Our toothbrush is one of the most important items in our daily lives. We need it several times a day, and it plays a key role in our overall health. Oral hygiene affects our entire body, as our mouth is the gateway to our whole body. This makes it all the more important that we get on well with our toothbrush. Does it fit comfortably in the hand? Is the stiffness of the bristles gentle on the teeth and gums? And is the brush head the right size to reach the molars properly? And, of course, the crucial question is whether to choose a manual or an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes enhance cleaning performance through the movement of the bristles, and many people find them easier to use. But even if you’ve decided on an ‘electric toothbrush’, that’s not the end of the story. There are numerous models to choose from. To help you make up your mind, PRISMA magazine tested five electric toothbrushes in its 32/2017 issue, including the Megasonex M8 ultrasonic toothbrush.
Electric toothbrush, sonic toothbrush or ultrasonic toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes offer the advantage that brushing is supported by the vibrating movements of the bristles, making it more effective. In a standard electric toothbrush, the vibrations are generated by a motor, whilst in sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes they are produced by an electric transducer. Whilst the brush head rotates on a standard electric toothbrush, on a sonic or ultrasonic toothbrush it oscillates – and does so very rapidly. Even the sonic toothbrush does not clean using sound waves, but rather through the movement of the bristles. With the ultrasonic toothbrush, however, ultrasonic waves are also utilised. More on that later.
Compared to a standard electric toothbrush, sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes can clean more thoroughly. The high frequency of the bristle movements also encourages you to apply less pressure. As the standard electric toothbrush operates with rotating movements and a brush head that completely encloses the tooth, it is possible that the enamel may be damaged if too much pressure is applied. Unfortunately, using the wrong brushing technique can also damage your teeth.
PRISMA magazine has tested electric toothbrushes, including the Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush. The article is also available online.
Advantages of the ultrasonic toothbrush
What makes the ultrasonic toothbrush special, as the name suggests, is that it cleans teeth using ultrasound. This is the toothbrush’s main function; the vibration of the bristles is, so to speak, an added bonus, resulting in a combined sonic and ultrasonic toothbrush. The ultrasonic waves break up the chains of bacteria on the teeth, whilst the vibration of the bristles helps to brush away the plaque. Anyone with very sensitive gums or who simply cannot stand the vibration of the bristles can switch this off. The Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush has a vibration-free mode in which only the ultrasonic function is active. You cannot feel it, as the frequency is so high that it cannot be detected by the human ear. However, it is still active and effective.
The Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush utilises state-of-the-art medical-grade ultrasound, which is also used, for example, to treat broken bones and in ultrasound scans for pregnant women. It is generated at the tip of the toothbrush, directly beneath the brush head, by a piezo crystal. The crystal generates continuous ultrasonic waves at a rate of 96 million pulses per minute. At the touch of a button, you can choose between 18,000 or 9,000 vibrations per minute, or switch off the vibration completely.
The Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush can be further customised via the brush heads. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose between soft or medium bristle firmness. The toothbrush is also suitable for cleaning the tongue. A special attachment enables the thorough yet gentle removal of bacterial plaque from the tongue.
Dentist recommends ultrasonic toothbrush
Dr Alexa von Gienanth from the Dental Centrum Düsseldorf also recommends the use of an ultrasonic toothbrush in the doctors’ column in PRISMA magazine:
One of the products I recommend is [...] an ultrasonic toothbrush, which cleans teeth and gums not through mechanical movements but by means of ultrasound. This method of teeth cleaning is gentle on the gums and effectively removes bacteria and plaque.
You can find the column in issue 32/2017 or online on the PRISMA magazine website.