The point of brushing and flossing twice a day is to remove plaque and prevent decay and electric toothbrushes can make this job so much easier. But how much of the plaque removal effectiveness can be attributed to technique and how much has to do with the type of brush you select? Today we are going to have a look at are electric toothbrushes worth it, and whether you should consider investing in an electric toothbrush – or whether your manual brush can do the job.
The Benefits Of Using An Electric Toothbrush
Brush Plaque Away With Power
Let’s be honest: we don’t all pay full attention all the time. And, to get an even brush and clean teeth, you do need to make sure that each tooth gets enough attention on the front, back and sides. If you daydream while you brush your teeth, if you use an electric toothbrush you can rest assured that all the teeth in your mouth have been cleaned properly.
Use the timer
We should all be brushing twice a day for at least two minutes. If you use an electric toothbrush there is a timer to remind you just how long two minutes is, to protect your oral health.
Electric Toothbrushes Make Brushing Fun For Kids
Teaching children about oral hygiene is a challenge, particularly when they don’t want to do the work. By introducing your child to dental hygiene with an electric toothbrush you know that the toothbrush is doing a good job to remove plaque. Many of the kids’ brushes have interactive features like bright colours, music to make the experience more interesting.
Electric Toothbrushes Make Dental Hygiene Possible For Everyone
Some patients may suffer from conditions such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, and this can make holding and manoeuvring the toothbrush tricky. By making use of an electric toothbrush, these challenges can be overcome easily.
Electric Toothbrushes Work Well For Braces
Patients who wear orthodontic braces have specialised dental needs and need to brush more often than people who don’t have them. When you wear braces you need to make sure that each tooth is cleaned well, and that you are getting brush around the metal on each tooth. An electric toothbrush can make caring for your oral health significantly easier.
The Benefits Of Using A Manual Toothbrush
You Have Lots Of Options
When it comes to manual toothbrushes you have plenty of options in terms of the size of the head and the hardness of the bristles. You can even colour coordinate the handle to your bathroom.
Manual Brushes Are Cheaper
When it comes to cost, manual toothbrushes are much more affordable. This makes it much easier to replace the brush every three months or when you wear the bristles down.
Why Brushing Is So Important?
There is no substitute for twice-daily brushing and flossing because this is the action that removes plaque from the surface of your teeth. Remember that any plaque that remains on your teeth will harden and turn into tartar, a substance that can only be removed by your dentist. Tartar becomes acidic and corrosive, attracting bacteria and corroding your dental enamel. Plaque can be removed from between your teeth using dental floss.
The Importance Of Having The Right Technique
While an electric toothbrush can help you to remove more plaque in less time, you still need to apply the correct brushing technique to protect your oral health. Whether you’re using a manual or electric toothbrush, you must hold it at the correct angle to your gums, around 45 degrees. Make small circular movements with the toothbrush, ensuring that each tooth gets individual attention to remove plaque, being sure to give your gum line attention too.
Be careful not to brush too hard. Brushing too hard can wear away at your gums and cause gum recession. One way to gauge how hard you are brushing is to check the bristles of your toothbrush. If they are winding down long before three months, it’s quite likely that you are brushing too hard.
So, Are Electric Toothbrushes Worth It?
Certainly, if you follow the correct technique, a manual toothbrush does a good job to remove plaque. However …
- If you’re unsure about your brushing or whether you’re doing a good job, an electric toothbrush is definitely worth the investment.
- If you have lost one or more teeth to decay, despite brushing and flossing twice a day, an electric toothbrush might be worth considering.
- If you are someone who struggles with dexterity for two minutes, then an electric toothbrush would be a good idea.
- If you have children and want them to learn the best practice steps for good oral hygiene, consider using an electric toothbrush to achieve it. An electric brush can also make the experience more fun from an early age.
- If you wear orthodontic braces and do not want to take any chances with your oral health, an electric toothbrush is a great ally to have. An electric toothbrush can make the process much more thorough, and easier for you if you are brushing three or more times in a day.
- If you are generally inattentive while you brush and may forget to do it for two minutes, then an electric toothbrush can make the job much easier.
For a more personalised discussion about are electric toothbrushes worth it, it’s always best to speak to a professional. Please contact us for an appointment: (02) 8806 3799.
