About the Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush

With new technology comes new medical advances and these advances do not just apply to hospitals. Now the average person can have an electric toothbrush in their own home, allowing them to have and maintain a healthier smile.

Function

Electric toothbrushes move the bristles at a much faster rate than the human hand can possibly move, therefore allowing you to work smarter and not harder. With the bristles moving much faster, the toothbrush is more aptly able to remove plaque and even brush in between teeth. People with arthritis have a better advantage with an electric toothbrush because now they do not have to work so hard.

Benefits

Using an electric toothbrush gives you the feeling that you just received a cleaning from the dentist him/herself. The movement of the bristles produces a deep cleaning that a manual brush cannot provide. Electric toothbrushes are also excellent at removing stains, which is great for those of us who drink lots of coffee. Also, using an electric toothbrush can help remove bad breath that is caused by bacteria hiding in hard-to-reach places. Because plaque constantly grows on our teeth no matter how hard we try to stop it, an electric toothbrush can easily remove plaque without brushing so hard that it hurts your gums. And as stated before, people with arthritis do not have to work as hard with an electric toothbrush.

Types

There are two main types of electric toothbrushes: One that oscillates, meaning the bristles rotate in one direction and then the other, and then there is the Sonicare, which vibrates at a very fast pace. Although it seems dentists on television are always recommending the Sonicare toothbrush, the type you buy is really a matter of preference.

Misconceptions

Just because an electric toothbrush might be the latest and greatest invention out there, it does not mean using a manual one is now obsolete. Sometimes the reason people with an electric toothbrush have better cleaned teeth is because they are enjoying their new toy, but once the novelty wears off, they may return to only brushing their teeth before going to the dentist. Brushing your teeth on a regular basis is what helps reduce gingivitis and remove plaque, as well as making your teeth sparkle and shine. It does not seem to matter whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, although it seems the electric one does a more efficient job. The point is, you need to take care of your teeth.

Expert Insight

In an article written by Miranda Hitti on WebMD Health News, British researchers state that "Certain types of electric toothbrushes may be better at fighting plaque and gum disease than manual toothbrushes... When used for three months, those electric toothbrushes removed plaque 11% more effectively than manual toothbrushes, a review of toothbrush studies shows. They also reduced gingivitis by 6% over manual toothbrushes. This represented a 17% reduction in bleeding of the gums."