The Benefits of Using an Electric Toothbrush
Did you know that using an electric toothbrush has many benefits compared to using a manual toothbrush? While there aren’t necessarily any cons to using a manual toothbrush, many dentists actually encourage using an electric toothbrush as they can help you do a better job at cleaning your teeth than manual ones.
Electric toothbrushes can get rid of more plaque from your teeth, ensuring healthier gums and teeth. With an electric toothbrush, its rotating head and bristles can reach further back your mouth thanks to the combination of motion and equal pressure from the brush itself. In addition, an electric toothbrush can lead to longer, more thorough teeth brushing. With modern technology, most, if not all, electric toothbrushes even come with pre-set settings that time how long you should be brushing your teeth for.
Quick facts about electric toothbrushes
- Power toothbrushes provide a powered mechanical cleaning action to help remove plaque.
- There are two main kinds of power toothbrushes: oscillating-rotating and sonic.
- Electric toothbrushes can include helpful features such as brushing timers, pressure sensors, brushing modes and specialized brush heads.
- A power toothbrush removes more plaque and improves gum health better than a regular manual toothbrush.
Two kinds of electric toothbrushes
When it comes to electric toothbrushes, there are actually two kinds you can purchase:
- Oscillating-rotating: This kind of toothbrush has a small, round brush head that oscillates back and forth in a circular motion to help remove plaque. A smaller brush head can be very good for cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.
- Sonic: This kind of toothbrush uses a vibrating side-to-side cleaning motion to remove plaque. The shape of this brush head is a lot like a manual toothbrush, so if you are currently using a manual toothbrush, switching to a sonic electric toothbrush will be a smoother transition for you to get used to more easily.
Just like how you need to replace your manual toothbrushes every so often, the same goes for electric toothbrushes. Make sure you replace the brush head every three months or when worn. It’s important to replace your brushes or brush heads often. Otherwise, they can harbor bacteria and fungus. It’s also important to note that besides the risk of bacteria and fungus, you can also risk gum damage or even gingivitis due to ineffective cleaning.
Having trouble deciding on what toothbrush is best for you? Contact our team at Archbold Family Dental to discuss recommendations. Otherwise, make sure you schedule regular dental check-ups every so often to keep your oral health in check!