The areas of use and correct use of a single tufted tooth brush

For thorough and all-round oral hygiene a number of other oral care tools are required beyond a simple toothbrush. Such tools include a dental floss, interdental brush and a single-tufted brush.

The single-tufted brush is a tooth brush with a small round head in which the round-ended plastic bristles are closely knit in a tuft.

A single-tufted tooth brush can be used to clean various surfaces such as those of:

• free-end teeth

• free-standing teeth

• cemented orthodontic devices (dental braces)

• implants

• crowns and bridges

The thorough cleaning of the rearmost free-end teeth is a difficult task with neither a conventional nor an electric brush capable of adequately performing it, as a result of which these teeth are frequently affected by caries. These difficult-to-access areas are best cleaned by a single tufted brush. The same applies to free-standing teeth. The conventional cleaning of one such tooth with one or several adjacent teeth missing will never be quite perfect. The gums around the tooth will be inflamed, swollen and red. If the adjacent tooth was removed several years ago, the tooth may tilt, rendering effective and thorough cleaning even more of an ordeal. Obviously, replacement teeth are required to deal with the issue in the long run. But until such time as replacement teeth are ready, a single tufted brush can efficiently clean a free-standing tooth with its strong bristles and thereby reduce the inflammation and swelling of the gums. With tilted teeth thorough cleaning is all the more important as irregular tooth surfaces are more prone to caries.

Thoroughly cleaning free-end teeth is a challenging task that can easily be done, however, with a single-tufted brush

Wearers of fixed orthodontic devices should pay special attention to tooth care since the orthodontic devices cemented to the surface of teeth (whether cemented on the interior or outer surface) promote the pile-up of dental plaque (bacterial film). Bacteria attaching to the teeth feed on sugars consumed in the course of meals and release acids while decomposing them, weakening the dental enamel and triggering the process of caries. With the orthodontic treatment finished, for healthy and not only regularly aligned teeth, it is advisable complement oral care routines with the use of a single-tufted brush (after brushing with a conventional one) with which we can reach under the device to remove food remains and deposits attaching to the orthodontic device.

Following the installation of an implant a single-tufted brush will stand in good stead whether used for a single implant supporting a free-standing replacement tooth, or the anchorage of a multi-unit bridge or a full denture. Remember that the long-term success of implants and replacement teeth borne by them depends more often than not on efficient and thorough home cleaning. If dental plaque deposits are not removed from our teeth on a daily basis, the bacterial film promotes the formation of tartar and the inflammation of the gums, which may lead to bone resorption, periimplantitis, and eventually the loosening and loss of the implant.

If you only have a single implant-borne crown, then first brush with a conventional brush for at least two minutes, then clean the lateral and occlusal surface of the free-standing crown with a single-tufted brush and an interdental brush.

With a multiple implant-borne fixed tooth restoration, a single-tufted brush is again the best suited tool to tackle food remains stuck underneath the bridge and bacteria which may give rise to an inflammation around the implants or foul breath.

If the implants serve to retain removable dentures, the implants should be cleaned one by one. If a bar also attaches to them, then the bar and its underside can be thoroughly cleaned with a single tufted brush.

Regular dental check-ups with dental implants are all-important.

Cleaning crowns and bridges cemented to natural abutment teeth also require special tools. Plaque depositing underneath bridges and crowns and bacteria give rise the inflammation of the gums and dental caries. With crowns cemented on individually, cleaning is a bit easier. Following the 2+ minute-long daily brush, the tooth necks (the interface of the tooth and the crown) should be cleaned with a single-tufted brush and the interdental spaces with a dental a floss and an interdental brush. With bridges, the cleaning process is identical with the above, complemented with the cleaning of spaces underneath pontics (bridge units) (edentulous sites with no natural teeth underneath). Food remains sticking underneath pontics may cause inflammation and foul breath. These surfaces can be cleaned both with a single-tufted brush or Superfloss.

The correct use of a single-tufted brush

The efficient cleaning of the gum edges with a single-tufted brush

 

Single-tufted brushes need no tooth paste, they may also be used “dry”.

1. Gently press the brush against the teeth such that the bristles lean slightly apart.

2. Guide the tooth brush to the gum edge.

3. With rapid resonating movements, clean the edges of the dental braces, crown edges or spaces near the gum where most unwanted plaque and bacteria deposit.

4. Cleaning should be performed with circular movements with the bristles proceeding along the gum line.

 

The demonstration of the correct use of a single-tufted brush (source: internet)

In mastering the correct technique feel free to seek the help of our colleagues who will be more than happy to assist you.