Did you just get an electric toothbrush for the first time? Going electric can do wonders for your oral health, and here are our top tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your electric brush and have fun doing it.
Electric toothbrushesliterally make thousands more brush strokes than you could manually, resulting in more plaque removal and a healthier mouth. Electrics are also easy to hold and maneuver, which means that they’re more effective at reaching all areas in your mouth.
4 tips to properly use your electric toothbrush
Enjoy a clean and healthy mouth by brushing properly with your powered toothbrush. Here are fourtips to get the best results:
1. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline, where the gums and teeth meet.
2. Gently and lightly pull the brush along the gum line, allowing the vibrations to clean the area thoroughly. There’s no need to vigorously brush back and forth as you would with a manual toothbrush.
3. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Word to the wise: Don’t turn the brush on until it’s inside your mouth – otherwise, you could shoot that pea-sized dab of toothpaste across the bathroom!
4. Use the timer. Most electric toothbrushes have built-in two-minute timers. Some brushesbeep throughout the two minutes so you can spend an equal amount of time brushing all areas in your mouth.
No matter which brand you choose, you can count on improved oral health if you learn how to use an electric toothbrush properly! Now that you’ve chosen an electric brush over a manual one, make sure you use it two times every day.
Of course, you can’t count on brushing alone – maintain a healthy hygiene routine by flossing daily and scheduling dental exams and cleanings with your dentist and dental hygienist.
FAQs
There are a few things you should keep in mind when using an electric toothbrush: Always brush your teeth for at least two minutes, twice a day. Use gentle circular motions, and make sure to brush all areas of your mouth. Try to use different cleaning modes and intensities to find the one that works best for you.
What is the #1 dentist recommended electric toothbrush? ›
As the most gentle electric toothbrush that offered a near-instantaneous brighter smile with each use, the Philips Sonicare 4100 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush is the clear-cut winner among this list. Not only is it fairly priced between $35 and $50 on the market but its quality is second to none.
What is the disadvantage of using an electric toothbrush? ›
The Cons of Electric Toothbrushes
Higher Cost- Battery-powered toothbrushes are more expensive than their traditional counterparts. They also require replacement heads, which can be quite pricey. Higher Risk of Damage- Because of their electronics, they are at a higher risk of damage if dropped or falling in the water.
What do dentists say about electric toothbrushes? ›
Electric Toothbrush vs.
A 2021 Meta-Analysis has shown that electric toothbrushes are more efficient than manual ones at removing plaque and bacteria from teeth and gums, preventing cavities and gum disease. The primary goal of brushing your teeth is to eliminate debris and plaque.
What should you not do with an electric toothbrush? ›
Scrubbing back and forth with an electric toothbrush can irritate and wear away at your gums over time, resulting in receding gums. Instead, simply guide your toothbrush along your teeth at a 45 degree angle to your gums – the ideal angle for sweeping away plaque from the gum line. Using too much pressure.
Do dentists recommend Oral-B or sonicare? ›
Sonicare's heads are large and flat compared to Oral-B's small round brushes, and they're long-lasting, according to Wellspring Dental dentist Mandy Nebel, who prefers Sonicare over other brands. This specific model — one of two from the brand accepted by the ADA — is a more entry-level Sonicare.
Is vibrating or rotating toothbrush better? ›
From the data of this study, researchers concluded that to maintain good plaque control and improve gingival health, the oscillating rotation electric toothbrush offers clinically relevant advantages compared to the sonic toothbrush, albeit with a small but significant difference.
Is it OK to use electric toothbrush everyday? ›
Absolutely! Using an electric toothbrush every day is generally recommended and can be beneficial for maintaining good oral hygiene. The consistent use of an electric toothbrush helps remove plaque effectively, reaches difficult-to-reach areas, and promotes better overall cleaning compared to manual brushing.
What is the downside of a sonic toothbrush? ›
However sonic brushes do have one major drawback; they tend to be quite expensive compared to both manual and electric versions making them cost-prohibitive for some users with tighter budgets who still want a quality brush for cleaning their teeth thoroughly each day!
Is electric toothbrush good or bad for gums? ›
Electric toothbrushes have a considerable advantage over their manual counterparts. Other than being more effective at plaque removal, power toothbrushes are the best types of toothbrushes for gum recession. When used properly, a power toothbrush is safer on the gums and tooth enamel.
According to a report by the Aargauer Zeitung (spotted by Tom's Hardware), hackers infected nearly three million electric toothbrushes to turn them into botnets. The report also notes that this army of connected dental cleansing tools was used in a DDoS attack on a Swiss company's website.
How much should you spend on an electric toothbrush? ›
You can get a basic, rechargeable brush for around $30, while other sonic electric brushes use more brush strokes per second and have multiple cleaning features for around $100. "I personally think when buying an electric toothbrush, it's an investment and you have to spend a certain amount," says Dr. Creaven.
What are the negative effects of electric toothbrushes? ›
While enamel is extremely hard and durable, an electric toothbrush used with excessive force can cause the enamel to wear away. This leaves the tooth without protection and can cause issues such as sensitivity and an increased risk of cavities.
Why don't my teeth feel clean after an electric toothbrush? ›
Finding the right balance when using an electric toothbrush is important: you don't want to press too hard because that can lead to gum irritation and enamel damage. On the other hand, if you don't press hard enough, plaque and food debris won't be removed effectively from your teeth.
Is it OK to use an electric toothbrush down there? ›
As tempting using a vibrating toothbrush is, you certainly don't want the plaque and bacteria removed from your teeth inside your delicate bits. Sounds gross right? Additionally, a toothbrush can also cause cuts, tears and bleeding, which can make you more susceptible to infection down there.
What type of toothbrush do dentists recommend? ›
The consensus recommendation is for people to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day with a toothbrush that has soft bristles. Replace toothbrushes every three to four months or more often if the bristles are visibly matted or frayed. Either manual or powered toothbrushes can be used effectively.
Which Oral-B electric toothbrush is best for periodontal disease? ›
The Bluetooth connectivity and customizable features on the Oral-B app make the Oral-B io Series 9 toothbrush a strong choice for people with receding gums or who are prone to over-brushing.
Why do dentists recommend Oral-B? ›
Historical studies show that Oral-B electric toothbrushes are more effective removing plaque than manual toothbrushes. Oral-B improves your brushing behaviours over time with customizable settings.
Do doctors recommend electric toothbrush? ›
Dentists agree that overall, electric toothbrushes are superior to manual ones. "Because electric brushes have a rotation, they essentially force the toothpaste in more difficult-to-reach areas, which is where cavities start," says Dr. Creaven.
