Oral health depends not only on hereditary factors, but also on the quality of daily care. The main cause of caries and other dental diseases is bacterial plaque, difficult to remove with a standard brush. To remove it there are special accessories that are easy to use at home.
How does an ultrasonic toothbrush work?
The principle of the device in question is the generation of elastic acoustic vibrations of the therapeutic frequency (about 1.6 MHz). A toothbrush with ultrasound works outside of human hearing, its bristles perform about 100 million vibrations per minute. Due to such a high frequency of vibrational movements, the bonds that hold the coating on the enamel are destroyed. The wave spreads over the surface and penetrates to a depth of 4-5 mm, reaching the gingival pockets and other hard-to-reach areas.
Ultrasonic toothbrush - pros and cons
Vendors of the described dental accessory rarely indicate all its shortcomings. Toothbrush with ultrasound - harm:
- Damage to demineralized areas. Some people have enamels on the enamel. These are areas with a low concentration of calcium, they represent an early stage of caries. Enamel in such areas is fragile and porous, under the action of ultrasonic waves it is faster destroyed.
- Decrease in the service life of seals, crowns and veneers. The hardness of the listed designs and natural teeth is different, so acoustic vibrations spread in them in different ways. Because of this discrepancy, a "conflict" arises at the boundary of the fastening of the crown, the seal or the veneer, which leads to the destruction of the bonds of the prosthetic material and the enamel.
- Deterioration of the course of periodontitis, gingivitis, periodontitis and other diseases. Ultrasonic toothbrush provokes the spread of the inflammatory process deep into the tissues. Its use can cause not only the intensification of the existing pathology, but also the aggravation of chronic disease.
If a person has healthy teeth, there are no crowns, veneers and seals, the presented device will produce many positive effects:
- loosening and destruction of plaque;
- no need for toothpaste;
- destruction of bacteria;
- stimulation of blood circulation in the mucous membranes;
- prevention of multiplication of microbes in the gingival pockets, at the joints of teeth and similar hard-to-reach places;
- careful, but high-quality cleaning of the enamel;
- careful removal of plaque in the presence of orthodontological structures (bracket systems and others);
- disinfection of the oral cavity.
Ultrasonic toothbrush - which one to choose?
By purchasing the device under consideration, it is important to pay attention to its main characteristic - the frequency of the oscillating wave. It should be in the range of 1.6-1.7 MHz. Valuable advice on how to choose an ultrasound toothbrush will additionally be given by a dentist. If you own a purchase, you need to check the availability of the following functions in the accessory:
- timer with sound or light signal;
- indicators of charge and ultrasound;
- a selector for the speed of movement of the bristles;
- device for charging the battery (if not using batteries).
Ultrasonic toothbrush - rating
Many well-known brands produce dental accessories, which also generate acoustic vibrations, but with a low frequency. These are sound toothbrushes intended for high-quality mechanical removal of plaque. They perform only 30-35 thousand movements per minute, whereas the described devices are about 100 million. The best ultrasonic toothbrushes:
- Donfeel HSD-005;
- Megasonex M8;
- Asahiirica AU300D;
- Ultrasonex SU700;
- Emmi-Dental 6.
How to use an ultrasonic toothbrush?
The use of this accessory differs from standard home appliances for oral hygiene. The ultrasonic brush itself generates high frequency oscillations. They cause a very rapid vibration of the synthetic pile, so there is no need for mechanical movements. The ultrasonic toothbrush is simply wetted with water and applied to the teeth for 5-10 seconds. The procedure can be carried out without paste, the quality of plaque removal is not affected.
How often can I use an ultrasonic toothbrush?
Dentists do not advise cleaning the enamel in the way presented on a daily basis. The ultrasonic toothbrush is recommended as an accessory for careful oral care. It is better to combine its use with a standard brush. Ultrasonic cleansing can be performed 2-4 times a week or less, depending on the rate of bacterial plaque formation.
Ultrasonic toothbrush - contraindications
Given the above features of the device in question, some people will do more harm than good. Toothbrush with ultrasound - contraindications:
- installed crowns, veneers and seals;
- chronic gingivitis , periodontitis during periods of relapse;
- oncological tumors;
- periodontitis ;
- pregnancy.
An ultrasonic or hybrid toothbrush is prohibited for use in the presence of a pacemaker. Elastic acoustic vibrations of high frequency can change the nature of the operation of this vital device, or even lead to its failure, provoke a heart attack and other dangerous consequences, up to a lethal outcome.
Which toothbrush is better - electric or ultrasonic?
These types of dental accessories have a completely different working principle. To advise, what a toothbrush, ultrasound or electric, is necessary, should be the attending physician. People with chronic gum disease, seals, crowns, lumineers or veneers are advised to purchase standard versions of cleaning devices. In the presence of intact enamel and healthy gums, you can ask the dentist which ultrasound toothbrush is better, and buy this useful gadget.