through the sleeves, there is a risk of spoiling not only the enamel of the teeth, but also the gums. You can bring the situation to chronic diseases, which are impossible to get rid of.How to approach the purchase, what nuances to pay special attention to? How to make the brush very soft and what are the scenarios?
How to choose a toothbrush?
Modern perfumery stores and pharmacies offer the buyer a variety of personal care products. Many choose a brush in appearance. This is not the main aspect. How to choose the one that suits you?
The first thing you should pay attention to is what the bristles are made of. The one who thinks that natural is best suited is mistaken. The bristles must be made from artificial materials. The fact is that in the process of using natural fibers, bacteria are born inside them, and this can lead to various diseases of the oral cavity. Yes, and their fibers are too soft, and the ends can destroy the surface of the teeth.
Varieties of brushes according to the degree of rigidity
The stiffness of the bristle depends on the diameter of the fibers from which it is made. The thicker the fiber, the stiffer it is. The degree of hardness is written on the brush or on the packaging. There are very soft, soft, medium, hard toothbrushes.
Very soft is recommended for small children, people with sensitive teeth. Soft - for older children (5-12 years old) and people with oral problems: bleeding, periodontal disease, damaged enamel. Hard brushes are best suited for teenagers and adults.
Hard brushes are used after consultation with a dentist. Otherwise, you risk damaging your gums and scratching your enamel.
Ways to soften at home
Many people in practice were convinced that they do not feel the desired effect when buying soft or medium-hard brushes. When brushing your teeth, they damage the gums, causing bleeding. This can be avoided. A few folk remedies to make your toothbrush even softer and the brushing process enjoyable:
water
There are several ways to soften a brush:
- Turn on hot water. It does not have to be boiling water - just the temperature of the water suitable for the body. Rinse your toothbrush for 10 minutes.
- Then you need to draw water of the same temperature into a container and leave the brush in it overnight. Feel the bristles - it has become softer.
- Boil water in a kettle. Cool the boiling water to a temperature suitable for the body. Then follow the steps described above. If the water is too hot, it may warp the toothbrush.
Using mouthwash
It is necessary to pour mouthwash into a glass, but not to the brim - 100 ml is enough. The main thing is that the rinse aid completely covers the bristles. Using this method, you can soften old dried brushes that have not been used for a long time. The effectiveness of this method has long been proven - at home, softening the brush with rinse aid is real.
Hydrogen peroxide solution
The method is also effective in making the toothbrush soft. A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution will do. The advantage of using it is saving time and money, because it is very cheap, and it can be found in the medicine cabinet of any housewife. It is enough to fill the container by a third with a solution of peroxide and leave the brush in it for about 5 minutes. After this procedure, you need to rinse it thoroughly. Now she is ready to use.
Aloe vera
Aloe Vera softens and moisturizes the skin. It turns out that toothbrush bristles are no exception. 3 stages of toothbrush softening:
- fill a third of the glass with aloe vera gel;
- place a toothbrush in it so that the liquid completely hides the bristles;
- wait about 10 minutes - and the toothbrush is ready to fight caries and bacteria.
The most common ways to soften a toothbrush at home have been discussed above. If we compare these options with each other, they are almost identical in efficiency. No special costs are required - the ingredients are either cheap or completely free. The choice is yours. Remember that people who take care of their teeth smile more often.
We all understand how important good oral care is, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day for at least a couple of minutes, daily cleaning of the interdental spaces with a special floss (floss) and regular visits to the dentist.
What if it's fake?
How to distinguish a good and high-quality toothbrush from a bad "fake" one?
Here are a few highlights:
1. A good toothbrush costs at least one US dollar in ruble equivalent.
2. You should always look at the quality of the packaging: as a rule, on the reverse side, the place where the package was opened is punched with a dotted line.
3. The handle of the toothbrush is rubberized in the place where it is held by hand, on the “left” brushes there is just plastic of a different color, often rough stamping, molding defects are often visible.
4. The bristles on good brushes are even, collected in bunches, on the “left” ones, the bunches are often uneven.
5. A very important point is that the bristles of good brushes are made of special materials, and the “left” ones are made of fishing line, which is rougher to the touch than the bristles of good brushes, and after the first use, the bundles of such brushes lose their original shape.
Choose
The first criterion when choosing a brush will, of course, be the quality of the bristles:
All toothbrushes are divided into:
Very soft (sensitive);
Soft (soft);
Medium hardness (medium);
Rigid (hard);
Very hard (extra-hard).
Each type of bristle is designed for a different kind of use. For example, very soft ones are intended for children, as well as for adults with diseases of the oral cavity and non-carious damage to the teeth. But hard and very hard brushes are used by adults with healthy periodontal tissues, such brushes clean out dental deposits.
What are modern toothbrushes made of? 
In the manufacture of synthetic fibers are used. The manufacturing technology is simple: microvilli are applied to each bristle, which create a kind of polymer coating. This technology is very simple and the good thing is that your teeth are cleaned not only by the tips of the toothbrush, but also by the sides, thus increasing the efficiency of the toothbrush. There are brushes with natural bristles. They are used by people with sensitive teeth.
In order to choose a toothbrush by size, you need to consider the following. A good toothbrush is optimal if it covers 2-3 teeth at once. But many experts say that for a better cleaning of the teeth, a smaller head size is suitable, allowing access to hard-to-reach places. To better clean your teeth, the tip of the toothbrush is tapered and rounded.
For children a special approach
Children's teeth are most exposed to adverse effects. Therefore, children need to buy brushes with soft bristles. It turns out that brushing your teeth should start at an early age. If the baby is 4-24 months old, then the brush should be of a certain shape: an elongated, voluminous handle with rubber plastic, as it is designed for the parent's hand.
The ideal option for a baby is a brush with a rounded head, with multi-level bristles of a convex shape, the bristles should contain at least 5 rows. There must be a place for cleaning the tongue, massaging the gums, this is very important especially when teething temporary teeth.
For an older child, you need a brush with a small handle that is designed for a children's brush. Special children's paste will not hurt either.
Electric toothbrushes
An electric toothbrush is an electromechanical device. It consists of a working part - a head, a body and a self-powered electric motor located inside the handle.
Electric toothbrushes are usually powered by rechargeable batteries and have a charger. They usually take 45 minutes. work without recharging. The brushes have a timer (2-3 minutes). With strong pressure, the sensor provides automatic shutdown of the vibrational movement of the toothbrush.
Electric toothbrushes make from 7,000 to 10,000 strokes per minute, thus cleaning the surface of the tooth very well, but are very abrasive and can damage weak enamel.
Electric toothbrushes have multiple removable heads with different color coding for use by multiple family members.
- Slowly move the brush head from tooth to tooth, holding the brush for a few seconds on the surface of each tooth.
- Brush your gums just like your teeth, first from the outside, then from the inside.
- Don't press too hard on the brush or rub your teeth with it, just let the brush do its job.
Sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes can generate sonic or ultrasonic vibrations of the head and bristles.
Sonic toothbrushes produce a characteristic sound and visible vibrations (250-500Hz).
The vibrations generated by ultrasonic toothbrushes (1.6 MHz) are invisible and inaudible.
The effectiveness of the cleaning action of sonic and ultrasonic brushes is based on the fact that when the head and bristles vibrate in the oral cavity, active microcirculation of the liquid occurs, due to which plaque is washed off. The resulting bubbles increase the cleansing effect.
Ultrasonic brushes have the added benefit of a cleansing action. Ultrasound neutralizes bacteria even at a depth of 5 mm under the gum. The use of ultrasonic brushes reduces gum bleeding, reduces inflammation, and helps to remove plaque.
When is it time to change?
Even a child knows that over time, a toothbrush becomes unusable. The bristles lose their shape, become contaminated with microorganisms, begin to fluff, loosen, shorten, thus injuring the gums.
The term of a toothbrush depends on many factors: how often a person brushes his teeth, how long the brushing session lasts, what is the pressure force, and of course the composition of the toothpaste.
The first signal to replace the toothbrush is the loss of its original appearance.
Today, brushes are sold that have a wear indicator - special bundles of bristles that are dyed with food coloring. In this case, wear occurs in the event of discoloration of the colored bristles.
In addition, if you have been ill with acute respiratory infections, flu, tonsillitis, then after these diseases it is best to change your toothbrush.
In no case do not buy toothbrushes for 15-20 rubles. Because they pose a direct threat to health. It often happens that people are driven by cheapness and take such toothbrushes. But it is better not to risk the health of your gums and teeth.
Be sure to consult a specialist dentist or periodontist before choosing a toothbrush. They will tell you which brush to choose that is right for you.
Helpful Hints
Toothbrushes should be changed every 2-3 months, and sometimes even more often.
But where to put the used brush? Many people just throw it away.
However, you should not immediately resort to such measures, because the old toothbrush e you can find another application .
In this compilation, you will be able to see the most useful tips for using an old toothbrush, and you will be surprised how many options there are and how much more benefit it can bring to you.
How to clean things at home
1. Removing pencil marks from the walls.
Apply shaving foam to the pencil marks and start scrubbing with a toothbrush. It's amazing how such traces disappear.
2. Cleaning the cutting board.
Stubborn food remains can also be removed from the cutting board with a brush. It penetrates deep and cleans well.
3. Nail cleaning.
Clean the dirt under your nails with a regular toothbrush. Best applied to the brush at a little liquid soap, and after cleaning the nails will shine.
4. Cleaning the sole.
Sometimes the mud sticks strongly to the soles, especially when it has dried. This problem can be corrected with a toothbrush (preferably hard).
How to clean tiles
5. Removing stains on the floor.
Apply toothpaste (preferably with a whitening effect) to the floor and brush the dirt off and between the tiles.
6. Cleaning the walls in the bathroom, kitchen and toilet.
Sme sh Use the cleaning agent, baking soda and water in a ratio of 1:2:2 respectively, and with a brush, begin to clean the dirt on the tiles and in the gaps between them.
7. Applying hair dye.
Many housewives already know that you can gently apply hair dye with a toothbrush.
8. Cleaning kitchen utensils.
With a toothbrush, you can clean pots and pans, and because the brush gets into hard-to-reach places, it can clean microwave ovens, coffee machines, toasters, kettles, and more.
9. Cleaning the faucet and shower.
The brush easily reaches the most inaccessible places, so it can clean faucets with any shape, as well as showers and sinks. White vinegar will make the job easier.
10. Cleaning the comb.
Get rid of hair stuck on the comb with a regular toothbrush.
Cleaning with a toothbrush quickly and effectively
11. For children's creativity.
Using a toothbrush, you can add many different textures, not only in drawing, but also in modeling. Children will love to draw patterns with a toothbrush and use it to make different textures on plasticine.
12. Jewelry cleaning.
Many girls and women like to wear bracelets and rings with intricate patterns, between which dirt accumulates over time. The toothbrush is able to get into all the curves and holes, thereby cleaning your favorite products.
You can learn more about cleaning jewelry in our articles:How to clean silver at home and How to clean gold at home
13. Cleaning the grate of the hair dryer.
To prevent the hair dryer grate from becoming clogged and the hair dryer from emitting an unpleasant odor, clean it with a brush.
14. Keyboard cleaning.
The keyboard is quite difficult to clean - a lot of keys and gaps between them. Use a dry toothbrush to clean any dirt, dust, hair, coffee stains, and food leftovers from your keyboard.
15. Cleaning the aquarium.
No need to buy an expensive brush designed specifically for cleaning aquariums. Use an old toothbrush - it will also help clean shells, artificial corals and other decorations in the aquarium.
Useful used toothbrush
16. Cleaning blinds and mosquito screens.
It's amazing how useful a toothbrush can be when it comes to cleaning blinds. Just run over each detail, periodically washing off the dust b , and you're done. Also for cleaning the blinds, a nozzle with a brush from a vacuum cleaner is also suitable.
17. Cleaning bicycle chains.
Taking care of your bike,do not forget about cleaning the chains, especially the inside. The brush easily penetrates between the chain parts and cleans them of dirt, thereby preventing rust.
18. Car cleaning.
We are not talking about the body of the car, but about its interior. With a toothbrush, you can clean the seats, handbrake, cup holders, dashboard and more.
19. Cleaning toys.
Did you know that toys (especially soft toys) are th for dust and dirt? You can clean toys with a toothbrush.
20. Get rid of stains on clothes.
Apply stain remover to the stain and gently scrub the area with a toothbrush. Learn about the different ways to remove stains in our article: