The teeth are an important part of the anatomy. If they are not taken care of, they can become decayed, weak and possibly fall out. This can make it hard to eat and the mouth can be subject to a build-up of bacteria. Preventive maintenance for the teeth involves the use of toothbrushes, which come in various types.
Manual
Manual toothbrushes are one of the most common and popular types on the market. They have a plastic handle with nylon bristles that range from soft to coarse. They also come in varieties that have a special angled head to reach back teeth easier. The handles can have a non-slip grip on them and they can also be flexible. The heads are rectangular or tapered and the bristles are either flat, rippled, or aligned in the shape of a dome.
Sonic
Sonic care toothbrushes are rechargeable and they come with a number of features. Bacteria buildup on a manual toothbrush is a very common thing. Some forms of sonic care toothbrushes have a built-in sanitizer to prevent bacteria from building up once you are done brushing. The brush is placed in a sanitizing unit where it is hit with UV sanitizer which kills the bacteria. This is the same technology that hospitals use to clean instruments.The bristles in a sonic care toothbrush move at a high rate of speed in a vibrating motion. They mix with toothpaste, water and saliva to promote fast and efficient plaque removal and they have built-in timers that let you know when two minutes is up. The biggest drawback with this type of toothbrush is that they are expensive.
Electric
Electric toothbrushes are similar to sonic care brushes but they do not have as many features. They are rechargeable and they come in versions that move in side-to-side, circular, counter and rotational directions. Basically, they mimic all the normal motions that are done with manual brushing. The older style electric toothbrushes have big, wide handles and they make a buzzing sound when they are being used.
Chewable
When you do not have access to water or toothpaste, you can use a chewable toothbrush. These are small and they can sometimes be found in vending machines. They have the head of a manual toothbrush with bristles and they have gelatin and xylitol built into them. Xylitol is a type of sweetener that promotes healthy teeth. You chew on it just like gum for several minutes, then discard it when you are finished.
