Ordinary toothbrushes, professionally called manual toothbrushes, have been with us since we were a child. For years, most of us took care of oral hygiene with their help and did it with greater or lesser success. Today, in the 21st century, we have a choice of modern brushes and many people ask themselves: a regular toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush?

History of the manual toothbrush

Have you ever wondered how in the past people care about oral hygiene? Before the toothbrush, people tried to clean their teeth in other ways - by chewing sticks or using self-made toothpicks. Even Hippocrates, called the father of medicine, clearly encouraged to take care of oral hygiene, for example by cleaning teeth with balls soaked in honey. Today we know that this is not necessarily a good idea. Therefore, when hesitating: a regular or a sonic toothbrush, it is worth bearing in mind how the approach to hygiene has changed. What is traditional is not always better.

The first manual toothbrushes were created as early as 1498. The first large-scale toothbrush was invented by William Addis of England (1780), while in 1840 the brushes were produced, among others, in Japan, France and Germany.

However, it was the surroundings of World War II that changed a lot in people's habits - then American soldiers were required to clean their teeth every day. And that's the way it is - brushing your teeth every day helps to take care of them properly and eliminates the risk of developing many diseases.

Advantages and disadvantages of traditional toothbrushes

Like any other solution, traditional manual toothbrushes have their advantages and disadvantages. So if you are wondering whether an ordinary or a sonic toothbrush will be better, it is best to write them down and look at them carefully.

Advantages of a manual toothbrush:

  • Low prices - the simplest models cost just a few zlotys, while branded and modern models cost a dozen or so. Regardless of the choice, it is a small expense.
  • Availability - a traditional toothbrush can be purchased everywhere: in a drugstore, at the airport, in a kiosk, in a supermarket, in a local shop.
  • The possibility of an ecological choice, if we reach for bamboo brushes.

Cons:

  • Much weakercleaning effects than more modern solutions on the market - it is impossible to introduce the brush into the way it will be introduced by sonic technology.
  • No specialization (cleaning programs).
  • Lack of advanced functionalities, such as a pressure sensor, timer or the ability to monitor tooth brushing.

Ordinary or sonic toothbrush? What other alternatives to manual toothbrushes are there?

There are two alternatives for a manual toothbrush: a sonic toothbrush and an electric toothbrush.

Sonic toothbrushes and electric ones with a round head both clean teeth more effectively than a regular, simplest toothbrush. They achieve better results when brushing your teeth, are easier to use, and require no additional hand movements, avoiding the use of incorrect brushing techniques. How do they differ from each other?

  • electric round head - models with two movements perform up to 10,000 oscillating / rotating movements per minute, and models with three movements perform an additional 48,000 pulsating movements.
  • sonic - it is a very modern type of brush and the cleaning technology used. Its shape resembles a manual toothbrush, which we are used to from childhood. The best sonic toothbrush performs up to 62 thousand. movements per minute.

How does sonic technology work and what cleaning results does it offer?

So what exactly is the difference between a sonic toothbrush and the solutions we have known for a long time? Sonic technology is a combination of high-frequency vibrations that are emitted by sound waves and a wide range of bristle motion. Depending on the manufacturer of the sonic toothbrush, this bristle movement can be sweeping (left-right) or sweeping-pulsating (left-right and up-down). What additionally affects the cleaning results of the sonic toothbrush is the density, quality and distribution of the bristles on the head, which also depend on the manufacturer.

To describe the cleaning results offered by sonic toothbrushes, which can help you choose: regular or sonic toothbrush, we will use the example of Philips Sonicare. This is because cleaning results vary between brands of toothbrushes, so the desired results may be different. Compared to brushing your teeth with a manual toothbrush, Philips Sonicare removes up to 10 times more plaque, also in hard-to-reach places[1]and improves gum he alth in 2 weeks[2 ] . Philips Sonicare toothbrushes use advanced Philips sonic technology, which has been developed for over 20 years.

Philips Sonicare toothbrushesthey also allow you to control the pressure of the brush bristles on the teeth and gums. It's very important not to do it too hard. Sometimes we feel that the harder we push, the better the results will be, but that's very wrong. In the case of advanced sonic brushes from reputable manufacturers, it is enough to place the brush against the tooth and gum line.

How to choose a good sonic toothbrush?

Although sonic technology has been with us relatively recently, there are already many manufacturers of such brushes on the market. Each of them offers several models that may differ significantly in price, quality and capabilities. So if you have already answered the question: ordinary or sonic toothbrush, it's time to ask another one: what sonic toothbrush?

It is very important to remember that sonic brushes, despite the use of seemingly similar technology, differ in their cleaning effects. Therefore, when choosing, do not take into account the low price. A sonic toothbrush is an investment for many years, so it is worth paying a little more for it to be able to use all the possibilities offered by modern technology. It is also good to remember that proper oral hygiene and care for the gums allow you to save money in the future, because thanks to better prophylaxis, we will most likely visit dental offices less often.

Check what cleaning effects are promised by the manufacturer and whether these results are confirmed by clinical trials - some manufacturers unfortunately make promises that do not hide too much. The manufacturer's many years of experience in the production of sonic devices and the support of the dental institution are also an important indicator of the quality of the offered equipment.

The abilities of the brush and the speed of its movements are also important. Pay attention to the programs offered by the brush manufacturer.

What functions should be in our sonic toothbrush?

To some extent, this is an individual matter, because everyone has their own specific needs based on age, he alth and priorities. Not everyone cares about white teeth, but we all want to have he althy gums and avoid tooth decay. Here we have to focus on the cleaning effects offered by the manufacturer of the sonic toothbrush and the credibility of the manufacturer. Once we have a selected brush manufacturer, we also have to choose a specific model. And these differ in functions and, of course, the price. We hope that the following description will help you decide what you need the most.

  • number of cleaning programs - themthe more, the more specialized our toothbrush is. And the greater specialization, the better and more satisfying results!
  • number of intensity levels - the ability to adjust the intensity of cleaning is especially useful after dental procedures, in the case of sensitive teeth and gums, or with an orthodontic appliance. It is also important if we are looking for a toothbrush for children who are just learning to use it. Some manufacturers have dedicated sonic toothbrushes for the youngest.
  • pressure sensor - will inform you if the brush is pressed too hard. Thus, it supports our brushing technique and, on the one hand, allows for the thorough removal of bacterial plaque, and on the other hand, protects us against enamel damage.
  • advanced timer - one that not only measures the two minutes recommended by dentists, but also divides this time into cycles of 20 or 30 seconds. This will allow you to control the time we spend on brushing individual parts of the teeth. Especially in the evening, when you are tired, it is easy to get lost and spend too little time brushing some of your teeth, although the total brushing time is correct.
  • tip wear sensor - thanks to this, the brush itself will notify us when it's time to replace it. Regularly changing the tip every three months is crucial to maintaining the cleaning results and proper oral hygiene - and it's so easy to forget the last time you replaced it.

As you can see, in the considerations of "ordinary or sonic toothbrush" most of the arguments support the latter. Actually, the manual toothbrush only has a lower price, but on the other hand, the purchase of a sonic toothbrush is a one-time expense that will help us save in the future. An investment in a good sonic toothbrush is better prevention, and therefore better protection against problems with teeth or gums.

Category:

Dentistry and Orthodontics