10 tips for choosing an electric toothbrush

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Philips

B. Well

C.S. Medica

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Colgate

Panasonic

Hapika

kolibree

Emmi-dent

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The first thing to do when choosing a suitable electric toothbrush is to decide on its type. Devices are classified into four categories.

Motorized device. In fact, this is the same manual brush, and full-fledged hygiene with its help is possible subject to good manual skills and a responsible approach to the cleaning procedure. We must say right away that such models are not in special demand and are practically never found on sale.

Ionic toothbrush. In appearance, they are not much different from ordinary ones, since the massive power supply in them is replaced by a miniature battery (disk or solar). Their principle of action is to release negatively charged ions and destroy plaque. Some experts doubt their effectiveness, but most reviews agree that original products are definitely worth the money.

Sonic and ultrasonic brushes. The most popular devices. The difference between them is very conditional and lies in the different frequency of vibration of the villi: sonic brushes operate at a frequency of up to 20 kHz, ultrasonic - up to 1.7 MHz. The first option is more applicable for daily care, since it cleans teeth mechanically better, while the second is recommended for periodic prevention of tartar formation.

Before choosing an electric toothbrush for yourself, ask your dentist which brushing regimens he recommends for you. For example, the use of brushes that can only make horizontal or only rotational movements is contraindicated for people with sensitive enamel and an imperfect row of teeth, gum disease. But they are shown to those who have diseases of the musculoskeletal system or the nervous system and cannot resort to manual cleaning.

For most people, devices with a round or oval nozzle ranging in size from 18 to 25 mm (for children) and up to 30 mm (for adults) are suitable, the bristles of which move along one of the trajectories - 2D (reciprocating movements are combined with sweeping ones) and 3D ( implies a combination of reciprocating rotational movements with vertical pulsation).

Three-dimensional impact allows you to simultaneously loosen and remove plaque. Thus, electric toothbrushes with 3D brushing technique are rightfully considered to be more effective. As for the brushing modes, it is highly desirable for beginners to have an habituation mode, which treats the teeth more gently at first, and then gradually increases the intensity.

Most modern models have a replaceable head - which is good, because it allows you to change them as often as required by hygiene rules. Manufacturers decided not to stop and offered kits with 2-5 nozzles of different functionality. Here is a list of the main varieties:

• for daily cleaning - is a head with bristles of medium hardness;
• for bleaching - the working surface is treated with a special substance that has a whitening effect; this nozzle cannot be used on an ongoing basis;
• for sensitive teeth - they are characterized by a special softness of the bristles and are intended for people with hypersensitivity of the gums or teeth;
• for cleaning braces - effective cleaning of elements of a fixed structure is provided by bristles of different density, length and diameter;
• for cleaning the interdental space (interdental) - consists of a single bundle of fibers cut at an angle, and allows you to get rid of plaque between the teeth, incl. and crowded.

There are many other special attachments available - for children, for cleaning the tongue, implants, dentures, light fillings, etc. Check with your dentist if you need one or another attachment.

If you have an electrical outlet in your bathroom, you rarely travel, and a child will not use the brush, pay attention to toothbrushes powered by the mains. They can work indefinitely, while providing the necessary power for all functions.

Battery power eliminates attachment to a household outlet and significantly expands the area of ​​use of an electrical appliance: you can take it with you on a business trip, use it in any room where there is no connection to the electrical network. However, the batteries are often made non-removable, and if they fail, you will not be able to change them yourself.

Batteries help out well when traveling, but are not very economical at home. In addition, most batteries, especially those from the budget segment, do not have enough power to run a functional head. Although this is a good option for children, in the end, the battery is still the best choice.

Additional equipment greatly simplifies the operation of the toothbrush and increases the efficiency of procedures. At the same time, its presence significantly increases the cost of the product. We suggest right now to note for yourself the need for each option and assess your willingness to overpay for it 10-20% of the price of the brush:

• timer - counts 4 periods of 30 seconds and with a signal or vibration makes it clear that it is time to move to another area; reviews indicate that this is one of the most useful features;
• light or sound indicator of pressure - monitors the force of pressing the nozzle to the teeth and prevents damage to enamel and soft tissues (light is considered a less convenient way to indicate);
• charging indicator - warns a situation when the battery is suddenly discharged and the brush stops working at the most inopportune moment;
• wear indicator - implemented in the form of a daily timer or bristles that change color, and allows you to replace the nozzle in a timely manner;
• charging stand - an accessory that simplifies storage of the device, and often combined with a charger.

More expensive electric toothbrushes can also be equipped with a remote information display that displays information about the operating mode, sensor readings, etc.

From the reviews, we have selected important parameters of a convenient electric brush. Firstly, it should not be bulky and heavy - 150 g is considered ideal by most users. In addition to gravity, it is worth evaluating the comfort of grip - for this, you can even find the model you like in the store and “try it on” for yourself.

It is very desirable to have rubberized inserts that prevent the device from slipping out of your hand. For cramped conditions, a wall mount of a stand or main unit is relevant, which will free up space on the shelves. Reliable storage of many accessories and additional attachments, as well as their lossless transportation is designed to provide a branded case or case.

If you settled on a mains powered toothbrush, consider whether the mains cable is long enough. It is good when it is enough to use the device away from the outlet. Before choosing a common brush for the whole family, ask if the nozzles are marked with at least a color or colored marks, otherwise the household will periodically confuse their nozzle with someone else's.

In a child under 14 years old, the enamel is not sufficiently mineralized, so an overly hard brush and an aggressive brushing regimen can damage it. The use of an adult brush for children is unacceptable - they need to pick up a small device with a bright design and a gentle effect on the teeth.

A few more tips for choosing:

• the age range indicated by the manufacturer should be as specific as possible, i.e. the mark “2-3 years” is more priority than “3-10 years”;
• a child over 6 years old can already use a brush of medium hardness, but only if there is a pressure sensor;
• Long-handled toothbrushes are good when parents help their baby brush their teeth, otherwise a short-handled brush should be preferred.

If the child in every possible way shirks from the procedure, take a look at the models that work via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with free mobile applications. They work in a game format, teach children to follow oral hygiene and give awards for high-quality cleaning. Judging by the reviews, games really help - children brush their teeth with pleasure.

For smokers, diabetics, braces wearers and just those who want to achieve perfect cleanliness in their mouth, one toothbrush will not be enough. To completely clean the molars, interdental space and periodontal pockets, it is better to use an irrigator - a device that delivers a thin stream of water or a special solution under pressure to the right place.

A set of a toothbrush and an irrigator is called a dental center. When buying such a set, look at the parameters of the irrigator: is the pressure regulated, how many settings are provided, how large is the volume of the liquid reservoir, does the length of the hose allow the user to be located away from the main unit.

Again, from the reviews, we “calculated” the optimal characteristics: from 30 to 650 kPa - a pressure range sufficient to carry out the entire range of procedures; from 3 to 5 degrees of adjustment; 150 ml is a convenient reservoir volume for a portable device and 500 ml for a stationary one; 30-50 cm - standard hose length (there are designs with hoses up to 1 m in length).

The undisputed market leaders in electric toothbrushes are Oral-B and Philips. They are characterized by a wide range of various models in all price segments. Manufacturers known to consumers for other types of household appliances are trying their hand quite successfully - AEG, Panasonic, Remington.

In our opinion, brands that are less well-known in Russia are also worthy of attention: for example, Japanese Hapika toothbrushes, Russian-Chinese SC Medica, and Russian Donfeel are praised in numerous reviews.Their very wide choice, reasonable cost and high-quality service create the preconditions for catching up and pushing the leaders in the near future.

As for the service life, the electric brush is usually designed for 3 years of trouble-free operation. For a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years, companies are ready to provide a guarantee of free repair or a refund if the device fails due to the fault of the manufacturer. Therefore, carefully read the instructions and strictly follow the rules of operation! And do not be too lazy to find a local service center and, just in case, ask how often they have this or that model under repair.

The most inexpensive, however, very popular battery-powered model is represented by the Oral-B brand - this is the Vitality 3D White Lux. No additional nozzles and functions are provided - 1 nozzle, 1 mode, continuous operation time 28 minutes. True, there is a timer and an indication of the wear of the bristles. Such a brush costs about 1100 rubles. Equally simple models are about the same price - up to 1500 rubles. can be found at AEG (mod. EZ 5623) and CS Medica (mod. CS-131).

Oral-B, Colgate, CS Medica, Panasonic and Hapika have even cheaper models - from 400 to 1000 rubles, but they are all battery-operated and also have extremely limited functionality. To become a happy owner of a battery brush with a reasonable number of nozzles, a timer, convenient indication and several modes of operation, you need to be prepared to spend from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles. - in this price range, the choice is the largest.

Finally, the premium segment is represented by Philips, Oral-B, Emmi-dent and Kolibree.The models are ultrasonic, they have a stylish design, they have the functions of recognizing nozzles and synchronizing with a smartphone, they are equipped with a display and sensors, and they cost accordingly - from 10 to 20 thousand rubles.