There are many high-tech products and gadgets that claim to improve your oral health, but there’s one that consistently delivers: the electric toothbrush. Once you make the switch, you’ll wonder how you went so many years without one! While it’s certainly possible to have terrific oral hygiene without an electric toothbrush, having one makes caring for your teeth a lot simpler. Here’s why.
You’ll Have Better Brushing Habits
Most people believe that they brush for two minutes, but unless you time yourself, there’s no way to know if you’re actually doing it—two minutes might not sound like much, but it’s a lot longer than you think, especially when you’re brushing your teeth. Electric toothbrushes have built-in timers to ensure that you’re brushing for a full two minutes.
That’s not the only way electric toothbrushes can improve your oral hygiene habits either. Most also have reminders at 30-second intervals so you spend an equal amount of time brushing each quadrant of the mouth. High-end brushes have sensors to let you know when you’re brushing too hard, which helps prevent gum recession. You may even get reminders from your toothbrush when it’s time to change brush heads.
Your Teeth Will Be Cleaner
You don’t have to take our word for it, nor do you have to listen to manufacturers’ claims or anecdotal evidence from friends and family who have made the switch—electric toothbrushes have been studied extensively and are proven to do a better job removing plaque than manual toothbrushes. Studies in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry, the Journal of the International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry, and the Journal of Clinical Dentistry all show a difference in performance between manual and electric brushes.
No matter how thorough you are with a manual toothbrush, it can’t duplicate the rotation oscillation and vibration of an electric toothbrush. This is what makes electric toothbrushes better at removing plaque from the surfaces of the teeth, giving you that fresh-from-the-dentist feeling every time you brush. When patients have electric toothbrushes at home, it’s noticeable when we see them for their dental exams and cleanings.
You Can Address a Wide Range of Dental Needs
Although the most basic electric toothbrushes might only have on and off buttons, mid-range and high-end models have an array of settings that target specific oral health needs. Some common settings include:
- Teeth whitening
- Sensitivity
- Gum care
- Deep cleaning
- Tongue Cleaning
- Refresh
There are even electric toothbrushes that come complete with apps to help you keep track of your brushing habits on your smartphone!
Of course, all these bells and whistles can make brushing fun, but when it comes to your oral health, the movement of an electric brush is much more critical than having an app on your phone. Even an inexpensive electric toothbrush will go a long way towards keeping your teeth free of plaque buildup.
Learn More About Electric Toothbrushes
If you’d like a personalized toothbrush recommendation or you need to schedule an appointment for a checkup, contact us at 203-775-2225.