Are you thinking of changing your toothbrush? If yes, then try an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush is an amazing device to invest in, especially when it comes to maintaining your oral health. So many of us use manual toothbrushes, and even brushing twice a day does not yield the expected result. It’s time to look into better and more effective alternatives.

 

Why use an electric toothbrush?

 

1. Electric toothbrush cleans your teeth thoroughly

A basic practice for maintaining oral health is to ensure proper brushing. Despite our best efforts, we are still unable to brush effectively using the manual toothbrush because the bristles of the manual toothbrush do not clean the tartar and plaque stuck in the teeth. The rotating head of an electric toothbrush is designed to provide a complete clean-up of your teeth. The head uses specific motion techniques and pressure to extract maximum plaque.

 

2. Using an electric toothbrush fights gum disease

Do you know electric toothbrushes are great for fighting gingivitis and gum diseases? The base of your gums is a refuge for mouth bacteria, and there is no way you can miss cleaning that area if you are using an electric toothbrush. 

 

3. It helps to eliminate mouth odour

Bad breath is very embarrassing in public. You cannot explain to anyone that you try your best to maintain oral hygiene and yet have annoying bad breath. People will assume you ignore dental hygiene, which is showing up as bad breath.

Bad breath happens when there is old, chewed food stuck between the nooks and crannies of your teeth and gums. An electric toothbrush and flosser can work well together to clear the stuck residue in your mouth to refresh your breath. Some companies offer electronic flossers and toothbrushes together as a set, which is a great combo! 

 

4. Enjoy timed brushing with an electric toothbrush

You do not have to stand in front of the mirror, brush your teeth and wonder if this is enough brushing. The electronic toothbrushes have built-in timers and sensors, that will notify you when you are brushing excessively hard or for too long, protecting your gums. You can time your brushing activity and avoid the hassle of wasting too much time in the morning.

 

5. Great tool for people with dental appliances

It doesn’t matter what kind of dental appliance you are using when it comes to brushing and flossing. All dentists emphasise the fact that even with dental appliances, you must ensure proper oral care. Electric toothbrushes are orthodontic-friendly. They work great with braces, veneers, crowns, implants or dental bridges etc.

 

6. They are easier to use for people who have mobility issues

Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and bone issues can make it difficult for you to carry out routine activities smoothly, especially tasks that require a special focus on cleaning. All you need to do is hold your toothbrush properly, and the toothbrush itself will ensure your teeth and gums are nicely cleaned.

 

7. Electronic brushes are environment-friendly

Who would have thought that electric brushes will prove to be good for the environment? It is surprising to know every year, 30 million toothbrushes are disposed of in Australia, which amounts to 1000 tonnes of yearly waste only from toothbrushes!

A manual toothbrush needs to be replaced frequently, while electric ones only require a replacement of the brush head, reducing the amount of wastage.

 

Is an electric toothbrush safe for sensitive teeth?

An electric toothbrush is a sought-after product for many reasons, the primary one being its suitability for sensitive teeth.

If you have sensitive teeth, then switching to an electronic toothbrush might be the biggest favour you have done to your teeth. The soft bristles of the electronic toothbrush provide smooth cleaning of the teeth without bruising the gums, preventing bleeding gums.

Some electric toothbrushes have different kinds of modes set up in them. Purchase a toothbrush that has a sensitive teeth mode to allow for careful cleaning with limited rotations and less pressure.

 

What is the impact of an electric toothbrush on children’s dental health?

You may be a parent and worry about your children’s dental health way more than you do for yours. When you decide to buy an electric toothbrush for yourself, get one for them too because children consume all kinds of sugar-rich food, which can cause a build-up of plaque within days. The electronic toothbrush is easier for them to hold and use.

It is not possible to always supervise your children while they brush their teeth, to ensure they clean their teeth properly in your absence, get them a bright and fun-coloured electric toothbrush. Set the time of the brushing mode to two minutes and let the children and yourself enjoy a much-deserved peaceful brushing routine. Introducing the use of an electric toothbrush to your children from a young age will promote good dental hygiene, causing less severe dental health problems later on. 

 

 

How to brush your teeth correctly?

While it is important to understand the efficacy of the product you are using, it is equally essential to know how to use it correctly.

• Before you begin brushing, check if your toothbrush is fully charged. Most of the time, if the toothbrush is below 30%, it does not work to its full capacity.
• Before brushing, you can floss your teeth using a manual or an electric water flosser. Electric water flossers are more effective for removing the hidden food particles between your teeth and gum line. This makes it easier for the toothbrush to sweep away.
• If your toothbrush has a tongue scraper attached at the back of its head, clean the whitish layer you see on your tongue using that. Do not go deep in the throat. You can also clean the roof of your mouth.
• An electric brush will only clean at its best if held properly. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, just as the way you hold a manual one. Start the cleaning from outwards to inwards. Hold the brush against your teeth for a couple of seconds to clean well. Do not brush against the shape or the curve of your tooth.
• The chewing surface of your teeth also needs to be cleaned. Do not brush hard on the teeth which have fillings inserted without the placement of a crown

Compared to a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush is more expensive. Some brands and companies offer a money-back guarantee within a given time frame of the purchase if you’re not happy with the results.

Most brands of electric toothbrushes come with a warranty for a year or so. If the product sent to you has manufacturing faults or has problems, then it will be replaced with a new one.

Even if you make up your mind about the purchase after having the opportunity of returning and replacing the product, an important concern still remains unanswered, how long will an electric toothbrush last?

 

How long does an electric toothbrush last?

There is no such timeline proven to mark a life span of an electric toothbrush. Even though a lot depends on how you use the product and store it, there are many other factors too that impact the life span of an electric toothbrush. 

 

Battery and Charging

One of the biggest factors that determine the overall quality of the toothbrush is its battery and charging limit. The battery in your electric toothbrush is the same lithium-ion battery that is in your smartphone. You can leave your toothbrush on charge for most of the time, and the battery will refuse to accept more charge once it is full. There is a lot of debate over whether the old NiMH batteries were better than the Li-Ion ones. Most people advocate the opinion that Li-Ion ones are safer and long-lasting. The battery life of an electric toothbrush affects its performance directly. 

 

Charging

Putting the toothbrush on charge for long hours is neither good for the environment nor for the toothbrush itself. Batteries have a specific number of charging cycles when they are designed, and it is important to note that the more times they get charged, the less efficient they will be.

The best way is to charge your electric toothbrush once fully and then use it until it shows the battery is super low and gives you a signal to charge. Charge it only when the battery shows a percentage below 15%. Many electric toothbrushes have a flashing light to indicate when charging is needed. Do not constantly try to top up the battery life until it is very low. 

 

Warranty Period

Look for brushes that come with a warranty period of more than a year. The batteries are usually covered by the warranty. If your toothbrush fails to work due to a faulty battery, you will be provided with a new one. If your warranty period is over, then you may ask the seller to share any options for repair outside of the warranty period.

In case your brush is old and used for more than a year, it is suggested to purchase a new toothbrush rather than getting the old toothbrush repaired. The cost of repairing could be high, and it may not be a very useful option, especially when the product has aged already. 

 

Research different models of electric toothbrushes before buying

It is suggested to do proper research on the types and models of electric toothbrushes available in the market or online before you make a purchase. Some models of electric toothbrushes are easier and cheaper to repair as compared to the rest. Remember to never compromise on the quality of the electric toothbrush to save the cost.

The vendor selling you the toothbrush may have an idea of that. You can request his assistance in determining which model would be easier to maintain and repair. Some toothbrush models come with spare batteries as well.

 

Take care of your electric toothbrush

Some electric brushes can even last you for over 3 years, but that is only possible if they are taken good care of. You should never overbrush your teeth to avoid the breakage of bristles. Rinse and wipe your electric toothbrush using a dry soft cloth after every use. There should be no leftover toothpaste on the toothbrush once you’re done. If you place your toothbrush in the downright position, it won’t dry properly therefore, store it in an upright position and leave it to air-dry. Store it inside your bathroom cabinet or your bedroom drawer to avoid any accidental fall. 

 

Replace the brush head

There are different types of brush heads available in the market that you need to use to keep your electric toothbrush running at its best. If you feel the toothbrush head is worn out with frayed bristles, then it needs to be replaced immediately. Broken or damaged toothbrush heads can cause sore gums and low-quality dental cleaning.

 

Do brand and cost matter? 

A lot of toothbrushes are great purchases but do not have any solid brand name. Getting into the hype of only buying brands can guarantee quality to some extent; however, it might not be the most comfortable purchase. Your comfort matters more than the brand of the electric toothbrush.

The basic technology of an electric toothbrush is similar to all the electric toothbrushes available in the market, with only slight differences in the features. You can have amazing quality at half the price, especially if you look for sets that contain an electric toothbrush along with a water flosser.

Now that you are well aware of electric toothbrushes, their benefits and their life span, you can consciously make an informed decision about your purchase. It is important to remember that no wealth is bigger than health hence investing in good health should be the utmost priority. 

 

Are you ready to improve your dental health? Check out our Denfinity e-shop to find dental products curated by our expert dentists to help you maintain your sparkling smile. Call us on (02) 9159 6237 today.

 

 

 

 

References

Electric Toothbrush- Are they worth it?
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/electric-toothbrushes

Is it better to use a manual or an electric toothbrush
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/electric-toothbrush-vs-manual#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1