How to brush your teeth correctly: about irrigators, electric toothbrushes and flosses

To find out how effectively a patient brushes their teeth, dentists apply a compound that stains plaque. As a result, it becomes obvious that, despite regular use of a toothbrush, plaque accumulates in almost everyone and in the same places: near the gums and between the teeth. Let's figure out why this happens and how to avoid it.

As a rule, plaque forms in the same places: between the teeth and near the gums

Toothbrushes and brushing techniques

Most often, problems arise due to improper cleaning technique. If you use a regular toothbrush, hold it at a 45-degree angle to the surface of the tooth and move it away from the gum - only in this case will the plaque be removed. When moving left or right, it can become clogged in the gum, which leads to inflammation. In addition, the interdental spaces are not cleaned this way.

An electric toothbrush is easier to use - you just need to guide it along the teeth. The bristles on sonic brushes make about 30 thousand up and down movements per minute, and on ultrasonic brushes - about 100 million. This frequency allows toothpaste, water and saliva to quickly foam, washing the tooth from all sides with this flow and effectively cleaning plaque. It is impossible to achieve the same powerful cleaning with a regular toothbrush.

The bristles of electrical appliances make thousands of vibrations per minute and effectively clean plaque

In addition, electronic gadgets have different modes: gentle, intensive, whitening and others, as well as different attachments, for example, for cleaning teeth with braces or for additional polishing of enamel darkened by frequent coffee consumption.

The only negative is that dentists do not recommend using ultrasonic toothbrushes if you have braces, veneers, fillings and crowns. Their cleaning is so intense that it can lead to loss of fillings or breakage of braces. In this case, it is better to use electric brushes.

HealthQuestion to an expert: Can an irrigator replace a toothbrush?

Text: Marina Kuznetsova

We are all used to looking for answers to most of the questions that concern us In this series of materials, we ask just such questions - burning, unexpected or common - to professionals in a variety of fields.

New cosmetics and devices for skin, hair or teeth care are constantly appearing on the market - and their creators, with varying degrees of success, convince us of their necessity. Irrigator - a necessary thing or an advertising gimmick? Can it replace a toothbrush, and if not, how to combine them correctly? Who needs it, and who can do without? We asked these questions to a specialist.

Marina Kuznetsova

dentist, author of the Telegram channel Dental Jedi

Plaque is the cause not only of caries, but also of periodontal diseases. They begin with sensitivity and bleeding of the gums, that is, signs of inflammation - and can end with the destruction of the tissues surrounding the tooth root, mobility and even loss of teeth. Of course, the prevention of all this lies in hygiene - careful removal of plaque and tartar (this is the same plaque, only hardened thanks to minerals) from the surface of the tooth and from under the gums.

Only a dentist can completely remove all dental deposits, so professional hygiene must be done every six months. And at home, to maintain a good level of hygiene, you need to brush your teeth twice a day with a brush and toothpaste - and at least once a day, additionally clean the spaces between your teeth. This can be done using dental floss or an irrigator.

Until recently, dental floss was recommended by almost all dentists. Now, opinions are divided - studies indicate very low effectiveness of flossing in addition to regular teeth brushing, and even no effectiveness. As a practicing doctor, I can say that when used correctly, floss successfully removes food debris from the interdental spaces - and the key words here are “correct use.” Unfortunately, you often see how the floss cuts into the gum - it begins to bleed, while visible plaque remains in the space between the teeth. To do everything correctly, you first need to thread the floss into the interdental space, and then gradually move up towards the edge of the tooth with sawing movements, as if rubbing the thread against it. If everything is done correctly, the interdental space is cleaned and the gums are not injured.

For those who cannot master the correct technique for using floss or are too lazy to use them, I recommend paying attention to an irrigator. This is a device that consists of a reservoir for liquid and a handle with a nozzle for rinsing the interdental spaces.

The irrigator generates a stream of liquid (water or rinse aid), which removes plaque and food debris from the interdental space, while simultaneously massaging the gums. The procedure itself means that after regular brushing of your teeth with a brush and toothpaste, you take an irrigator and treat each gap in turn. This helps clean those “hard-to-reach places” and prevent the formation of denser dental deposits - tartar. Plus, the irrigator massages the gums and improves its blood circulation.

The irrigator helps clean those “hard-to-reach places” and prevent the formation of denser dental deposits - tartar

Irrigators are portable and stationary: portable ones can be taken with you on trips, to the office or to study - this is especially convenient for those who wear braces. They can be battery-powered or have a built-in rechargeable battery that needs to be charged every couple of weeks. Stationary ones are larger, often hang on the wall, and hold more liquid—that is, you don’t have to fill it in every time before brushing your teeth.

Most irrigators have several modes - pulsation, different levels of pressure - and a gradual transition from a more gentle to a stronger mode can be useful during the adaptation stage. The whole family can use one irrigator - only everyone should have their own nozzle; Usually, if additional attachments are not included in the kit, they can be purchased separately. By the way, there are different attachments, including for cleaning braces or rinsing deep periodontal pockets during periodontitis.

A study was conducted, the authors of which proved that the irrigator is really effective - it removes dental plaque from the interdental spaces and improves the condition of the gums in just 14 days. The study discussed the water pulsation mode - and this mode is available in all irrigators, even the simplest and inexpensive ones.

An irrigator is absolutely necessary for those who have crowns, bridges or braces, as well as for people with bleeding gums, a tendency to form tartar, frequent food getting stuck in the interdental spaces, and crowded (very close together) teeth. For those who have healthy and straight teeth, it will still be useful for maintaining good hygiene and preventing caries and gum disease. Of course, it does not replace a toothbrush and toothpaste, but it can replace dental floss.

Let me remind you about the general algorithm for caring for your teeth: you need to brush them twice a day with a brush and paste, once a day (for example, before going to bed) to clean the interdental spaces with an irrigator or dental floss, and visit the dentist once every six months for professional hygiene.

Photos: Elizaveta - stock.adobe.com, Dronathan Davis - stock.adobe.com

Irrigators for cleaning

An irrigator is a device that washes away plaque with water pressure and washes away food debris from the interdental crevices. It can be called a gentle alternative to dental floss.

The irrigator is indispensable when caring for teeth with braces or implants, because it carefully cleans the most inaccessible places and does not injure the tissue. The jet pressure is adjustable, and the device can also be used to hydromassage the gums to stimulate blood circulation.

In addition, you can fill the irrigator not with water, but with a composition for rinsing the mouth.

A stream of water released under pressure gently cleans teeth without injuring soft gum tissue.

Features of the devices

Irrigators and electric toothbrushes have some distinctive features that can make it more convenient for a person to make a choice if it is difficult to decide what to buy for oral care.

Irrigator

In irrigators, the types of water flow affecting the teeth may differ from each other. They are formed in various ways. The flow can be pulsed, microbubble, or in the form of a continuous jet.

Innovative – pulsating and microbubble technologies, which make it possible to quickly and effectively clean enamel and remove contaminants from dental structures. A pulsating jet hits the surface of the teeth, instantly removing particles of dirt from hard-to-reach areas, eliminating plaque.

In a microbubble flow, liquid streams combine with air bubbles, forming hydraulic microshocks under high pressure. This results in effective cleaning and simultaneous massage of the oral cavity.

Irrigators can be supplied with various attachments that help make work much more comfortable. With the help of nozzles, they not only clean the oral cavity and orthopedic products, but also clean the tongue, spray special products, and rinse the nose.

An electric toothbrush

Using an electric device, you can effectively clean your teeth, gums, tongue and inner cheeks. The device is equipped with the following elements:

• Brush head. It is removable, so the presence of several such attachments allows several people to use the device.
• The basis. A part that acts as a nozzle holder.
• With a handle. It has a built-in motor and power source.

The device operates using batteries, a rechargeable battery that requires charging. Each device must come with a charger. There are also brushes that operate exclusively on mains power.

Among other things, most modern electric brushes are equipped with additional functions:

• Display. Manufacturers often equip the device with a liquid crystal display, through which the user can count the time while brushing their teeth.
• Ultrasound indicator. It signals that it is time to finish the process of cleaning the oral cavity.
• Timer. It is designed to sound a sound signal or stop the operation of the device. The average duration of work is 2-3 minutes.
• Modes. Some electric brushes have several operating modes: for cleaning the surface of the tongue, sensitive enamel, and whitening.
• Pressure sensor. If excessive pressure is applied to the device, the gums and enamel may be damaged. Some brushes are equipped with a sensor that acts as a safety device that prevents strong pressure.

Dental floss

Nylon floss is used to clean the interdental spaces. It is pulled between the teeth, covering each one in turn so that it forms the letter “C”. Floss scrapes off plaque with more force than a waterpik. Because of this, debate continues about whether dental floss is useful: some doctors believe that it can injure soft tissues, and in cases where the gums have receded, partially exposing the root, using it can simply be painful.

When brushing, the dental floss should wrap around the tooth in a semicircle.

Most dentists agree that waterpik and dental floss are effective in different situations. The first is suitable for daily cleaning, and the second can be used when necessary and remove more durable plaque deposits.

Advantages and disadvantages

Irrigators

Irrigators have the function of a toothbrush, due to which the device has many advantages. These include the following advantages:

• Cleaning the oral cavity with an irrigator not only massages the gums and improves blood circulation, but also prevents the development of periodontal disease and gingivitis.
• Promotes effective removal of plaque without damaging the enamel.
• There is a special switch on the case, with its help the user can independently select the mode that suits him.
• The device body is made of durable plastic, which reliably protects against shock and damage when dropped.
• The device is equipped with standard and additional attachments for the care of dental structures (implants, bridges, dentures, etc.).

The disadvantages of irrigators include the fact that the nozzles cannot rotate around their axis, there is also no possibility of contactless charging, and the devices cannot be connected to a water supply.

Electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes have no less advantages:

• The kit includes special attachments for cleaning the tongue - with their help it is possible to get rid of pathogenic bacteria as effectively as possible.
• Scientists have proven that using an electric brush allows you to achieve excellent results, while simultaneously removing dirt and plaque.
• The set of functions of some devices includes timers - they notify that it is time to change the cleaning of a particular area of ​​the oral cavity.
• An electric brush perfectly removes stains from tobacco, tea, and coffee.

There are also disadvantages:

• increases the chance of caries;
• may loosen teeth;
• increases sensitivity;
• provokes separation of enamel from the gums.

Can I use an irrigator if my gums bleed?

Bleeding gums are not a contraindication. Do not forget that with the help of an irrigator, we, on the contrary, massage them and clean the oral cavity even better. People with heart disease, rosacea, acute periodontitis, as well as those who have recently installed an implant or simply undergone some kind of surgical intervention in the oral cavity should refuse to use the device (or use it with caution).

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How to choose the right brush for a child?

A children's toothbrush can be distinguished from an adult toothbrush by the following points:

• It has a shorter handle, there is an elastic band on the body, and the design itself is designed so that the brush fits comfortably in the baby’s hand.
• Runs at a lower speed.
• The nozzle size is smaller.
• The bristles are the softest.
• Bright design to make brushing your child's teeth interesting.

Now let’s look at which children’s electric toothbrush to choose based on the criteria:

• Intensity . A child's enamel is more delicate than that of an adult. The low speed at which children's electric brushes operate helps to avoid injury. But the child may not calculate the force and put undue pressure on the teeth or gums. Therefore, if you have a child under 3 years old, buy a device with one mode.
• Nozzles and bristles . The nozzle should be selected according to age. It can cover more than two teeth. Up to 7 years of age, the bristles should be the softest; after this age, you can switch to medium.
• Timer . Any children's brush has a useful function. The child will always know when it is time to stop the procedures.
• Nutrition . Battery or battery-powered electric brushes for babies. This is how manufacturers maintain the safety of the device. Battery-powered devices have more power, show how much charge is left and can perform more functions.
• Design . And, of course, when choosing an electric toothbrush for a child, you should pay attention to how it looks. Your baby should like it. After all, the more interesting the device, the more often the child wants to see it, and you won’t have to force him to brush his teeth again. Today, manufacturers offer brushes with favorite cartoon characters, bright stickers, and even in the shape of animals, which is already a curious toy for a child.

For what purposes should you purchase a device?

An irrigator is an additional device that allows you to better clean your teeth from soft plaque and hardening deposits. Experts recommend the device for use to achieve the following effect:

• maximum cleanliness and freshness of the oral cavity,
• prevention of caries, gingivitis and periodontitis,
• high-quality cleaning of teeth and gums, as well as artificial crowns and dentures. The device is recommended for use also by patients with braces,
• light preventive massage of the gums, stimulation of metabolic processes in soft tissue cells and blood microcirculation,
• normalization of the salivary glands.

With braces, it is recommended to use an irrigator

“I was completely satisfied with the purchase of this miracle device. I have Brown, it works in several modes, although, to be honest, I personally don’t notice much difference between them. I periodically suffer from bleeding gums, so when the pressure is too strong, bloody streaks appear. In such cases, I simply stop the procedure or reduce the pressure. But keep in mind that you still need to get the hang of it to use it correctly. At first I constantly got it on my lips and tongue, it wasn’t a pleasant sensation...”

Ilona, ​​from correspondence on the woman.ru forum

Doctors especially insist on using an irrigator if there are prosthetic structures or a permanent brace system in the mouth. In this case, a regular brush will not be able to provide the required level of cleanliness, but with the help of a powerful air-water jet you can clean hard-to-reach areas and the smallest details of the corrective structure.

Nutrition

According to the method of power supply, electric brushes are divided into three categories:

• Works from a socket . By choosing such an electric toothbrush, you can brush your teeth as much as you like, it will not turn off, and it will be powerful enough. But you can’t take it on a trip; there’s not always an outlet nearby.
• Battery powered . Not dependent on the network, you can brush your teeth anytime, anywhere. But it is not always convenient to change the battery; manufacturers often equip models with non-removable batteries. And the brush can take a long time to charge, sometimes up to 10 hours.
• Battery operated . Such models also allow you to brush your teeth where there is no outlet. Usually they are bought for business trips or travel. Batteries have an advantage over a battery - they are easier to change. Hose length . This characteristic is for conventional irrigators. Affects convenience. The hose can be 50 cm or more. If the outlet is far away, then choose an irrigator with this calculation in mind.

Reviews about whether an irrigator is needed for teeth and oral cavity or not

Kolesov Alexander Yurievich, 34 years old, Kazan
Until I was 30, I used only a toothbrush, but then, on the advice of a dentist, I bought an irrigator and began treating the oral cavity with it, first three times a week, and then daily. The device is really useful. Very quickly, after using it, my gums became stronger and became less inflamed. My teeth have acquired a lighter shade, and the problem of bad breath throughout the day has disappeared.

Tarasova Irina Stanislavovna, 28 years old, Kaluga

I started using the irrigator while wearing braces. I have severely crooked teeth; in addition to aesthetic problems, this greatly complicates oral hygiene. Plaque and food debris get clogged under the braces, making it almost impossible to clean them out. The irrigator greatly simplifies maintenance; it is really much easier to wash away deposits with a stream of water. I use the device twice a day, my breath is always fresh and my gums are healthy.

What liquid to use

Based on the purpose of using the device, the liquid reservoir can be filled with both plain water and medicinal and antiseptic solutions. Thus, as part of the prevention of gum disease, the use of decoctions of medicinal herbs or special pharmaceutical compositions is allowed, but only after consultation with your specialist or as prescribed. Your dentist will tell you what exactly is best to put into the device.

When answering the question of what can replace plain water in the tank, you should immediately divide all cleaning products into two categories: professional and household. The first includes antimicrobial compounds that are prescribed by a doctor for the treatment or prevention of specific dental diseases. Such solutions usually contain active ingredients, minerals and antiseptics. If your doctor has prescribed you such drugs, be sure to check the concentration for their dilution, the rules and frequency of their use. Household formulations have a lower concentration of active ingredients.

In general, all cleaning products can be divided into the following types:

• with mineral components to strengthen enamel and saturate hard tissues with nutrients,
• reducing bleeding and recommended for use in periodontal diseases,
• with flavorings for fresh breath,
• without components that can cause allergic reactions.

Your dentist will tell you what exactly is best to put into the device.
According to experts in the field of dentistry and hygiene, the recommended temperature of the liquid filled into the device’s reservoir should not exceed 40 degrees1. It is also not recommended to use cold water. It is better if the composition is at room temperature, especially if your teeth react to temperature changes.

Regular cleaning with an irrigator with the addition of antiseptic and healing solutions will ensure high-quality disinfection of all tissues of the oral cavity, prevent abundant accumulation of plaque and deposits, normalize blood microcirculation in the tissues and freshen breath. This is an excellent prevention of severe contamination, caries, and gum inflammation.

Is it necessary for each family member to have their own waterpik attachment?

It is advisable for everyone to have their own nozzle. Don’t forget: an irrigator is still a personal hygiene item; it comes into contact with the gums and mucous membranes. You don’t brush your teeth with the same toothbrush as a family.

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