Editing Toothbrush (section)

==Types of toothbrush==

===Multi-sided toothbrushes===
[[File:Six-sided toothbrush.png|right|thumb|A six-sided toothbrush used to brush all sides of the teeth, in both the upper and lower jaw, at the same time.]]

A multi-sided toothbrush is a fast and easy way to brush the teeth.

===Electric toothbrush===
{{main|Electric toothbrush}}
[[File:So Many Choices (11693539025).jpg|thumb|Various electric toothbrush heads]]

It has been discovered that compared to a manual brush, the multi-directional power brush might reduce the incidence of gingivitis and plaque, when compared to regular side-to-side brushing. These brushes tend to be more costly and damaging to the environment when compared to manual toothbrushes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New research finds electric toothbrushes 'fairly horrifying' for the environment - but bamboo brushes aren't the answer|url=https://www.independent.ie/news/environment/new-research-finds-electric-toothbrushes-fairly-horrifying-for-the-environment-but-bamboo-brushes-arent-the-answer-39533694.html|access-date=2021-05-08|website=independent|date=15 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Most studies report performances equivalent to those of manual brushings, possibly with a decrease in plaque and gingivitis.<ref name="pmid21154357">{{cite journal|last=Deacon|first=SA|author2=Glenny, AM |author3=Deery, C |author4=Robinson, PG |author5=Heanue, M |author6=Walmsley, AD |author7= Shaw, WC |title=Different powered toothbrushes for plaque control and gingival health.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=Dec 8, 2010|issue=12|pages=CD004971|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004971.pub2|pmid=21154357 |volume=56|pmc=8406707}}</ref> An additional timer and pressure sensors can encourage a more efficient cleaning process.<ref name="pmid21985880">{{cite journal|last=Kallar|first=S|author2=Srivastava, N |author3=Pandit, IK |author4= Gugnani, N |title=Plaque removal efficacy of powered and manual toothbrushes under supervised and unsupervised conditions: A comparative clinical study|journal=Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry|date=1 January 2011|volume=29|issue=3|pages=235–8|doi=10.4103/0970-4388.85832|pmid=21985880|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Electric toothbrushes can be classified, according to the speed of their movements as: standard power toothbrushes, sonic toothbrushes, or [[ultrasonic toothbrush]]es. Any electric toothbrush is technically a powered toothbrush. If the motion of the toothbrush is sufficiently rapid to produce a hum in the [[audible frequency]] range (20&nbsp;Hz to 20,000&nbsp;Hz), it can be classified as a sonic toothbrush. Any electric toothbrush with movement faster than this limit can be classified as an ultrasonic toothbrush. Certain ultrasonic toothbrushes, such as the Megasonex and the Ultreo, have both sonic and ultrasonic movements.

There are different electric toothbrush heads designed for sensitive teeth and gums, increased stain removal, or different-sized bristles for tight or gapped teeth.{{citation needed|date = January 2025}} The hand motion with an electric toothbrush is different from a manual toothbrush. They are meant to have the bristles do the work by just placing and moving the toothbrush, so that fewer back and forth strokes are needed.

===Interdental brush===
[[File:TePe Interdental Brushes original.jpg|thumb|Wire-and nylon interdental brushes]]
[[File:Tandenrager.jpg|thumb|Rubbery, elastomer interdental brush]]
{{See also|Interdental cleaning#Interdental brush}}
An interdental or interproximal ("proxy") brush is a small brush, typically disposable, either supplied with a reusable angled plastic handle or an integral handle, used for cleaning between [[Human tooth|teeth]] and between the wires of [[dental brace]]s and the teeth.

The use of interdental brushes in conjunction with tooth brushing has been shown to reduce both the amount of plaque and the incidence of gingivitis when compared to tooth brushing alone.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Poklepovic T, Worthington HV, Johnson TM, Sambunjak D, Imai P, Clarkson JE, Tugwell P|date=2013|title=Interdental brushing for the prevention and control of periodontal diseases and dental caries in adults|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|pmid=24353078|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD009857.pub2|issue=12|page=CD009857|doi-access=free}}</ref> Although there is some evidence that after tooth brushing with a conventional tooth brush, interdental brushes remove more plaque than [[dental floss]],<ref name="pmid22726785">{{cite journal|title=As an Adjunct to Tooth Brushing, Interdental Brushes (IDBs) are More Effective in Removing Plaque as Compared with Brushing Alone or the Combination Use of Tooth Brushing and Dental Floss|year=2012|last1=Gluch|first1=Joan I.|journal=Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice|volume=12|issue=2|pages=81–83|doi=10.1016/j.jebdp.2012.03.016|pmid=22726785 |issn=1532-3382}}</ref> a systematic review reported insufficient evidence to determine such an association.<ref name=":0" />

The size of interdental brushes is standardized in [[ISO]] 16409.<ref name="ISO 16409:2010">ISO 16409:2006 + Amd.1:2010, ''Dentistry&nbsp;– Oral hygiene products&nbsp;– Manual interdental brushes''</ref><ref name="ISO 16409:2014">ISO/[[Draft International Standard|DIS]] 16409:2014, ''Dentistry&nbsp;– Oral hygiene products&nbsp;– Manual interdental brushes'' (draft standard)</ref> The brush size,<ref>Different versions of the standard specify different brush sizes.</ref> which is a number between 0 (small space between teeth) and 8 (large space), indicates the ''passage hole diameter''. This corresponds to the space between two teeth that is just sufficient for the brush to go through without bending the wire. The color of the brushes differs between producers. The same is the case with respect to the wire diameter.<ref>Neither the brush color nor the wire diameter are specified in ISO 16409:2010 or ISO/DIS 16409:2014. Just some general properties of the wire (e.g., should not bend) or specifications of the packaging (e.g., the brush size must be noted) can be found there.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+Brush size according to ISO 16409<ref name="ISO 16409:2010" />
|-
! Brush size
| 0<ref>Brush size 0 still can be found in ISO 16409:2010, however, it is no longer specified in ISO/DIS 16409:2014 (as of December 2015).</ref> || 1<ref>Brush size 1 has passage hole diameter ≤&nbsp;0.8 according to ISO/DIS 16409:2014 (as of December 2015).</ref> || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7<ref name="according to ISO 16409:2014">Sizes 7 and 8 according to ISO/DIS 16409:2014 (as of December 2015).</ref> || 8<ref name="according to ISO 16409:2014" />
|-
! Passage hole diameter in mm
| ≤&nbsp;0.6 || 0.7–0.8 || 0.9–1.0 || 1.1–1.2 || 1.3–1.5 || 1.6–1.8 || 1.9–2.3 || 2.4–2.8 || ≥&nbsp;2.8
|}

===End-tuft brush===

The small round brush head comprises seven tufts of tightly packed soft nylon bristles, trimmed so the bristles in the center can reach deeper into small spaces. The brush handle is ergonomically designed for a firm grip, giving the control and precision necessary to clean where most other cleaning aids cannot reach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gumbrand.com/end-tuft-toothbrush-308rqb.html |title=GUM® End-Tuft Toothbrush&nbsp;– Official Site for GUM® Toothbrushes |work=GUM® Brand |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419163829/http://www.gumbrand.com/end-tuft-toothbrush-308rqb.html |archive-date=2014-04-19 }}</ref> These areas include the posterior of the wisdom teeth (third molars), orthodontic structures (braces), crowded teeth, and tooth surfaces that are next to missing teeth. It can also be used to clean areas around implants, bridges, dentures and other appliances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/flossingandinterdentalaids/end-tuft-brush |title=End Tuft Brush&nbsp;– Flossing and interdental aids |work=google.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327024601/https://sites.google.com/site/flossingandinterdentalaids/end-tuft-brush |archive-date=2014-03-27 }}</ref>

===Chewable toothbrush===
[[Image:chewabletoothbrush.jpg|thumb|Chewable toothbrushes]]
A chewable toothbrush is a miniature plastic moulded toothbrush which can be placed inside the mouth. While not commonly used, they are useful to travelers and are sometimes available from [[bathroom]] [[vending machine]]s. They are available in different flavors such as mint or bubblegum and should be disposed of after use. Other types of disposable toothbrushes include those that contain a small breakable plastic ball of [[toothpaste]] on the bristles, which can be used without water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oaji.net/articles/2014/957-1405051468.pdf|title=Era of "Smart Toothbrushes"}}</ref>

===Musical toothbrush===
A musical toothbrush is a type of manual or powered toothbrush designed to make tooth brushing habit more interesting. It is more commonly introduced to children to gain their attention and positively influence their tooth brushing behavior. The music starts while child starts brushing, it continuously plays during the brushing and it ends when the child stops brushing.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Subburaman|first1=Nivedha|last2=Madan Kumar|first2=ParangimalaiDiwakar|last3=Iyer|first3=Kiran|date=2019|title=Effectiveness of musical toothbrush on oral debris and gingival bleeding among 6–10-year-old children: A randomized controlled trial|url=http://www.ijdr.in/text.asp?2019/30/2/196/259212|journal=Indian Journal of Dental Research|language=en|volume=30|issue=2|pages=196–199|doi=10.4103/ijdr.IJDR_128_17|pmid=31169149|issn=0970-9290|doi-access=free}}</ref>[[File:Soladey 3.jpg|thumb|left|Soladey 3 is activated by light to kill bacteria.]][[File:Wechselkopfzahnbuerste.jpg|left|thumb|Replaceable head toothbrush, with and without brush head]]