Which is better: an electric toothbrush or an irrigator? Is it possible to compare an irrigator and an electric toothbrush What is an irrigator or a toothbrush first.

Choosing a toothbrush

What is the most frequently asked question from the dentist? "Doctor, what kind of toothbrush is better to use?" Today our consultant doctor Karina will tell you about the intricacies of choosing such an important item for oral care. So.

Which toothbrush should you use?

Toothbrushes are divided into manual and electric. Of course, everyone should learn how to properly and effectively brush their teeth with a regular toothbrush, but in practice, not everyone succeeds. In this case, electric toothbrushes come to the rescue. They can rotate or generate sound / ultrasonic waves.

Electric toothbrushes have been shown to be more effective in removing plaque compared to conventional manual toothbrushes. The most advanced electric toothbrushes today are sonic and ultrasonic. If you don't have braces, veneers and implants in your mouth, feel free to use an ultrasonic brush. Sonic toothbrushes are suitable for everyone, without exception, including children.

The bristles on the working parts of toothbrushes differ in fiber diameter and hardness: the larger the diameter, the harder the toothbrush.

A very soft toothbrush (ultrasoft, extrasoft) is optimal for children under 5 years old and people with increased tooth sensitivity.
A soft toothbrush (soft) is suitable for children from 5 to 12 years old, as well as adults with diseases of the gums and oral mucosa.
The medium toothbrush (medium) is recommended for children over 12 years old and adults with a healthy oral cavity.
A hard and very hard toothbrush (hard) is used when there is a tendency to increased formation of dental plaque and only as directed by the dentist.

Toothbrushes also differ in the shape of the brush field trim. Most brushes have two-level bristles: short bristles clean the chewing surfaces of the teeth, long ones - smooth surfaces and the gingival groove. The wavy or zigzag profile of the brush field effectively cleans smooth surfaces of teeth and interdental spaces.

Some toothbrushes have a force projection for cleaning hard-to-reach areas of the dentition. But still, you should not focus too much on the design features of the brush field, since plaque remaining in hard-to-reach areas is safer and more effective to remove with dental floss and an irrigator.

When is it time to buy a new toothbrush?

Dentists recommend changing your toothbrushes every 2-3 months or as they wear out. The latter is evidenced by the loss of the original bristle shape, violation of the integrity of the bristles and discoloration of the indicator beams. Brushes with medium or hard bristles last a little longer, soft and orthodontic toothbrushes fail after 1-1.5 months of use.

Also, do not forget to buy a new toothbrush after completing your professional oral hygiene - this way you will not introduce an infection into the micro-wounds on the gums. Have a respiratory or intestinal disease? Replace your toothbrush with a new one to avoid re-infection with pathogenic viruses and bacteria that so love to multiply between wet toothbrush bristles.

How do I store my toothbrush?

A toothbrush is an ideal breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. They accumulate on it not only during brushing your teeth, but also accumulate from environment... Therefore, it is so important to store your oral care products properly.

Dentists recommend storing your toothbrush or replaceable work attachment in a cupboard or in a separate lockable compartment located on the body of your irrigator or electric toothbrush. The best option is to purchase a special ultraviolet disinfector for storing personal hygiene items: UV rays quickly evaporate excess moisture and kill pathogenic microorganisms. If the toothbrush is in an open area, it is important that the distance from the storage area to the toilet is at least three meters.

On business trips and travel, store your thoroughly dried toothbrush in a special case for transportation.

Today, there are many different devices for carrying out hygiene procedures. An innovative device for oral care is the irrigator. This device combines the function of cleaning the oral cavity under the pressure of water, as well as the function of an electric toothbrush. For many consumers, the important question is whether an irrigator or an electric toothbrush is better.

Before you figure out which is better, an electric toothbrush or an irrigator, you should familiarize yourself with the purpose of these devices, with their advantages and disadvantages. To care for the oral cavity, you can use a brush that works with ultrasound, classic or sonic. The irrigator should only be replaced if it is necessary to freshen the oral cavity and remove food particles and bacteria. Plaque and dirt can only be removed with a traditional brushing procedure. Electric toothbrushes perform the following functions:

cleaning enamel from plaque and food debris;
removal of accumulations of dirt in the interdental space and between the gums;
disinfection oral cavity;
gum tissue massage;
cleansing the surface of the tongue.

An ultrasonic toothbrush is a good alternative to a manual toothbrush. The cleaning device performs its function by rotating the working part. So, the head performs several thousand rotations per minute, this allows you to clean the surface of the dentition more efficiently. If there are no problems, dentists recommend choosing a classic model for brushing your teeth. Such devices are equipped with a motor built into the handle, due to which the working part rotates. A more effective cleaning of the teeth and interdental space is carried out. Besides, in sound devices the technology of vibration of sound waves works, which helps to fight plaque and deposits on the enamel.

Such a device operates from the mains, a rechargeable battery or batteries can be used. The latter are more convenient, since there are no restrictions.

Ultrasonic models are equipped with low frequency vibrations that are combined with ultrasound. During the movement of the bristles, together with ultrasound, a bactericidal and cleansing effect occurs in all areas of the oral cavity. Ultrasonic devices are great for caring for sensitive teeth, because the enamel processing is more accurate. Such devices are well suited for sensitive teeth, allowing you to treat the oral cavity more gently. Also, such devices can be equipped with additional attachments and functions, for example, a timer that shows the charging time, procedure time, backlight. Each member of the family can use its own nozzle for cleaning, so several people can use one device.

Does an irrigator replace a toothbrush? According to most experts, an irrigator cannot completely replace a toothbrush, despite the fact that both devices effectively remove plaque and bacteria, food particles. This is only an accessory that can be applied after the brush has been used.

Appointment of the irrigator

The functions of an irrigator combine effective cleaning of teeth. When used correctly, these devices effectively remove plaque, but it is not recommended to use them independently, without using a toothbrush. Only in combination of these devices will oral hygiene be complete and professional.

The irrigator is only auxiliary apparatus, which makes it possible to carry out auxiliary processing of the gums, the surface of the tongue, enamel. Cleansing takes place using water pressure. A jet of water under pressure strikes the enamel surface, penetrates into the areas between the teeth, even hard-to-reach, removing plaque and dirt accumulation. Also, using the device, you can remove pathogens (replacing the water with medicinal solutions or rinses). Through the attachments of the device, it is possible to penetrate into the most inaccessible places of the oral cavity, where the electrical unit may not reach.

The tips of these nozzles are thin and curved, so the removal of dirt is faster. You can use the device only after preliminary manipulations with the brush, only as an additional device with water. The effect on the enamel is made in different ways: the water flow can be continuous, pulsed or microbubble. In each case, you need to choose the most suitable type of hygiene device. It depends on the personal preference of the user.

With the help of an irrigator, the following actions are carried out:

Auxiliary cleaning in labor-intensive areas.
Disinfection with special solutions.
Refreshing with rinses.
Processing of periodontal pockets.
The possibility of washing the nasopharynx (using drugs or special fluids).
Micromassage of the gums.

This is an excellent addition to the main care product, it is better to combine the use of such products. This will allow for a complete hygienic procedure. It is necessary to choose the devices that the dentist will advise, especially if there are certain problems in the oral cavity ( inflammatory processes, gingivitis, caries, stomatitis, periodontitis).

Can the irrigator replace the brush

The key tool for performing oral care is a brush (electric or manual). With the help of additional tools and innovative devices, the quality of cleaning the oral cavity, dentition, interdental space, gums and tongue surface is improved.

The irrigator cannot completely replace the brush. These devices have different purposes, but they can be combined with each other during hygiene procedures, which will keep the chewing elements healthy.

The use of an irrigator cannot replace regular cleaning with electrical or manual tools. In order to keep your teeth healthy, it is better to use a complex of care products. And this: a brush (electric or manual), floss (threads for the care of the interdental space), an irrigator, a special scraper for the tongue.

Many people mistakenly assume that because an irrigator and an electric toothbrush are for oral care, you can brush your teeth daily with one of these appliances. In this connection, the question arises before them: which is better: an irrigator or an electric toothbrush? There can be only one answer to this question - nothing. This is due to the fact that both of these devices have completely different purposes.

This device is an excellent replacement for a conventional toothbrush. But, unlike her, this device copes with cleaning teeth from plaque and food debris an order of magnitude better, more efficiently and faster. There are several types of devices. Each of them has its own pros and cons. Therefore, before buying, it is extremely important to consult with your dentist, who will help you choose the most suitable one for you.

The use of an electrical device must be approached responsibly and the recommendations of the manufacturer and the dentist must be followed. Indeed, if they are not observed, such a device will only bring a lot of problems instead of benefit.

do not make translational movements near the gums;
timely (every three to four months) change the nozzles.

No matter how effective such a device is to remove plaque, it alone is not enough to care for the oral cavity.

This is due to the fact that food remains stuck between the teeth are out of reach for him. This is where an irrigator comes in handy.

Appointment of the irrigator

The irrigator is a new generation device designed to perform several functions. Among them:

cleaning hard-to-reach places oral cavity;
gum massage;
delayed stone formation.

It removes food debris in places where neither the manual nor the electric brush has access. The principle of its operation is to supply the thinnest jet of water or medicinal solution under strong pressure... That is, in fact, it "washes away" everything that is left after brushing with a toothbrush and also perfectly massages the gums, reduces their inflammation, strengthens and improves blood circulation in them.

The device consists of a reservoir for liquid and nozzles, according to the method of operation, it is divided into two types: stationary and portable... Each type has its own advantages. In the first case, it is power, and in the second, it is mobility.

The device is perfect for both daily use and for the treatment of periodontal disease and other diseases of the oral cavity.

For this, instead of ordinary water, special medicinal decoctions or solutions are used. As a rule, one device, with different attachments, can be used by all family members.

Conclusion

An electric toothbrush and an irrigator are two devices designed for oral care. However, it makes no sense to compare them, since both devices perform completely different functions. But their joint use allows you to achieve unsurpassed results in oral care. With them, your gums and teeth will be perfectly clean, strong and healthy.

Comprehensive oral care includes not only daily use of a toothbrush, but also the regular removal of food debris, plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach places. The ideal option is to perform such procedures every time after a meal. Irrigators perfectly cope with this task, creating a powerful stream of water that cleans all the "inconvenient" places.

Personally, I, realizing that oral hygiene is sacred, do not always adhere to such thoroughness in the recommendations. Or rather, I don’t stick to it at all - I brush my teeth twice a day and I think I’m already great. However, having children and related dental problems made me think about expanding the arsenal of oral hygiene products and purchasing an irrigator.

While choosing an irrigator, I realized that brushing your teeth is a whole science. Electric toothbrushes, floss, irrigators and brushes are part of a unified system of therapeutic and prophylactic actions. As a practical person, I became interested in the interchangeability of these things. Does an oral irrigator replace a toothbrush or floss? And, if so, which models do it better?

Irrigator vs toothbrush

Initially, I thought for myself and my husband to buy a Braun irrigator from these. However, a dilemma arose - to buy only a device or as part of a dental center with brushes? When asked whether an oral irrigator replaces a toothbrush, experts give an unambiguous answer. No device, even the most innovative one, is capable of performing the work of the bristles efficiently. The irrigator removes fresh food debris and pathogenic bacteria. Pigmented plaque, its harder layer can only be removed with a toothbrush. Therefore, large manufacturers offer to purchase an irrigator as part of a dental center, which additionally includes an electric toothbrush.

Irrigator vs dental floss

If everything is clear with the question of whether an irrigator replaces a toothbrush, then judgments about replacing dental floss with the operation of the device are not always unambiguous.

Dental floss or floss is a means of cleaning the interdental spaces. It is recommended to use it every time after meals or at least once a day.

Dental floss can vary in thickness, shape, and the presence of processing and impregnation. According to the location of the fibers, they are divided into:

Twisted;
Flat;
Round.

Depending on the processing, floss can be:

Waxed;
With additional impregnation (propolis, fluoride compounds).

The disadvantages of dental floss include its risk of injury and the inability to penetrate into some of the hard-to-reach places - areas of the cervical part of the tooth, under orthodontic structures. The irrigator successfully copes with this task, moreover, it damages the enamel and mucous membranes less. So the preference is given to irrigators.

However, when considering whether an irrigator replaces dental floss, dentists recommend remembering the frequency of cleaning... If you cannot carry a portable device with you and use it after every meal, it is best to use dental floss.

To summarize ...

As far as I understand, the irrigator is not absolutely universal remedy... In combination with a toothbrush and a floss, it is interpreted as an integral part of the system for maintaining the condition of the oral cavity at the proper level. The toothbrush is the backbone of the basics that nothing can replace. Dental floss is a convenient and easy way to quickly remove food debris. Its competent use will help to remove the nutrient medium for pathogenic microorganisms in a timely manner. The irrigator will help to clean special areas inaccessible to the brush and thread.

In addition, do not forget about regular visits to the dentist and professional cleaning, which should be done every six months.

Marina Oleinik

Dental floss and dental irrigator - these two tools allow you to provide complete dental cleaning and quality oral care. Do you need to use both at the same time, or can you prefer one or the other? We will talk about this today.

This floss is so difficult

Dental floss is an unusual hygienic product for caring for teeth and oral cavity. Nevertheless, floss is confidently entering our life and is gradually becoming a common accessory in Russian bathrooms along with toothpaste and a brush. Why is it needed? The fact is that even the most expensive toothbrush removes soft and pigmented plaque well from visible - well accessible, open surfaces of teeth. But she cannot get the pieces of food trapped between her teeth. And even more so, with the help of a single toothbrush, it is impossible to remove plaque on the lateral surfaces of the teeth and in places of their close contact. You can't do without dental floss.

Flossing is not easy for everyone. If you are experiencing difficulties in handling floss, then you can resort to using simple aids. We showed one of them in the photo. This compact device allows you to quickly and effortlessly clean your posterior teeth. If the dental floss is difficult to pass between the teeth, or every now and then is clamped tightly by them, then you need to replace it with a special - waxed floss. The good thing about dental floss is that you can take it with you wherever you go: it comes in compact, closed rolls with built-in cutters.

The simplest dental floss holder with a toothpick. The attachment makes it easier to master the tool.

Irrigator. Washes and massages

An irrigator is a home hygiene device. Now on the market there are bulky stationary irrigators for bathrooms, as well as "travel" compact irrigators with a battery that you can take with you on trips, business trips or on weekends out of town.