Brushing your teeth regularly is an integral part of oral care and helps to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Failing to brush regularly or not brushing your teeth correctly, can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. If you’re considering investing in an electric toothbrush but aren’t entirely sure if you need one, then don’t worry because here’s all you need to know.
Electric Toothbrush – Do You Need One?
Do I Need an Electric Toothbrush?
Not everybody needs an electric toothbrush in Australia
It’s true when we say that a manual toothbrush does an equally good job of removing food debris and plaque from between the teeth and around the gums – provided a person uses their brush properly and has the right technique.
The trouble is that a lot of people don’t use a manual toothbrush properly, which is to brush for 2 minutes with the correct pressure and motion; and often they don’t have the skill to remove bacteria and trapped food particles from those hard to reach areas such as the back of the mouth.
This is where an electric toothbrush has an advantage. It covers a large area faster meaning you can clean more surfaces at the same time. An electric toothbrush enables a person to make tens of thousands of strokes a minute as opposed to around 300 strokes a minute with a manual toothbrush.
Because an electric toothbrush rotates in a way that your hand can’t, it cleans your teeth more easily. If you struggle with a manual toothbrush, an electric toothbrush is designed to perform high-quality cleaning, time after time.
Should Kids Have An Electric Toothbrush?
For healthy adult teeth, good oral care needs to start early. One of the questions parents often ask is whether a children’s electric toothbrush is a good idea and is it better than a manual toothbrush.
Both types of toothbrush work just as well when used correctly but if a kid’s electric toothbrush is bright and colourful or features their favourite Disney character, they’re more likely to want to use it.
When choosing a kid’s electric toothbrush, however, be sure to choose one with a small soft head that is kinder to the gums. You might also want to consider choosing a children’s electric toothbrush that plays music to ensure they’re brushing for a full 2 minutes.
Remember, whichever type of toothbrush your child prefers, it’s all about using the correct technique. Our hygienists will be happy to show your child (and you) the correct way to brush teeth to help keep them free from gum disease and cavities.
The Advantages Of An Electric Toothbrush
We’ve already mentioned that a manual toothbrush can do the same job as its electric counterpart, but the assistance of an electric toothbrush provides some additional benefits:
Removes plaque more efficiently
The main benefit of using an electric toothbrush is that they are masters at removing a build-up of plaque. Removing plaque plays a key role in maintaining oral health and according to a study from Cochrane Systematic Reviews, a 21% reduction in plaque was achieved after 3 months of using an electric toothbrush.
Less aggressive brushing
Some people make the mistake of brushing teeth aggressively which can cause the enamel to wear down leaving teeth more vulnerable to decay. In this instance, the best electric toothbrush to choose would be one that has a built-in function that stops the device if you happen to be brushing too hard.
Beneficial for people with limited mobility
People who have difficulty in using their hands such as those suffering from:
- Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel
- Developmental diseases
will find it easier to reach into the crevices of their mouth with an electric toothbrush.
Helps wearers of orthodontic appliances
Patients undoing orthodontic treatments with braces, for instance, are at risk of developing gum inflammation and carious white spot lesions because maintaining oral care is such a challenge. One clinical trial published on the PubMed.gov website showed that electric toothbrushes made it easier to clean in and around the metal components of a fixed brace.
People with gum disease
People suffering from gum recession, gingivitis and periodontitis caused primarily by plaque, will benefit from the safety and gentleness of an electric toothbrush as shown in another study which revealed that after 3 months of brushing with an electric toothbrush, gingivitis had been reduced by eleven per cent.
What Makes a Good Electric Toothbrush?
When trying to decide on an electric toothbrush, there are several factors to consider.
Plaque removal – The main role of a toothbrush is to remove plaque from all areas of your mouth. Attending regular hygiene checks will enable you to compare plaque levels between appointments to gauge the efficiency of your toothbrush. You can also judge how good your electric toothbrush is by how your teeth feel after brushing.
Type of motion – The most common electric toothbrushes are those with oscillatory or rotary motions or sonic vibrations. The best electric toothbrush for people over the age of 40 or with receding gums is a sonic brush which dislodges bacteria and food debris. An oscillating brush is a good choice for those concerned with keeping their teeth white.
Battery life – Another consideration when searching for the best electric toothbrush is battery life. Usually, a rechargeable brush will last around 2 weeks in between charges.
Head size and shape – The size and shape of the head of the toothbrush are important since you need to be able to access hard to reach areas such as at the back of the mouth. Smaller is best in this instance.
How Much Should I Spend?
If you’re wondering whether it’s worth spending your money on an expensive electric toothbrush in Australia it’s difficult to give a simple yes or no answer.
While a high-quality toothbrush may be worth the price, you don’t want to be spending your hard-earned cash on the latest electric toothbrush that everyone in Australia is raving about only to find that it’s more style over substance.
If you have a limited budget, what we will say is that if you struggle with a manual toothbrush then practically any electric toothbrush you buy will give you better results but do try and pay towards your upper limit and do some research before you commit.
Cheaper options often do a poor job of vibrating out trapped bacteria and food debris that are stuck between your teeth which means it’s important to pay attention to flossing to prevent gum inflammation and decay.
If you are ready to invest in your oral health by getting a quality electric toothbrush, check out Denfinity for our recommendations that will help you get a sparkling clean smile!