Proper brushing is one of the most important things you can do to help care for your teeth. It’s possible to do a good job with a manual toothbrush, but when it comes to toothbrush recommendations, dentists will often suggest an electric brush.
An electric toothbrush offers the following advantages over a manual one:
More effective
Several studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more effective at cleaning your teeth and mouth than manual brushes. The rotating head and bristles are able to more easily access hard-to-reach areas, and they apply equal pressure to all sides of your mouth. Otherwise, right-handed people have a tendency to apply more pressure on the right side of their mouths, and left-handed people press harder on the left side. In one study, electric toothbrushes were found to remove 21% more plaque and reduce gingivitis by 11% after three months.
Makes it easier to brush for the recommended amount of time
Ideally, you should brush for two minutes to ensure that you’re getting every tooth adequately clean. Most people, however, tend to brush for a shorter period of time. That’s when the extra power provided by an electric brush can help, because you’ll get many more strokes per minute with this type of brush. Plus, it’s easy to make sure you’re actually getting in your two minutes of brushing thanks to the built-in timer.
Easier to use
An electric toothbrush can be easier to use, since all you have to do is place the brush at a 45-degree angle and let it do its job. This is especially helpful if you have arthritis or another condition that limits mobility in your hands, shoulders and arms. Electric brushes are also highly effective for people with braces, since they can help reach nooks and crannies in and around braces more easily. And children, who sometimes don’t enjoy brushing or don’t do a thorough job, may find electric toothbrushes more fun and easy to maneuver around their mouths.
Helps prevent overbrushing
Proper brushing technique is important, but applying too much pressure is actually harmful to your teeth. Plaque is quite soft, so it doesn’t take much pressure to remove it. Brushing too vigorously can cause your enamel to wear down, pushing back your gums and exposing tooth roots. This may cause pain and lead to cavities and other problems. Electric toothbrushes can make it easier to apply less pressure, since you don’t have to worry about the back-and-forth motion.
Additional features to suit your preferences
Regular toothbrushes are pretty basic, varying only in the size of head and the texture of the bristles. A powered toothbrush, on the other hand, comes with a variety of options depending on your preferences. You can try one with a rotating-oscillating head or one that uses ultrasonic pulses to move the bristles. Some advanced toothbrushes also have features such as adjustable power levels and rechargeable batteries to make using them even easier.
Brushing thoroughly twice a day is vital to maintaining good oral health. The next time you’re shopping for a new toothbrush, look beyond the standard choices and check out electric toothbrushes to make your brushing easier and more effective. For more information about your specific dental needs, contact Dr. Sadati for an appointment today.
