Brushes for Braces: The Orthodontic Toothbrush

Brushes For Braces

Toothbrush is a mechanical plaque control device.It may be manual or powered.

Types of Toothbrush

Toothbrushes are of following types, i.e.

• Manual toothbrushes.
• Powered toothbrushes.
• Sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes.
• Ionic toothbrushes.
• Orthodontic toothbrushes:

“Types Of Toothbrushes For Braces”

• Manual toothbrushes: It requires manual regulation.
• Powered toothbrushes: Automated battery-driven toothbrushes with bristles moving in a side-to-side or rotary or reciprocating motion.
• Sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes: Toothbrushes that produce high frequency vibrations that leads to the mechanism of acoustic streaming and cavitation similar to ultrasonic scalers. These vibrations disrupt bacterial cell wall and remove plaque.
• Ionic toothbrushes: These brushes are designed to release positively charged ions that change the surface charge of a tooth.
• Orthodontic toothbrushes: They are designed especially for patients with orthodontic appliances. The bristles in the centre of the brush are shorter than those present at the periphery allowing it to pass over the appliance without causing abrasion of the teeth.

Manual Toothbrushes

• A toothbrush consists of handle, shank and head.
• According to ADA, specification of toothbrush a head of the brush should be:
• 1” to 1/4” long (Brushing surface).
• 5/16” to 3/8” (7.9 to 9.5 mm) wide.
• 2–4 rows of bristles.

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• 5–12 tufts per row.
• 80 to 86 bristles per tuft.
  The extreme end of head is toe and close to the handle is heel.
  Size: Large, medium and small.
  Lateral profile: Flat, convex, concave and scalloped.
  Bristles: Two kind of bristle materials are used in toothbrush.
  • Natural from hog.
  • Artificial by nylon.

Hardness

Depends on material, diameter and length

Soft: 0.007” to 0.009” (No. 7, 8, 9)

Medium: 0.010” to 0.012” (No. 10, 11, 12)

Hard: 0.013” to 0.014” (No. 13, 14)

Extrahard: 0.015” (No. 15).

“Understanding The Benefits Of Orthodontic Toothbrushes For Braces”

Handle Design

• Handle should be fit comfortably in the palm of the hand
• It may be straight or angled.
• It may be thick or thin.

Bristles

• Bristles are of two types, i.e. nylon and natural.
• Nylon bristles are preferable brushes.
• Natural bristles are more susceptible for breakage, their contamination chances by bacteria are very high.

“The Role Of Orthodontic Toothbrushes In Preventing Cavities With Braces”

Powered Toothbrushes

• Electrically powered toothbrushes were invented in 1939.
• Various types of motion in powered toothbrushes are:
  • Back and forth reciprocal.
  • Circular.
  • Elliptical or combination.

“Comprehensive Overview Of Orthodontic Toothbrush Types And Uses”

Powered Toothbrushes are Indicated for:

• Children and adolescents.
• Children with physical or mental disability.
• Hospitalized patient, including older adults who need to name their teeth cleaned.
• Patient with fixed orthodontic appliances.
• They are particularly useful for cleaning proximal surfaces and for people with limited dexterity.
• Toothbrushes are used with dentifrices.

Advantages of Powered Toothbrushes

• Increases the patient motivation.
• Cleaning in interproximal areas and on lingual surfaces is increased.
• Apply less brushing force when compared to manual toothbrush.