When getting a new car, the dealer goes over a list of options with you. These options are not necessary for driving, but often make the car more appealing. Leather seats, fog lights, infrared vehicle detection, or fancy stereo systems are meant to make your car experience more pleasant, but they come with a cost. Toothbrushes also have options that add to their appeal – some of them are functional, some are simply for personal appeal.
Additional Toothbrush Features
Before considering added features for a toothbrush, it’s important to remember its main function: to remove plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth. Some toothbrushes add features that assist or even improve that function, while other features focus on convenience or aesthetics. Here are some common features you might see added to toothbrushes.
- Electricity – an electric toothbrush uses an oscillating or vibrating head to move the bristles as you bring them across your teeth and gums. Studies show this does increase the removal of plaque and food debris. Not only that, but mass development and production have seen an increase in quality with a reduction in price, making electric toothbrushes more affordable and convenient.
- Ultrasonic – these toothbrushes highly increase the speed and frequency of the moving bristles so that they produce an audible hum. Ultrasonic toothbrushes generate sound waves to remove food and plaque from teeth and gums, and use bristles to sweep away the debris.
- Timers – along with the general dental industry, the Yuba City Dentistry Group recommends you brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. Many people, however, lose track of two minutes easily. Some electric toothbrushes now come with timers that will vibrate at one-minute intervals or even shut off at the end of two minutes, so you do not overbrush.
There are other features offered with toothbrushes today, such as pressure sensors so you do not push too hard on your teeth and gums, or larger handles for a better grip. A few offer an accompanying smartphone app that reminds you to brush your teeth and tracks your habits. Some offer specialized bristles for tight or narrow areas.
Consider the Cost of Toothbrush Options
The more options on a toothbrush, the higher the price becomes. Much like getting a new car, what options do you really need and which ones can you live without? Would you prefer to set your own timer, or use a two-minute song to track the time? Are your teeth really in need of ultrasonic care? Could you use a separate water flosser instead of one integrated into your toothbrush? Using alternative options keeps costs down.
Getting to the Point of Brushing
The best toothbrush for you is the one that will help you brush your teeth consistently, for two minutes twice a day. If that toothbrush is electric, sonic, automated or gold-plated, the choice is up to you. Of course, it’s always a good idea to shop around, and a great idea to get an informed opinion. At the Yuba City Dentistry Group, we keep up to date on current trends and products in toothbrushes.
Whether it’s toothbrushes, water flossers, toothpaste, interdental brushes, or other tools for dental hygiene, our knowledge of your personal dental health gives us invaluable insight on what features and tools would best suit you. To make sure we know about your circumstances, come on in for your semiannual dental checkup. If you don’t have one yet, give our office a call or use our online form to schedule an appointment.
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