17 February 2014
Electric Toothbrush and Sonicare
With a manual toothbrush, dental experts say you should brush your teeth for at least two minutes, using short, gentle strokes, and giving extra attention to the gum line, the hard-to-reach back teeth and the areas around crowns and filings and braces. Of course, an electric-powered toothbrush is a better alternative as it can do a more thorough job of cleaning the teeth, especially for children, those with arthritis and those who otherwise have limited dexterity with their hands. Most electric toothbrushes can operate at anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 strokes per minute, and because of this, it can take less time and effort to get the job done right.
Electric toothbrushes are usually classified into two general categories according to their type of cleaning action, that is, whether they employ vibration or rotation-oscillation. The newest development in the field of electric toothbrushes are the so-called ‘sonic toothbrushes’ which use sound waves to clean the teeth. It is called ‘sonic’ because its operating frequency, for example 31,000 movements per minute, is within the human hearing range of between roughly 20 hertz to about 20,000 hertz. Typically, these sonic toothbrushes operate at a frequency of 1.6 MHz, which translates to 192,000,000 movements per minute. Some have an additional sonic vibration ranging from 9,000 to 40,000 movements per minute. All modern electric toothbrushes, whether ‘sonic’ or regular, run on low voltage of 12v or less. A few units use a step-down transformer to power the brush, but most use a battery, usually but not always rechargeable and non-replaceable, fitted inside the handle, which is hermetically sealed to prevent water damage.
Sonicare by Philips, with its patented sonic technology, is claimed to be the number one recommended sonic toothbrush brand by dental professionals worldwide. According to the company, “The carefully researched and patented sonic combination of approximately 31,000 brush strokes per minute and the specific reach of the brush head as it sweeps back and forth are what create Sonicare’s unique dynamic cleaning action. This unique combination achieves the clinically proven disruption of plaque biofilm, even in hard-to-reach areas.” Moreover, among the different Sonicare models, Philips say that the “Sonicare DiamondClean is the most advanced sonic toothbrush we’ve ever made, featuring our very latest technology. It’s clinically proven to whiten teeth in just one week, remove up to 100% more plaque in hard-to-reach places and improve your gum health in just two weeks, compared to a manual toothbrush.”
What sets Sonicare apart from other electric toothbrushes? Firstly, it achieves its bristle velocity through a combination of high-frequency and high-amplitude bristle motions which create dynamic cleaning action that drives fluids deep into the tight spaces between the teeth and along the gum line. Secondly, the Sonicare brush head is contoured to fit the natural shape of the teeth, creating a larger brushing surface on the brush head, and the bristles are placed at precise angles to further maximise coverage. Finally, Sonicare, with its extremely soft bristles, is gentler on dentine than a manual or an oscillating toothbrush. All Sonicare models include innovative patient compliance features like the Quadpacer and the Smartimer which are designed to motivate patients to brush thoroughly and regularly.
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