Are electric toothbrushes all that better than traditional manual ones? Absolutely. There is enough extensive research available to show that trading out your manual toothbrush for an electric one will provide benefits like:
Better Plaque Removal
As people use manual toothbrushes, they tend to make broad, sweeping/scrubbing motions over multiple teeth at a time. They also tend to press in too hard. Both of these together cause the bristles to flex so far over that they don’t clean the curved surfaces on the sides of each tooth (leaving thick layers of plaque behind.) But on the other hand, electric toothbrushes make small strokes that clean the immediate area without applying any scrubbing or hard pressure.
Quality electric toothbrushes tend to have built-in timers that keep you on track. Without a two-minute timer, chances are you’re only brushing your teeth for about 30-45 seconds. No, really. When your electric brush signals how long to brush each quadrant (1/4) of your mouth, you’re far more likely to remove more plaque than you had before.
Less Work for a More Thorough Clean
Depending on the type of electric toothbrush you’re using, an electric version can remove as much as 90% more plaque biofilm than a manual toothbrush. When you consider the amount of brush strokes that you make with a manual toothbrush and compare them to that of an electric one, electric toothbrush users get hundreds—if not thousands — or more brush strokes each time they clean their mouth. It’s no wonder why the data reflects that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque!
Best of all, all you need to do is position the electric toothbrush and allow it to do the work for you. No scrubbing is needed. Simply move from one tooth to the next, until you’ve cleaned all of your teeth’ outside, inside, and chewing surfaces for a total of two minutes. Compared to conventional brushing, electric brush users will have much less plaque left on their teeth.
Healthier Gum Tissues
Gingivitis is an inflammatory response caused by plaque biofilm. When plaque isn’t removed effectively, it triggers an immune response in your mouth where your gums begin to swell and bleed. Left untreated, gingivitis will eventually progress into periodontal disease, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss.
Fortunately, the effectiveness of a high-quality toothbrush serves a dual purpose. One, it removes the thick bacteria next to gums, giving them the opportunity to heal. Second, it massages the gum tissues to improve blood oxygenation, which also aids in gingival health.
At Paradise Dental Associates, we see these effects firsthand, patient after patient. When someone with active gum infection switches to an electric toothbrush, their mouths are significantly healthier during their next checkup.
Don’t Forget About Dexterity
Sometimes our manual dexterity can also interfere with how well we brush our teeth. This is true for both young children as well as adults who have arthritic joints or hard-to-reach teeth. An electric toothbrush simply has to be held in place and it will clean those surfaces for you. Additionally, the larger handle is easier to hold and maneuver for most people, regardless of age. The easier it is to use, the more effective it is. Plus, it’s just more enjoyable.
Not all Electric Toothbrushes are Created Equal
When choosing an electric toothbrush, be sure to speak with our Salem dentists or one of our hygienists. Unfortunately, some lower-quality brushes can actually be too abrasive on tooth enamel and gum tissues, causing additional trauma to your smile. But a quality toothbrush design will improve your oral health within at least two weeks!
Be sure to choose a soft or extra-soft toothbrush that has a built-in timer or indicator for two minutes and uses interchangeable brush heads that can be updated as needed. You may also want to consider battery life, portability (if you travel very often,) and different types of brush settings that allow you to better tailor your hygiene routine.
Win an Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush
This month, Paradise Dental Associates is giving away an Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush. The iO series toothbrush is a premier electric brush that uses gentle micro-vibrations and a round brush head to thoroughly clean your teeth while also protecting your gum tissues. It also boasts a 3D “teeth tracking” display and AI tools to help ensure you clean all areas of your mouth thoroughly. There are also 7 smart modes, including super sensitive, tongue clean, and whitening.
To learn more about choosing an electric toothbrush or to find out how to win an Oral-B iO, contact our Salem dentist today!
