Toothbrush
Manual toothbrush
Shape of toothbrush head
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Conventional
All conventional toothbrush head designs are effective in cleansing every tooth
surface.
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Diamond shape
The tips of these toothbrush heads are narrower than those of the conventional ones.
These tips are designed for easy access to posterior teeth.
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A toothbrush with any kind of brush head cleans teeth effectively. However, the
size of the brush head should be considered according to the size of the oral cavity:
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0-2 years
Brush head size should be approximately the diameter of a Hong Kong 10-cent coin
(~15mm).
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2-6 years
Brush head size should be approximately the diameter of a Hong Kong 20-cent coin
(~19mm).
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6-12 years
Brush head size should be approximately the diameter of a Hong Kong 50-cent coin
(~22mm).
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12 years and above
Brush head size should be approximately the diameter of a Hong Kong one-dollar coin
(~25mm).
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Bristle pattern
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Block pattern
The bristles are of the same length and are arranged neatly like a block.
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Wavy or V-shape pattern
The bristles form a V-shape or wavy pattern. According to the manufacturer, this
is intended to give the bristles a better contact with the areas around the adjacent
tooth surfaces.
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Advantage
If these toothbrushes are used correctly, it is claimed by the manufacturer that
their bristles will naturally be pointing at the gum line at a 45 degree angle.
It is also suggested that since the bristles at the brush tip are longer, it enables
the toothbrush to reach the difficult-to-clean areas.
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In fact, any of the above brush head design can effectively clean the teeth. Nonetheless,
the bristles must be soft. Thus, you can choose according to your personal preference.
Handle design
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Straight handle
All conventional toothbrushes have straight handles that are easier to control.
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Contra-angle handle
This handle design is similar to a dental instrument, intending to access to the
difficult to clean areas.
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Flexible handle
This kind of handle intends to reduce gum injury caused by excessive brushing force.
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Slip prevention grip handle
This handle intends to prevent the toothbrush from slipping away during toothbrushing.
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None of the handle design possesses special tooth cleansing effect. You may make
your choices according to your personal preference.
Powered Toothbrush
Mechanical motions of different brush heads
Brush head oscillates sideways, forwards and backwards.
Each tuft of bristles rotates individually.
The entire brush head rotates in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.
Is it suitable for you?
• People with special needs, such as the physically and mentally disabled,
may choose to use powered toothbrushes.
• The high oscillation/rotation speed of the powered toothbrush may cause injury
to the teeth if it is not used correctly. The technique in using powered toothbrush
is different from that of the manual toothbrush. You should consult your dentist
to achieve an optimal cleansing effect with your powered toothbrush.
• As powered toothbrushes are more expensive than manual toothbrushes, you
may consider using it according to your financial capability.
Superbrush
Function
It is designed to simultaneously clean the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of
teeth.
Toothbrush head design
Three brush heads are combined together in the Superbrush. When the brush is placed
on the chewing surface, all the three surfaces of the tooth are cleaned simultaneously.
It shortens the brushing time.
Is Superbrush suitable for you?
• User should have well aligned teeth.
• It is suitable for parents and health care workers who have to brush the
teeth for the children or disabled, or for those whose manual dexterity is inadequate.
The choice of toothbrush is a matter of personal preference. If you are interested
in using the Superbrush, you can try it.
Single-tuft toothbrush
What is a Single-tuft toothbrush?
It is a toothbrush with a very small head which can be used to clean wisdom teeth
and crooked teeth effectively. There are various shapes of the brush head. The cleansing
effectiveness of different shapes of the brush head is the same.
Function and method of use
It is used to clean the areas which are unreachable by conventional toothbrush such
as:
• Wisdom teeth
Method of use:
Hold the brush in a pen grip, and place the bristles at the gum margin of the wisdom
tooth and brush gently to clean every tooth surface.
It is used to clean the areas which are unreachable by conventional toothbrush such
as:
• Crooked teeth
Method of use:
Hold the brush in a pen grip, and place the bristles over the tooth area where conventional
toothbrush cannot reach and brush gently.
Interdental brush
Function and method of use
• Cleaning the adjacent tooth surfaces with a wide interdental space.
In case of gingival recession due to Periodontal Disease, the gap between the roots
of the neighbouring teeth is wide. Under this situation, an interdental brush may
be used instead of dental floss.
Insert the interdental brush into the gap between the roots of the teeth, brush
forward and backward to clean the adjacent tooth surfaces.
• Cleaning tooth surfaces underneath fixed orthodontic appliances.
It is rather difficult to clean the teeth with fixed orthodontic appliances in place.
Therefore, people wearing fixed orthodontic appliances should pay special attention
to their oral hygiene in order to reduce the chance of Dental Caries development.
The teeth and the appliance should be cleaned in the morning and before bed at night
everyday as well as after each meal.
Suggested cleansing method:
• Firstly, brush the area between the orthodontic appliance and gingivae (gums).
Then, brush the area between the appliance and the crown of the teeth.
• Finally, insert an interdental brush into the area between the teeth and
the appliance to clean.
Flossing is difficult for people wearing fixed orthodontic appliances. Hence, superfloss
can be used to facilitate the removal of dental plaque on the adjacent tooth surfaces.
Designs of interdental brush
• Toothbrush head design
Different sizes of brush head suit different widths of the interdental spaces.
• Handle design
Long handle is suitable for home use, short handle (travel pack) is convenient to
be carried around.
• Replacement pack
When the brush head is worn out, it can be replaced. It is economical.
Which kind is suitable for you?
All kinds of interdental brush have the same cleansing effect. You can choose whatever
you like. For example, a travel pack will be used when traveling and a replacement
pack will be more economical.