Manual Vs Electric Toothbrush
If you have been to your dentist or hygienist, you may have been told to buy an electric toothbrush. But what is all the hype about?
Research suggests that electric toothbrushes may help reduce plaque and support healthier gums compared to manual brushing for some people, though results depend on consistent technique and individual oral health. But how does it do this?
Manual toothbrushes are what we were raised to use as a child. Ingrained in our upbringing we haven’t strayed away from the comfortable control of our manual toothbrush. Admittedly we probably all keep our tooth brushes a little too long before replacing them. The highest risk with a manual toothbrush is human error. We have created a habit from our younger years of brushing our teeth for 2 minutes or singing along to the Happy Birthday song in our heads. We concentrate too much on the length of time we brush and how often but sometimes forget to think about the technique! Cue, electric toothbrushes.
Electric toothbrushes were created to fill the void of user error. With some exhibiting features with timers that remind you to change sides of your mouth by vibrating in a different pattern and automatic switch off after 2 minutes to let you know you are done. Time aside, they feature smaller toothbrush heads that oscillate, meaning they can get into hard-to-reach areas that we miss when brushing back and forth. By far the best feature is the pressure sensors, which tell you when you are pushing too hard. A toothbrush’s role is to get the soft plaque off our teeth, you shouldn’t have to scrub or use firm hard bristles. Pushing too hard can have a domino effect, which can cause irreversible damage to the gums and enamel on our teeth.
Picking a toothbrush has always been difficult, with the amount on the market we don’t blame you. At Hutt Dental Hub, patient education is a key part of every appointment. Picking the right toothbrush, and aftercare at home is one of our main focuses. To ensure you are doing everything in your power to look after your oral health, it is best to keep up a regular relationship with your dentist and hygienist. Call or book online to organise an appointment today.
Hutt Dental Hub is a dental clinic serving the Lower Hutt community. Our dentist in Lower Hutt provides a wide range of services including general dentistry, dental implants, orthodontics, emergency appointments, and dental sedation. Using advanced 3D digital technology, we deliver accurate, patient-focused care. As NZDA members, our team is committed to ongoing professional development and best practice.
