Are Electric Toothbrushes For Me?

Electric toothbrushes are so commonplace these days, they are available for purchase almost anywhere regular toothbrushes are sold. If you’ve never considered buying one, here is a quick rundown about electric toothbrushes that can help you decide whether or not they are for you.

Cost

Electric toothbrushes are more expensive than their manual counterparts, and can run anywhere from $15 to over $100. But they are known to give you a more thorough and precise cleaning than your handheld brush. Do your research and contact your dentist for advice and suggestions.

Special Features

Like with many electronics, these toothbrushes tend to have more features to them the more expensive they are. Some have timers that beep when you should move onto brushing another area of your teeth. Others have LCD screens that can display a timer or other information. The most common electric toothbrushes these days also have a rechargeable battery built in to the handle with a separate charging base that plugs directly into a wall outlet.

About Sonic Toothbrushes

Sonic toothbrushes use ultrasonic waves to clean teeth, ranging from 9,000 to 40,000 strokes per minute. For comparison, manual toothbrushes usually take about 300 strokes per minute.

Vibration vs. Oscillation-Rotation

There are two types of cleaning actions that electric toothbrushes do that require different brushing techniques. Brushes using an oscillation-rotation cleaning action simply need to move slowly from tooth to tooth, while vibrating brushes require the normal brushing motion similar to a manual toothbrush.

Effectiveness

Research has shown that yes, electric toothbrushes can be more effective at preventing gingivitis and plaque buildup. However, research has also shown that a manual toothbrush can be just as effective as long as people are brushing properly with the correct stroke.

If you have any questions about your dental health or would like to talk to a dentist about effective brushing habits and gingivitis prevention, contact Greenspoint Dental today for an appointment.