Toothbrushes Blog

The Benefits Of Using An Electric Toothbrush

Written by Advice Team on February 8, 2016

When it comes to choosing a toothbrush the options available are surprisingly broad but the biggest choice is whether to go manual or electric. Generally this is a matter of personal preference; some people simply feel more comfortable with a manual toothbrush, whereas others prefer an electric one. Proper use of a manual brush with good technique and a fluoride toothpaste can often be enough for most people to ensure a good standard of oral hygiene, however in many circumstances and for a variety of reasons many dental professionals believe that the electric variety can be more effective.

A Deeper Clean The bristles of an electric toothbrush oscillate rapidly over the surface of the teeth getting rid of more plaque, debris and food particles compared to a manual toothbrush. In addition, the motion of the brush supplies more pressure and power and allows the bristles to get to those hard to reach areas like the crevices in between the teeth and along the gum line. Combined these result in a more effective and deeper clean.

Less Effort The ease of use of an electric toothbrush is a huge benefit; you get a better overall clean with hardly any effort at all. All you need to do is apply the toothpaste and let the brush do the work for you. By taking some of the effort out of cleaning, electric toothbrushes offer a great benefit to people with dexterity problems and limited movement, such as disabled or elderly people, who often find that using a manual toothbrush does not allow them to clean thoroughly.

Stain Removal The extra power and speed from an electric toothbrush makes it easier to remove the everyday stains caused by products such as nicotine, tea, coffee, food colouring, fizzy drinks or wine. Brushing by hand you hit an average of about 300 strokes per minute compared to 3000 to 7500 strokes per minute with an electric brush! Increasing the numbers of strokes increases the stain removing power.

Fresher Breath The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene, although persistent bad breath can sometimes be a sign of gum disease. Every day bacteria builds up around your teeth and on the surface of your tongue and gums. If not removed any food trapped in your teeth will be broken down by this bacteria, causing a bad smell. Eating strongly flavoured foods, smoking, dieting and even medication can also contribute to bad breath so it’s a good idea to brush your teeth after all meals and snacks.

Pressure Sensors Over-brushing and applying too much pressure when brushing can actually be very damaging to both your teeth and gums. Many modern electric toothbrushes come with a pressure sensor that alerts you by flashing a warning light if you apply too much pressure. Some models even feature differing modes, such as those for whitening, ‘massage’ for gums and soft modes for those with tooth-wear or sensitivity.

In-Built Timers Experts advise that it is important to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, however research shows that the average time most people spend brushing their teeth is just 40 seconds. Most modern electric toothbrushes now include in-built times which not only let you know when the 2 minutes are up but also split the time into quarters and let you know when to move onto another quadrant to ensure that everywhere in your mouth gets the same attention.

Reminders to Change the Head Higher-end brushes often include a function to remind you when you need to change the head. You need to change your toothbrush head every 3-6 months to ensure a good clean as worn or frayed bristles will not clean your teeth effectively. It is surprising how many people keep their toothbrushes for far longer than this which spells bad news for your teeth!

There is learning curve when moving from a manual brush to an electric toothbrush for the first time as there are slightly different techniques to using each but if you’ve not used an electric toothbrush as part of your oral care routine before, with these benefits it’s worth giving it a whirl! If you’re not sure where to start, check out our best selling electric toothbrushes, organised by popular price points to ensure you get the best product possible for your budget.