Standardization | Everything around the toothbrush

Standardization

The German Standards Committee has also established a standard for toothbrushes. The hardness and flexibility of the bristles were measured and standardized using elaborate test procedures. Brush head and handles were also subjected to standardization. Brushes that comply with this standard can bear the DIN mark. However, this regulation is not binding; it is up to each manufacturer of toothbrushes to decide how to do so.

Which bristle hardness is the right one for me?

There are toothbrushes in the hardness grades hard, medium and soft.People with insensitive gums and teeth can use hard toothbrushes. They have the highest cleaning power. However, if they are used with too much pressure, they can provoke gum bleeding and promote cleaning defects on exposed tooth necks, for example.

A toothbrush with medium bristles is usually recommended. It is less unpleasant to use, irritates the gums less than the hard one and has sufficient cleaning power. The soft toothbrush is only recommended for very sensitive gums and exposed tooth necks.

With it it is possible to brush even over strongly irritated gums. In case of gum inflammation it is especially important to remove plaque as it provokes the inflammation. However, with soft bristles you run the risk of exerting too much pressure on teeth and gums.

Toothbrush with natural bristles – useful?

Toothbrushes with natural bristles seem to be a good alternative to traditional plastic toothbrushes in recent times, when ecological awareness is slowly increasing. From a dental point of view, however, there is no advantage whatsoever to using a toothbrush with natural bristles. Usually rounded nylon filaments are used and also recommended.

Natural bristles are normally animal hair. They cannot be rounded off as well at their tip as synthetic nylon bristles. In addition, their rough surface offers niches in which bacteria and fungi can settle. This means that the conventional toothbrush is more hygienic and can also be customized with its synthetic bristles. If the consumer is concerned about plastic waste, toothbrushes with handles made of natural materials such as bamboo with nylon bristles are certainly a good compromise.