How to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush correctly and effectively?

• how effective is an ultrasonic toothbrush - reviews from dentists,
• ultrasonic toothbrushes – price, rating 2021.

The article was written by a dentist with more than 19 years of experience.

An ultrasonic toothbrush is one of the options for electric toothbrushes, and it is distinguished by the presence of a generator of ultrasonic waves, which loosens and removes plaque. Ultrasonic vibrations from the generator are transmitted to the bristles of the working brush head, causing them to vibrate at a frequency of 96,000,000 vibrations per minute. A special feature is that ultrasonic vibrations can propagate from the tips of the bristles deep into the tissue (about 5 mm).

Ultrasonic vibrations help weaken the attachment of pigment and microbial plaque to tooth enamel, i.e. contribute to its loosening. In addition, the penetration of ultrasound into tissues by 5 mm (from the point of contact of the bristles with the tooth surface) should ensure therapeutic effectiveness even in the depths of periodontal pockets and interdental spaces. It sounds good – especially for patients with gum disease, but in reality everything is not so rosy.

Ultrasonic brush: photo

The first ultrasonic toothbrush appeared in 1992, and it was produced under the Ultrasonex® brand (USA). Initially, this toothbrush contained only an ultrasound generator, but a few years later the manufacturer launched an improved model on the market, which, in addition to the ultrasound generator, also had a motor that generates sound waves. And at the moment there are ultrasonic toothbrushes that can work only due to ultrasound, or due to a combination of ultrasonic and sound vibrations.

In addition, you must distinguish ultrasonic toothbrushes from sonic ones (for example, such as Philips Sonicare, Donfeel or Xiaomi Soocas). These brushes do not have an ultrasonic generator, but only a motor that generates sound vibrations of the bristles - on average, usually somewhere from 20,000 to 40,000 vibrations per minute, but some advanced models produce even 60,000 vibrations per minute. Thus, the bristles of sonic toothbrushes make significantly fewer oscillations per minute (compared to ultrasonic ones), but the amplitude of the oscillatory movements will be greater.

Important: many manufacturers deceive consumers by calling their sonic toothbrushes ultrasonic. For example, if you see a product like “Xiaomi Soocas Ultrasonic Toothbrush” in an online store, then know that it is actually a sonic brush. It should be noted that there is a huge range of sonic toothbrushes, but only a few models of ultrasonic brushes are sold in Russia. And we have listed them below –

• Megasonex m8,
• Emmi-dent 6 Professional,
• Emmi-Dent 6 Platinum.

How does an ultrasonic toothbrush work?

An ultrasonic toothbrush contains a piezoceramic plate located under the bristles of the toothbrush head. This plate emits an ultrasonic vibration wave with a frequency of 1.6–1.7 MHz. Thanks to this, the bristles on the head of the toothbrush make about 100,000,000 oscillatory movements per minute. Below you can see how the Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush works.

Operation of the Megasonex ultrasonic brush (video 1) –

We have already said above that the piezoceramic plate generating ultrasound is located in the head of each replaceable nozzle (right at the base of the bristles). The nozzle must be changed - at least once every 3 months, even without visible wear of the bristles of the replacement nozzle. This is due to the fact that during the operation of the nozzle, the piezoceramic plate wears out, and over time, the power of the ultrasound generated by it decreases.

Differences between sonic toothbrushes –

Sonic-type brushes generate oscillatory waves not in the ultrasonic range, but in the sonic range (i.e. their frequency is much lower). Therefore, their bristles make a much smaller number of oscillatory movements - on average from 20,000 to 40,000 per minute, and some of the most advanced models up to 60,000 vibrations per minute. At the same time, we once again draw your attention to the fact that the amplitude of the oscillatory movements of the bristles of sonic brushes will be greater than that of ultrasonic brushes, and this is clearly visible when comparing the two videos.

Operation of the Xiaomi Soocas sonic brush (video 2) –

Important: the operation of a sonic toothbrush in water looks more impressive than the Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush. The flow of liquid and microbubbles are formed more actively here, but a glass of water is just a glass of water, and not the oral cavity. The fact is that when brushing your teeth, there will never be such a volume of liquid in your mouth that the oscillating bristles can drive it so intensely through the interdental spaces. In general, this test is far from practical, but it clearly demonstrates the difference in the amplitude of vibration of the bristles of sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes.

When considering the purchase of an ultrasonic toothbrush, remember that these devices definitely cannot be used by pregnant women, cancer patients, patients with diabetes, and patients with pacemakers.

Pros and cons of brushes

Of course, it is necessary to note the advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

• fight against microbes;
• destruction of plaque using waves;
• simplified removal of accumulated plaque;
• deep wave propagation;
• preventing the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity;
• effective teeth cleaning;
• effects without damage to enamel and gums;
• Can be used even with highly sensitive teeth;
• effective cleaning when wearing braces and dentures;
• sparing use of toothpaste;
• stimulation of blood circulation.

Disadvantages include:

• high cost, which not everyone can afford.

There are a number of contraindications that must be observed.

Brushes should not be used by anyone who has:

• crowns,
• fillings,
• veneers.

It is also contraindicated for use by pregnant women.

Ultrasonic toothbrush: price 2021

This section lists toothbrushes sold in Russia that use ultrasound. Brushes such as Omron, Panasonic, Philips, Donfeel, Xiaomi are not ultrasonic, but sonic brushes, and therefore read about them by clicking on the appropriate link. Below we compare several toothbrushes with each other (all prices are for 2021).

1) Ultrasonic brush Megasonex m8 –

Ultrasound frequency 1.6 MHz – 96 million vibrations per minute. However, what makes this brush different from others is that in addition to ultrasound, it simultaneously generates sound waves (like Sonicare sonic toothbrushes). It has 3 operating modes – intensive, gentle, ultrasound only. The kit contains a charger, 2 replacement tips and a travel case. Ultrasonic toothbrush Megasonex – price from 10,800 rubles.

Ultrasonic brush Megasonex –

Important features of Megasonex:

• a combination of ultrasonic and sound waves (in the “intense” mode - in addition to ultrasonic waves, you will receive 18,000 sound vibrations of the bristles per minute, in the “gentle” mode – 9,000 vibrations per minute),
• Due to the presence of sound waves, the bristles perform oscillatory movements of higher amplitude, i.e. this is an analogue of the sweeping movements of the bristles of sonic toothbrushes (such movements will allow you to sweep away dental plaque loosened by ultrasound from the surface of the teeth),
• there is an “ultrasound only” mode (without sound vibrations and vibrations) - this mode is absolutely silent, and the operation of the brush can only be understood by the green indicator light,
• ultrasound penetration depth 5 mm,
• teeth are brushed with light pressure (about 150 g) so that the bristles sweep away plaque after ultrasound has weakened its attachment to the tooth enamel,
• the brush is completely silent in the “ultrasound only” mode (there is no vibration of the handle, unlike most other brushes), but if the combined mode with sound waves is turned on, vibration will be present,
• more affordable cost of replacement nozzles (from 800 rubles for 2 pcs.),
• Additionally, you can purchase a “tongue scraper” attachment,
• 2 year warranty.

Minuses:

• no pressure sensor,
• The charge indication works “so-so”, so if you feel that the power has decreased, you need to immediately charge the brush,
• The manufacturer does not indicate the power of the ultrasonic generator.

Equipment Megasonex m8 (video) –

2) Ultrasonic brush “Emmi-dent 6 Professional” –

Ultrasound frequency 1.6 MHz (96 million vibrations per minute), 1 standard operating mode. The kit includes 2 attachments, 1 tube of Emmi-dent Fresh toothpaste, a case and a charger. Emmi-dent 6 Professional toothbrush – price from RUB 13,000. It should be noted that there is also an older model - “Emmi-Dent 6 Platinum” for 18,000 rubles, which in terms of functionality is practically no different from the younger model, except for an improved charger.

“Emmi-Dent” brushes (Professional/Platinum) –

While analyzing the Emmi-Dent website, unfortunately, I came across aggressive marketing and false statements. For example, they say that only their brushes have an ultrasonic generator (piezoceramic plate) located directly in the head of the toothbrush, i.e. right under the bristles of the replacement heads. But in fact, Megasonex m8 has exactly the same design. In addition, the Emmi-Dent website contains inaccurate information that when brushing your teeth with an ultrasonic toothbrush, you should only use toothpaste with zero abrasiveness (by luck - their own production). But now about the important thing.

Important features of Emmi-dent brushes:

• generate only ultrasound, i.e. there is no combination with sound waves,
• high power ultrasonic generator – 0.2 W,
• the manufacturer does not say to what depth ultrasound penetrates, but claims that the antibacterial effect of air bubbles formed in the liquid when ultrasound passes through it extends deep into the gums up to 12 mm (it’s difficult to comment on this :)),
• Previously, the manufacturer of Emmi-dent brushes said that you don’t even have to touch your teeth with their brush, but now they have changed the strategy and say that it is necessary to touch the teeth with the bristles, but without pressure (and this makes sense, since air represents acts as a barrier to ultrasonic waves),
• During operation, Emmi-dent creates a forced vibration of the brush handle so that the user understands that the brush is working (normally, the operation of the ultrasonic generator should be absolutely silent).

Minuses:

• generates only ultrasound (no combination with sound waves),
• the handle of the Emmi-dent 6 Professional and Emmi-Dent 6 Platinum ultrasonic toothbrushes is not very comfortable (especially when compared with Megasonex, which is comfortable and pleasant to hold in your hand).
• design - so-so
• higher cost of replacement nozzles (from 1200 rubles for 2 pieces),
• The bristles of the Emmi-dent attachments are quite coarse,
• they write that the product was made in Germany, but in fact in China,
• they write that you can only use their “Emmi-dent” toothpaste with an RDA of zero (i.e. zero abrasiveness, which is certainly nonsense, since modern abrasives in toothpastes are spherical cut and do not scratch tooth enamel,
• Well, the most important disadvantage is below.

Important: in fact, the Emmi-dent brush removes pigmented and microbial plaque rather mediocrely (especially if you use their non-abrasive toothpastes). And the reason for this is very simple. The fact is that ultrasound only loosens plaque well, and does not remove it from the surface of the teeth or from the interdental spaces. The manufacturer, trying to give its product unique properties, says that you do not need to touch your teeth with bristles and make traditional sweeping movements.

Therefore, the plaque actually loosens, but remains on the teeth, because Unlike the Megasonex brush, the Emmi-dent bristles do not have a large amplitude of oscillatory movements that would be capable of sweeping away plaque. And just rinsing your mouth after brushing to remove loose plaque will not be enough. Therefore, some of the attached plaque will definitely remain. And the same thing is true with dental deposits in periodontal pockets or interdental spaces.

The brush manufacturer Megasonex is more truthful in its promises, and honestly says that a little pressure when brushing your teeth is still necessary. But the fact is that Megasonex brushes, in addition to ultrasonic vibrations, have bristles that vibrate in the audio range (i.e. with a much larger amplitude), making small sweeping movements similar to those of sonic toothbrushes. Those. in this case, we are ready to talk about the advantage of those ultrasonic toothbrushes in which ultrasonic vibrations are combined with sonic ones.

Comparison of the power of the ultrasonic generator for Megasonex and Emmi-dent toothbrushes –

does not disclose the power of the ultrasonic generator in its device, saying only that ultrasound penetrates to a depth of 5 mm. But independent measurements show that Megasonex actually has less power than, for example, Emmi-dent toothbrushes. The latter have a declared generator power of 0.2 W, but they do not write to what depth the ultrasound propagates (they only write about the “depth of the antibacterial effect of the formed air bubbles” - equal to 12 mm).

At first glance, the lower power of the ultrasound generator may seem like a disadvantage of Megasonex ultrasonic brushes. On the one hand, this is true, but Megasonex works not only using ultrasound, but it also has modes in which ultrasonic waves are combined with sound waves. And we can safely say that this combination cleans teeth much better than high-power ultrasound alone. The fact is that when working only in the ultrasonic range, the bristles of the nozzle have very small vibrations and do not perform sweeping movements, removing loosened plaque from the surface of the teeth. Ultrasound only loosens plaque. The sonic vibrations of the bristles have a much larger amplitude, simulating the sweeping movements of a manual brush and fully sonic toothbrushes.

Important: in addition, below in the article we will also tell you about the disadvantages of powerful ultrasound. The negative effects of the passage of ultrasonic waves develop primarily at the interface of media, for example, filling/tooth or artificial crown/cement/tooth, etc. And this leads to a gradual weakening of the fixation of composite filling materials, gradual destruction of cement under artificial crowns, etc.

Feedback about use

Positive reviews

Irina, 25. My dentist advised me to buy an ultrasonic brush. I doubted it for a very long time and decided to purchase it and start using it. First of all, I was afraid that my already weak enamel would bother me.

However, no problems arose, the brush does an excellent job of removing plaque, and I do not experience any discomfort in use.

In addition, toothpaste is saved, and the cleaning process does not take much time. I am very glad that I purchased an ultrasonic brush, and it made the color of my teeth even snow-white.

Oleg, 31 . I am a former dentist and I know the benefits and effects of ultrasonic brushes. Despite the high cost, I purchase such brushes on a regular basis and regularly replace them with new ones.

My teeth are always cleaned well, and it doesn't take much time. Therefore, I choose this brush and my children also brush their teeth with ultrasonic brushes.

Despite the high cost, I don’t think about whether it’s expensive at all. After all, the service life of the brushes is quite long and cleaning with such brushes is really very effective.

I am very glad that technology does not stand still and the constant process of development pleases us, dentists and consumers.

How to brush your teeth with an ultrasonic brush –

Wet the bristles of your toothbrush head and apply a strip of toothpaste to it. You can use the most ordinary toothpaste, and under no circumstances listen to recommendations that you can only use their toothpaste with zero abrasiveness. The only thing you should not use is whitening toothpastes (as they tend to be more abrasive than RDA 100).

Next, you should spread the toothpaste over the inner and outer surfaces of your teeth. Place the head of the brush with bristles against the surface of your teeth. You can start with the upper row of teeth on the outside, then move inside, and then move to the lower row of teeth from the inside and outside. You should simply press the bristles of the brush head against your teeth without making any movements with the handle of the toothbrush. The coverage of the brush head is 2 teeth; rest the brush against your teeth, wait 5 seconds - then move the brush to the next section of the dentition.

After finishing cleaning, you should, without turning off the brush, rinse the bristles under running cool tap water and then turn it off. Charge your ultrasonic brush from time to time (especially if you notice a decrease in the sonic vibration power of the bristles). You should not allow the brush to completely lose its charge, because... this will reduce the battery life. Change the replacement brush as soon as you notice that the bristles are no longer completely straight, and at least once every 3 months. On the Megasonex m8 brush, the nozzle can be changed in a clever way (there is a special lever) - the video below shows how this is done.

Care after ultrasonic teeth cleaning

After the procedure, a feeling of freshness and cleanliness appears, the enamel brightens, becomes perfectly smooth, and pleasant to the touch. To maintain the results as long as possible, it is recommended to carefully care for your teeth, brushing them after every meal or at least 2 times a day.

On the first day, slight sensitivity is possible, so it is better to avoid foods that are too cold or hot. It is also recommended to limit the intake of coloring products (coffee, tea, wine) for a couple of days so that the whiteness of the enamel will please you for a long time.

Dentists advise purchasing a new toothbrush. After ultrasound treatment, the gums are slightly irritated and vulnerable to infection. And your old brush can serve as a source of harmful bacteria.

Ultrasonic toothbrushes: reviews, disadvantages

It is better to read reviews of an ultrasonic toothbrush on Amazon (with a browser translator), or on Yandex Market or Ozone. The last two sites also have truthful reviews, but most of the positive comments have nothing to do with reality. The most important thing is that ultrasonic toothbrushes actually do not clean your teeth as well when you compare them to Oral-B brushes, as well as sonic toothbrushes.

I understand that as a dentist, it is much easier for me to distinguish truthful reviews from commercial ones. And I will give you the following example. One of the buyers in the review noted that the quality of oral hygiene after purchasing an ultrasonic toothbrush worsened, and within a couple of weeks small dental deposits became noticeable on the teeth, i.e. tartar. To which commentators (who had previously written positive reviews themselves) began to accuse him of deception, arguing that nothing like that could happen, because The process of tartar formation itself is too slow and occurs in at least six months.

So, in order to evaluate the professionalism of such commentators (I think related to the promotion of ultrasonic brushes on the Internet), it is worth noting that the formation of tartar can occur in just 1 week. Tartar is formed from soft microbial plaque - through its gradual mineralization by calcium salts contained in saliva. The rate of mineralization is different for all people, but if you haven’t brushed your teeth well and there is soft microbial plaque left somewhere on the surface of the enamel, its partial mineralization occurs on average in just 12-16 hours.

Partially mineralized plaque is not as hard as tartar, but it is already firmly attached to the tooth enamel and cannot be completely removed with a regular toothbrush. In addition, it makes the enamel rough, which promotes the rapid deposition of new portions of soft plaque (and their subsequent mineralization). Thus, if you change your brush and it doesn’t clean your teeth well, you can notice the appearance of tartar in 1 week, 2 weeks, or 1 month. Differences in timing will depend on how poorly the brush copes with microbial plaque, and exactly how much microbial plaque remains on your teeth.

Important: many patients ask about the possibility of removing tartar with an ultrasonic toothbrush, probably thinking that this could be an alternative to ultrasonic teeth cleaning at the dentist. Unfortunately, this cannot be an alternative, and an ultrasonic brush will not be able to rid you of existing hard plaque. Of course, some fragments of dental plaque may “break off” from the tooth enamel, but the surface of the enamel will still remain rough, which will lead to the rapid adhesion of new portions of plaque to the rough surface. But all this, unfortunately, is not all the disadvantages of ultrasonic toothbrushes.

Is there any harm from an electric toothbrush?

Electric brushes appeared not so long ago - in 1954. Initially, they were intended for people with impaired hand motor skills, but after weighing the pros and cons, they became available to every user. The use of advanced technologies has made it possible to improve electric toothbrushes, minimize contraindications, and provide them with many functional capabilities. As a result, today there are three types of electrical appliances on the market, differing in the way they clean teeth:

• Mechanical - works on batteries or batteries and cleans plaque due to pulsating or translational-rotational movements from the motor.
• Sonic - creates sound waves that act on the membrane under the bristles and cause it to perform oscillatory movements.
• Ultrasonic - similar to sound, but generates ultrasonic frequencies, thanks to which its head carries out up to 200 million vibrations per minute.

Throughout the evolution of these devices, scientists have tirelessly studied the pros and cons of their use. It turns out that the pros and cons of an electric toothbrush have a lot to do with the material the bristles are made of. Cheap models often use a pile made of too hard or, on the contrary, soft plastic. In the first case, the surface of the teeth is not completely cleaned and becomes a favorable environment for the accumulation of pathogenic microbes. In the second case, the bristles begin to scratch the enamel and gums, contributing to their damage. To avoid buying a low-quality device, check out our article “How to Choose the Best Electric Toothbrush: Expert Advice.”

The second factor that causes harm to electric toothbrushes is the need to regularly replace the head. On average, it lasts 3 months, after which you need to install a new one. For more details on how often to change the head on an electric toothbrush, read our article. If you continue to use the old head, it will remove less plaque and will no longer kill bacteria that accumulate in the mouth. The result is yellowed teeth, caries, and the development of various dental diseases.

To completely eliminate harm from the use of hygiene products, you should buy only high-quality devices from trusted manufacturers. These are the products presented in our online store. Here you can choose reliable Oral-B Braun devices that effectively clean your teeth. In addition to electrical appliances, we offer attachments with an antibacterial effect and a bristle color indicator, which will promptly warn you that it is time to change the attachment head.

Other disadvantages of ultrasonic toothbrushes –

In order to appreciate some of the disadvantages, you don’t need to be a dentist, but you just need to know a little physics. In this case, we are especially interested in the peculiarities of the passage of ultrasound through solid media (after all, ultrasound penetrates deep into tissues by 4-5 mm), and we usually have fillings, veneers and crowns on our teeth. And there's something interesting here.

1) Reduced service life of fillings, veneers, crowns –

Ultrasound is an oscillatory wave of very high frequency, which from the tips of the bristles of a toothbrush can spread 4-5 mm deep. Thus, ultrasound passing through any hard tissue (teeth, fillings, crowns, gums) creates vibrations in them, i.e. microvibrations. If we are talking about completely healthy teeth, then passing ultrasound through them does not create any problems.

But in heterogeneous solid media/materials (for example, a tooth with a filling or a crown), ultrasonic vibrations propagate differently. This is due to the fact that different materials have different wave resistance indicators, which depends on their structure, structure, and physical properties of the material. You can familiarize yourself with this from a physics course (see the laws of propagation of ultrasound in inhomogeneous solid media).

Features of the effect of ultrasound on fillings - however, a completely different situation arises in teeth that have fillings, crowns, veneers, inlays, and metal pins installed in the root canals (24stoma.ru). In terms of their physical properties, filling materials differ from tooth tissue. And therefore, when an ultrasonic vibrational wave passes through, the filling will experience vibrations (vibration) different from the vibration of the preserved tooth tissue, i.e. The filling and tooth tissue will vibrate differently. And this is where the most interesting thing happens...

The fact is that the discrepancy between microvibrations causes their conflict, which occurs at the boundary of solid media (such as the boundaries of filling/tooth, crown/tooth, metal pin/tooth). This conflict leads to the destruction of the bonding component between these solid media. For example, between a composite light-polymer filling and the tooth tissues there is always a layer of adhesive (bond), and between the veneer, crown and tooth tissues there is a cement that binds them. So, the gradual destruction of the adhesive at the filling/tooth interface gradually leads to a deterioration in the fixation of the filling to the tooth tissue over time.

And the same applies to veneers, inlays, artificial crowns, and the process of destruction will not be sudden, but gradual. As a dentist, I worked for a very long time, including in periodontal care. Here it must be said that any doctor who removes dental plaque from patients with ultrasonic scalers has to periodically deal with the loss of fillings (which, by the way, fall out quite well even without ultrasound). The first to fall out, of course, are poorly placed fillings with weak attachment of the filling to the tooth tissue. Those. Of course, ultrasonic vibrations will to some extent affect the durability of fillings and the fixation of veneers and crowns.

Is it then necessary to remove dental plaque with ultrasound at all: and you, of course, may have a reasonable question - is it then even worth removing dental plaque at the dentist using ultrasound? The fact is that usually dental plaque is removed by the dentist no more than once a year - such frequency will not cause significant harm to the fillings, unlike, for example, the constant daily use of ultrasound twice a day at home. Therefore, you should not be afraid of ultrasonic teeth cleaning at the dentist, because... such cleaning has many more advantages, preventing the development of caries, as well as gum inflammation.

2) Destruction of demineralized areas of enamel –

Some people have whitish chalky spots on the surface of the enamel (Fig. 7-8). These spots are areas of low enamel mineralization, i.e. In these areas, the tooth enamel contains too little calcium. By the way, such lesions are nothing more than the initial stage of caries, which is called caries in the white spot stage. The enamel in such areas has a matte tint, it lacks shine, and at the same time it is very fragile and porous (that is, it could easily be scraped off with a sharp instrument).

Inexperienced dentists often have situations when, when removing dental plaque from a patient with ultrasound, they touch the ultrasonic scaler attachment to such areas of fragile demineralized enamel, which leads to its destruction (formation of a defect). So, daily use of ultrasound to clean teeth can cause gradual destruction of demineralized areas of enamel, which will lead to the need for tooth filling. But, if the teeth are well mineralized, then the use of ultrasound will be safe.

3) Use for gum inflammation (gingivitis, periodontitis) –

The use of ultrasonic toothbrushes in the acute period of gum inflammation, i.e. when there is pain, suppuration, swelling, edema or bleeding - it is strictly contraindicated. This is due to the fact that the use of ultrasound in the acute period only leads to worsening inflammation (spread of infection). This banal truth is written in any physical therapy manual. But as for chronic forms of gingivitis and periodontitis, I would like to insert a few comments.

Acute and chronic forms of gingivitis –

The cause of the development of gingivitis is insufficient oral hygiene - due to which soft microbial plaque accumulates on the teeth, which causes inflammation of the gums. Patients with gingivitis - before starting to use an ultrasonic toothbrush, you must first undergo a course of professional oral hygiene from a dentist, including a 10-day course of drug therapy (including antiseptic rinses and anti-inflammatory gel applications). This course will be effective only after removing dental plaque. And then you can safely start using an ultrasonic toothbrush.

Periodontitis differs from gingivitis in that with this form of inflammation of the gums, the destruction of the dentogingival attachment itself occurs, which is expressed in the appearance of so-called “periodontal pockets” between the surface of the roots of the teeth and the gums (Fig. 16). Subgingival dental deposits are located in such pockets, i.e. subgingival tartar, consisting of a large number of pathogenic bacteria and mineral salts.

Periodontitis, periodontal pockets –

It is strictly forbidden to use an ultrasonic toothbrush if you have subgingival dental plaque. The fact is that ultrasound destroys the cell walls of pathogenic bacteria, leading to the release of a large number of toxins and inflammatory mediators into the lumen of periodontal pockets. And this will certainly lead to an increase in gum inflammation, including accelerated destruction of the periodontal attachment and bone tissue around the tooth. Therefore, I would categorically not use an ultrasonic brush until subgingival dental plaque is completely removed (and even after that).

Bone tissue in the area of ​​periodontal pockets is not simply destroyed - it is replaced by soft inflammatory granulation tissue. By the way, these granulations (together with subgingival dental deposits) are removed during flap operations, which are the main method of treating periodontitis. Granulation tissue contains a large number of osteoclasts - cells that actively resorb bone tissue. Under the influence of ultrasound, the activity of osteoclasts in granulation tissue increases, which automatically leads to an increase in the rate of destruction of bone tissue, and the appearance of tooth mobility over time.

Therefore, all the assurances that ultrasonic toothbrushes are very useful for periodontal diseases are very, very, very far from the truth. And it would be more useful for you to use not an ultrasonic, but a sonic toothbrush in combination with an oral irrigator.

Benefits of hygiene using the AirFlow method

Professional teeth cleaning, in the dentist's chair, has a positive effect not only on health, preventing the occurrence and development of carious lesions, gum inflammation and other ailments, but also gives a good aesthetic result - without resorting to chemical whitening, you can make your smile several shades lighter.

Other advantages of the technique:

• complete safety for enamel;
• absence of unpleasant and painful sensations
• affordable price.

Comprehensive professional oral hygiene at the dentist will help you get rid of stains for a long time after removing braces and pigmentation caused by smoking, excessive consumption of tea, coffee and other coloring drinks.

Conclusions -

As a dentist, I would not recommend using ultrasonic toothbrushes to my patients. And even if the choice of the Megasonex m8 toothbrush seems preferable to me (in comparison with the Emmi-Dent brushes), then I think that both of these brushes are absolutely not up to the quality of teeth cleaning - modern sonic brushes, and especially before Oral-B electric brushes. The latter are, in fact, a dentist’s instrument in miniature. Read more about them in the article linked below.

→ Electric toothbrushes

Where to buy an ultrasonic brush and how much does it cost?

You can purchase an ultrasonic brush in dentists, pharmacies, and also order it on the Internet. The cost of such brushes is far from small. The very first brand to produce this brush and occupy a leading position is Philips.

In general, the cost of these brushes varies; you can choose one for each individual according to your financial capabilities:

• Donfeel HSD-005 – cost 2750 rubles;
• Asahi Irica AU300D – cost 9,500 rubles;
• Megasonex m8 – cost 9,000 rubles;
• Emmi-dent 6 Ultrasound Toothbrush - cost 12,500 rubles.

As you can see, each brush reaches a different price, but overall the price is not small.

The future belongs to atomic toothbrushes

You probably already understood from the title that it was written with irony. In the modern world, unfortunately, everything is tied to money and trade. We can already predict that in the very next few years there will appear “atomic toothbrushes”, “magnetic resonance toothbrushes”, as well as other products with artificially developed demand, the purpose of which is only one thing - to make money by introducing the next useless “new product” to the market "

The fact is that the toothbrush market has one feature characteristic of mass-market products - toothbrushes are a product with a short life cycle (a marketing term). That is why manufacturers of such goods constantly release new products to the market, so that the buyer makes a choice in favor of their new product, because a new product is always easier to sell - even at a higher price than its competitors. Therefore, I consider ultrasonic toothbrushes a completely dead product with artificially developed demand. We hope that our article on the topic: Ultrasonic toothbrush reviews was useful to you!

Sources:

1. Dental education of the author of the article, 2. Based on personal experience in the use of electricity. toothbrushes, 3. National Library of Medicine (USA), 4. American Academy of Periodontology (USA), 5. https://megasonex.com/, 6. https://www.realself.com/.

Contraindications to ultrasonic teeth cleaning

Although ultrasonic teeth cleaning is recommended for all patients, there are still contraindications:

• cardiac arrhythmia and other serious ailments of the cardiovascular system;
• presence of a pacemaker;
• chronic asthma, bronchitis;
• exacerbation of any respiratory diseases;
• serious infectious diseases - hepatitis, tuberculosis;
• childhood and adolescence.

Unfortunately, ultrasonic cleaning is not suitable for patients who have dental implants and orthopedic structures in the mouth. The fact is that vibrations of ultrasonic waves can disrupt the integrity of some products. This happens extremely rarely, but still not worth the risk. In this case, an alternative method is used - Air Flow abrasive cleaning.

Disadvantages and contraindications for use

Before purchasing and using an electric toothbrush, you should consult your dentist. It is contraindicated for certain people and can even harm their teeth. It is not recommended to use an electric toothbrush:

• People with obvious defects and damage to teeth;
• People with serious types of caries;
• For those with thin and sensitive enamel;
• For wearers of veneers, crowns or other structures;

Don’t forget about regularly changing the attachments for your electric brush. This should be done every 3-6 months.

Read us on Yandex Zen: What you need to know about electric toothbrushes?

Operating principle

The removal of contaminants from the enamel (food residues, plaque, stone) of any brush is ensured by the vibration of the bristles.
In conventional models, the speed of movement of the villi depends on the intensity of human movements. Electric brushes work independently. The motor built into the handle provides high frequency (from 5,000 to more than 30,000 rotations per minute) and more effective teeth cleaning results. A special timer, internal or external, simplifies control over the duration of the procedure. Electric brushes have no medical contraindications - they are allowed to be used by children over three years of age and adults.
The brush consists of three main parts:

• replaceable head. One brush with different attachments can be used by several people.
• head holder.
• handle, which includes: motor, control unit, power source.

The electric brush runs on batteries or a rechargeable battery, so the kit necessarily includes a charger designed for a regular outlet. There are brushes that are powered from the mains. But such devices have not yet become widespread because they are characterized by low mobility: they operate within a limited radius.

Replaceable brush heads allow the whole family to use one brush

When an ultrasonic brush will not cause harm –

• when there are no fillings, crowns, veneers, etc. on the teeth.
• when you do not have dental plaque (especially subgingival plaque),
• when you do not have gingivitis, periodontitis, untreated teeth,
• with periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease differs from periodontitis and gingivitis in that bone resorption during periodontal disease is not associated with inflammatory changes in the gums, but with processes of tissue degeneration (without any signs of inflammation). In this case, improving blood microcirculation in the gums can be beneficial. However, in 99.99% of cases, gum disease in people is associated precisely with insufficient hygiene, infection and inflammation, and not dystrophy.