Toothbrushes Offer Something for Everyone

Here's news to smile about: Consumers have a better than ever variety of manual and power-assisted toothbrushes from which to choose. This increase in the type of toothbrushes available in the consumer oral health care market is helping many people take better care of their teeth.

Oral health and appearance remain as important to the average consumer as ever. The U.S. market for oral hygiene products reached over $7 billion, according to report Oral Care Products in the U.S.

Manufacturers are more aware of the growing professional and public interest in preventive care. For instance, the increased variety of children's oral health care products comes from manufacturers listening to oral health care professionals emphasizing the need for early intervention. Toothbrushes with brightly colored handles and/or images of cartoon characters are aimed at encouraging children to brush.

Demographics are another factor in the increased number of consumer oral health care products. As baby-boomers come into mid-life, they are at the prime age for periodontal disease, creating a market for products to address this condition.

Another trend is the increasing affluence of senior citizens, many of whom can now afford appliances such as power-assisted toothbrushes that make oral home care easier for them. The fact that people are living longer and want to keep their teeth for a lifetime also contributes to an interest in oral health care. Studies show that ultrasonic toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes but with the application of less pressure. Dental hygienists say sonic or ultrasonic toothbrushes are appropriate for most people.

Oral health care professionals advise patients to change toothbrushes every three months. Some of the most active in providing advice in oral health care are the more than 150,000 licensed dental hygienists nationwide. These licensed professionals provide preventive oral health care services that limit the extent of cavities and gum disease.

Dental hygienists provide many services from cleaning teeth, taking X-rays, providing fluoride treatments, applying sealants, and recognizing oral conditions that may indicate systemic illnesses to examining the condition of the mouth, teeth and gums, and educating patients to maintain optimum oral health.

ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 150,000 dental hygienists across the country. Dental hygienists are preventive oral health professionals, licensed in dental hygiene, who specialize in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases in order to protect total health.

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