Why you should consider investing in an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes have been around for a while now and there are so many on the market. When a new health product is launched, there may be good reasons to try it but quite often there isn’t scientific evidence to support it. 

Now that they have been tested more thoroughly over time, there is good-quality scientific evidence to show that electric toothbrushes do a much better job at controlling the level of plaque on teeth – which is the main reason for brushing.

Let’s look at some of the benefits of using an Electric Toothbrush

More forgiving

If we use a regular manual toothbrush in precisely the correct manner, it can be as effective as an electric toothbrush. However, we often do not – dentists included. When we are tired or rushing we don’t brush effectively or concentrate on good technique. Electric toothbrushes require less of our attention to complete a more thorough job.  

Pressure sensor

Incorrect toothbrushing technique is the number 1 cause of ‘Gum Recession’ in adults. Sometimes people with excellent oral hygiene can suffer quite pronounced gum recession due to an abrasive brushing technique over many years. While this is keeping the teeth clean, the softer tissue around the tooth retreats making us ‘long in the tooth’. 

Electric toothbrushes give us a gentle reminder when we are applying too much pressure in the form of a beep or buzz. They are better at finding the correct balance between brushing effectively, whilst not doing harm to softer gum around the tooth 

Encourages children to brush

There are good arguments for children to learn how to use a regular, manual toothbrush. There will be situations where an electric brush is not available and it’s an important life skill. However, using an electric brush can make brushing more fun and engaging for children. And do a more effective job in the process. 

Limited dexterity

For anyone who has impaired mobility or reduced dexterity, an electric brush will most likely have a big impact on their oral health.

What’s the catch?

A decent electric toothbrush is likely to cost a minimum €50 compared to a regular brush which may cost €2. Replacement brush heads are also more expensive than a regular toothbrush so these are factors to consider. 

You need to remember to keep it charged and it may not be the best option for someone who travels a lot. 

Unfortunately, no toothbrush or toothpaste can fully protect us from cavities but effective brushing over a lifetime can have an extremely positive effect on gum health and dental health in general. 

I recommend...

I am a big fan of electric brushes and feel that virtually all of us would be better off using one. Aside from the scientific studies showing the benefit, your teeth will feel cleaner and your breath fresher. It is more expensive than a regular toothbrush but it’s a good investment in your oral health.

Philips and Oral-B/Braun lead the way in quality, proven electric brushes for children and adults and there is a huge variety to choose from.

I have been using the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean for several years and find it excellent. 

At OrthoDental Abbeyleix, we welcome questions about dental hygiene from new and returning customers. We currently operate a hassle-free online booking facility to schedule an appointment at your convenience. We are also offering Virtual Assessments for Orthodontic treatments.