Are Silicone Toothbrushes Better?

You brush your teeth to get rid of plaque and bacteria which is present on your teeth surface. Plaque is a thin film of bacteria that is quite soft and gets removed easily. Your oral health depends a lot on what kind of brush you use. A soft-bristled toothbrush is deemed apt for brushing by dental professionals as it is not too abrasive to erode your tooth’s enamel.

Silicon toothbrushes are the latest entry into the category of toothbrushes, and for those with extra sensitive gums and teeth, these brushes prove to be extremely beneficial. Silicon brushes are quite similar to common brushes except that instead of nylon, the bristles of these brushes are made of silicon. These brushes have gained a lot of popularity recently and are used more commonly for infants and children. But a few companies have launched adult electric silicone toothbrushes using innovative silicon technology, which has changed the game in the oral hygiene market.

As you go through this article, you would learn more about what silicone brushes are, how they really work, and how they fare compared to traditional nylon brushes.

Journey of Toothbrush Bristles

It was in 1938 that nylon was used for the first time to make bristles, and this brought modern-day toothbrushes into existence.

• Before nylon, it was boar’s bristles that were used in brushes since the 1400s.
• Nylon brushes were much more flexible than their predecessor and natural hair bristles.
• It was easy to produce nylon bristles in bulk.
• Nylon bristles broke less and were easier to clean.
• Silicone bristles replaced nylon with silicone or rubber with slightly longer, and much softer bristles.

Details of Silicone or Polysiloxane Brushes

A polysiloxane toothbrush is made with silicone or rubber, and not nylon like regular brushes.

• Most polysiloxane brushes are made completely of silicone or synthetic rubber where not only the bristles but also the body and head of the brush are made of polysiloxane material. 
• The size of the bristles on polysiloxane brushes is larger than normal brushes and these brushes are also much softer.
• There are both manual and electric varieties of these brushes available in the market.
• These brushes come in various sizes, shapes, and colors and are more aesthetically pleasing than normal toothbrushes.

Benefits of Silicone Toothbrushes

These soft brushes are surely going to make their way into everyone’s oral kit very soon. Even if someone is not aware of proper teeth brushing techniques, they can not go wrong with silicone brushes as they will not harm your gums and teeth.

• Very gentle on your teeth and gums – These bushes are extremely gentle on your teeth which aids you in thoroughly cleaning your teeth and mouth. With such proper cleaning, you get protection against gingivitis and other oral health-related issues.
• More effective than nylon brushes – Some studies also show that polysiloxane bristles are more effective in eradicating plaque from your teeth than regular brushes. 
• More hygienic – The polysiloxane brushes are made of non-porous material which does not harbor much bacteria. Due to this property, these brushes are more hygienic than the traditional ones. They are also easier to clean after every use.
• Perfect fit for sensitive teeth and babies – WIth harsh brushing there is a risk of damaging your enamel but with silicone brushes, this damage is much less. If you put too much pressure on nylon brushes, your enamel can erode and lead to sensitivity in teeth. On the contrary, polysiloxane brushes protect your enamels from wearing off and prevent teeth sensitivity.
• Your teeth look glazed – The bristles of silicone toothbrushes cause less friction when brushed against teeth and your teeth get a polished look.
• Helps with bleeding gums – Since these brushes are softer on your gums, they reduce the chances of tearing of gums, bleeding gums, painful gums, and gum infections when you use them. With these ultra-soft brushes, you get a massaging effect on your gums which makes them stronger and healthier.
• They dry faster – Since these brushes dry faster than normal bamboo or nylon brushes, it reduces the chances of bacteria flourishing on them. Fast drying also keeps cockroaches and other pests away.

How to Use Polysiloxane Brushes

These brushes can be used just like conventional brushes with the right brushing technique as recommended by your dentist.

• Apply toothpaste on the bristles and brush your teeth for two minutes using the proper brushing technique.
• If you are using the electric version of these brushes, then you do not need to worry much about the technique. An electric brush would hardly take a few seconds to clean your mouth. You just need to put it in your mouth, and the device would do its work on its own.
• Rinse off the mouth with water and clean the bristles. 

Cleaning Silicone Toothbrushes

Never use alcoholic mouthwashes, acetone, or any such detergents or liquid to clean your polysiloxane brushes. Silicone can easily get damaged by such harsh materials.

• Just run some water on the bristles and use your fingers to clean the brush.
• Some brands of silicone electric toothbrushes also provide cleaning substances or sprays for cleaning your brush. You might also be provided with some extra toothbrush heads, which you would need to change every three to six months. In general silicon toothbrushes’ heads do not need to be changed as often as the normal nylon ones.

Silicone toothbrushes are the latest buzz in the dental world and will soon be everyone’s popular choice. These brushes are much softer than normal ones and cause much less damage to your enamel. But no matter what toothbrush you use, you must follow the guidelines for proper brushing and schedule regular visits to your dentist for general cleaning and checkups.