Chances are, you’ve already heard the recommendation several times to use an electric toothbrush. You may be wondering, what’s the big deal? Really, are electric toothbrushes better? Quick answer: Yes, they are!
These toothbrushes are indeed more costly up front, but the benefits to your oral health are well worth the initial expense. In fact, almost every dentist will agree that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing tartar and plaque and keeping your gums and teeth as healthy as possible.
Here are 6 important benefits of an electric toothbrush versus using a traditional/manual toothbrush:
#1 – Not Only Does an Electric Toothbrush Keep Your Teeth Healthier But Your Gums and Tongue Also
It is simply impossible for manual toothbrushes to reach all of the tartar and plaque that can build up between your teeth. The straight, stationary bristles don’t effectively reach into all the crevices where food hides between teeth. With a rotating and/or vibrating brush head, an electric toothbrush reaches into those areas to thoroughly clean them while applying equal pressure from the brush. Many electric toothbrushes also have a built-in sensor that will alert you if there is too much pressure on the brush because too much pressure can damage your gums and cause painful irritation.
Brushing your tongue too may seem odd but it’s very important. Doing so will help effectively remove layers of bacteria that cause bad breath and can affect the taste of food. Using an electric toothbrush to brush and scrape your tongue is quick and easy and brings huge benefits. You’ll help avoid unpleasant bad breath and you, of course, want to taste all the delicious flavors in your food!
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to properly taking care of your teeth is to brush for 2 minutes each time. When using a manual toothbrush, many people don’t set a timer to ensure that they are brushing long enough. But, with most electric toothbrushes, they also have a timer so that you are brushing an adequate amount of time, every time!
The motion/movement is consistent with an electric toothbrush, too. The motion of a manual brush is dependent on your hand and arm. In many cases, this probably isn’t delivering consistent and constant movement like an electric toothbrush will. In fact, an electric toothbrush provides roughly 30,000 bristle movements per minute, on average, which isn’t physically possible with a manual brush.
Source: Philips Sonicare
Finally, it seems that our focus on brushing is improved when using an electric toothbrush. As a result, this focus translates to better brushing, which in turn means less for us to do here at Radomile Family Dental Care. Of course, we love seeing our patients, but we are happier knowing that you’ve improved your overall oral hygiene routine.
The result of all of these factors above equals one of the biggest benefits of using an electric toothbrush: cleaner and healthier teeth, gums, and tongue!
#2 – Multiple Brush Heads Come With an Electric Toothbrush
With a manual toothbrush, you rely on one brush head to do everything. But it really isn’t equipped to do everything your mouth needs. With an electric toothbrush, it will usually come with several different interchangeable brush heads for different tasks, including:
- Regular, daily brushing
- Whitening
- Deep cleaning
- Cleaning your tongue
- Cleaning sensitive teeth
This allows the main body and its battery to last much longer, usually 3-5 years. Not only does that save you money over the long run but it also keeps hundreds of traditional plastic toothbrushes out of landfills.
#3 – They Save You Money
We mentioned above about saving money on the number of toothbrushes you’ll end up going through, but the savings reach even farther than that. Those savings come from a reduced number of cavities, fewer gum issues, and fewer occurrences of other oral problems.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, these brushes simply clean your gums and teeth better, and that means fewer visits to see us here at our dental office. In most cases, your dental insurance will cover routine checks and other limited/preventative services. But they usually don’t cover extensive restorative treatment plans. That’s more money you’ll be paying out of pocket.
So if you weigh the initial cost of an electric toothbrush against the cost of needing to repair cavities, receding gums, and other expensive dental work, there is no doubt which will end up being cheaper.
#4 – Using an Electric Toothbrush is Easier for Those with Braces
People with braces, permanent retainers, and other orthodontic appliances are greatly benefited from the cleaning-power of an electric toothbrush. Braces make it much harder to effectively clean your mouth so electric toothbrushes counteract much of that difficulty. This is especially true for children with braces. (See more on this below!)
#5 – For Those with Limited Hand Mobility, an Electric Toothbrush is a Lifesaver!
Source: Graying With Grace
According to the CDC, 26% of the U.S. population has a disability. This number is expected to increase due to the effects of COVID-19, as well as a heightened awareness of the disabled population and society’s responsibility to them. A large part of that 26% is people with limited hand mobility (especially within the senior population).
Everyone wants a clean mouth. And for those who suffer from wrist and hand problems, an electric toothbrush can make that even more of a possibility. Because the brush does most of the work on its own, the user doesn’t have to manually move the brush as much. Plus, many electric toothbrushes offer an ergonomic handle that is easier to hold.
Using an electric toothbrush is extremely beneficial for those suffering from:
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Forearm and hand disabilities
#6 – Kids Are Huge Fans of Electric Toothbrushes!
For parents, trying to get their children to brush at all, much less properly, can sometimes be a pain. Our team here at Radomile Family Dental Care is happy to recommend anything that will get children excited to brush!
Electric toothbrushes are much more engaging for kids to use. They are used to things that have lots of buttons, movement, and sounds. Plus, some types of electric toothbrushes for children even make music: a fun song plays for two minutes to help kids ensure they brush long enough. Also, the bristles are soft and children usually don’t mind the sensation on their teeth and gums. Electric toothbrushes are often a great solution for many children!
Switch to an Electric Toothbrush Today – We Can Help!
Do you have questions about how to use an electric toothbrush? Wondering which kind of electric toothbrush is the best? We are here to help!
We’ll be happy to discuss the benefits of an electric toothbrush, tips on how to use an electric toothbrush properly, and answer any other questions you may have. We encourage the switch to an electric toothbrush whenever possible and can help you make the best selection for your toothbrush as well.
Don’t hesitate to contact us here at Radomile Family Dental Care today!