The Top Ten Weirdest Toothbrushes

There are some weird and wonderful looking toothbrushes available, but you might wonder whether they can really improve your dental health. As it turns out, some of these toothbrushes are even better than a regular toothbrush, while others are only suitable if you urgently need to freshen your breath.

1) The 'Twist and Brush'

 
This clever toothbrush is built to include toothpaste, with markers on the side indicating how many 'doses' remain. You can add the precise amount of toothpaste that you need for a trip, and when you want to brush your teeth then you simply twist the handle to push toothpaste up through the head. It should be as effective at cleaning your teeth as a regular toothbrush, and its convenience makes it appealing.

2) The training toothbrush:

This bendable silicon toothbrush is shaped like a banana in an attempt to make brushing teeth a fun habit for children, and its softness is intended to prevent injury. However, some parents have complained that their children have managed to bite off the bristles, so its questionable safety makes it a dubious choice.

3) The Yumaki toothbrush:
An excellent toothbrush for the ethical consumer, this environmentally friendly product is a little more expensive than the average toothbrush but is made from recyclable material. It has a degradable plastic handle and nylon bristles, so it works as well as a regular toothbrush.

4) The chewable toothbrush:

A small piece of plastic with no handle and a row of bristles at one end, this toothbrush is designed to freshen your breath and clean your teeth while you are on the move. To use it, you simply slip it into your mouth and chew on it for a few minutes before throwing it away. However, it does little to help you maintain dental health and dentists do not consider it an acceptable substitute for using a proper toothbrush.

5) The finger toothbrush:

This finger sheath is made from flexible silicon. It is FDA approved, allegedly more hygienic than regular toothbrushes, and seemingly just as effective at cleaning your teeth. As well as being appealingly portable, it may be a good alternative for parents who want to clean a young child's teeth.

6) The solar toothbrush:

This innovative Japanese toothbrush can be powered by any light source, and it removes plaque via a solar-powered chemical reaction. It is pricey, but appears to be extremely effective at cleaning teeth (with some reports claiming it is even better than a conventional toothbrush). It prevents the formation of new plaque, lowers the risk of bleeding gums, and requires no toothpaste for use.

7) The proton toothbrush:

This toothbrush requires no power source, and the head contains metal inserts that create a small electrical thermocouple. When your saliva connects the metals, the toothbrush is able to remove plaque electrically. It is compatible with any toothpaste, helps to reduce gum disease, and regular use appears to gradually whiten teeth.

8) The 'Scuba':

Made from recycled rubber, the Scuba has a large head attached to the end of a flexible neck. It comes in left and right-handed models, ensuring that everyone can brush their teeth at the 45-degree angle that dentists recommend. In addition, its massaging head is designed to clean your gums as well as your teeth.

9) The 'Wisp':

Superior to the chewable toothbrush, this tiny toothbrush can only be used once. It has a flavored 'freshening bead' embedded in the head, so it requires no toothpaste and there is no need to rinse your mouth after use. It is too small to clean the teeth at the very back of your mouth thoroughly, but it is ideal when you need to freshen up in a hurry.

10) The 'In & Out':

This ingenious toothbrush is yet to be commercially produced, but it will be a hi-tech gadget that charges via a USB port and can effectively sterilize itself after use. The head of the toothbrush should be similar to that of an electric toothbrush, making it capable of cleaning your teeth thoroughly and effectively. However, given its slick design and high level of desirability, it is unlikely to be cheap.

Victoria contributed this guest post on behalf of CosmeticDentistGlebe.com.au. Victoria is a freelance writer that has worked extensively as a cosmetic surgery technician. To find out more about the Glebe Dental Group Wrinkle Treatment visit their website.