How to Choose an Electric Toothbrush

So you brush your teeth everyday (twice a day is really what we’d like to hear you say), why all the fuss over electric toothbrushes? For starters, electric toothbrushes can help to motivate people to brush. They are fast and take the work out of brushing. Electric toothbrushes are also a valuable tool for people who have limited arm/hand movement due to illness or muscle soreness. Electric toothbrushes have been proven to penetrate more than the top layer of plaque and get to the nitty, gritty grime that cause gum disease; statistics show an electric toothbrush cleans better. With so many types of electric toothbrushes to choose follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way to happy, healthy smile.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Electric toothbrush
• Toothpaste

1. 1-Define your purpose for wanting an electric toothbrush. Look at your life style and your situation, (age, limited arm/hand use, cleaner, brighter teeth).
2. 2-Check for a built in timer. Many electric tooth brushes have a built in two-minute timer with a 30-second beep signaling you to change to another area of your mouth to clean. Research has shown that most people brush for 30 to 60 seconds which isn’t long enough to clean the plaque off your teeth properly. Having a timer can help you lengthen the cleaning time.
3. 3-Be sure the bristles are soft. We can’t say this enough. Soft bristles are important while brushing. If you use medium to hard, you risk enamel erosion around your gum tissue.
4. 4-Be sure the handle of the brush fits nicely in your palm. Make sure it’s comfortable to hold. Move it around in your hand mimicking brushing to check for comfort.
5. 5-Choosing between a rechargeable or battery operated electric toothbrushes is a personal preference. Just remember that many battery operated brushes need the AA batteries changed every two months, while electric brushes don’t have the need for replacement. The price is much different for electric versus the battery operated brushes.
6. 6-Movement of the head of the toothbrush is another step. Choosing a rotating brush head or a head that moves up and down is a matter of choice. Try both types to see which one you prefer. Research has shown that both are effective in plaque removal.
7. 7-Pricing is probably one of the biggest factors. Pricing of electric toothbrushes ranges from under $10.00 to over $100.00. Battery operated brushes range from $6.00 to $20.00 and can be bought at most retail centers (grocery stores, drug stores, big retail stores), while most rechargeable toothbrushes range from $50.00 to $150.00 and can only be bought through your dentist or online.

Tips & Warnings

• Over all, just remember that personal toothbrushes need to be changed every three months. Rechargeable brushes need the heads changed every three months and the heads alone can range from $10.00 to $20.00 per pack of four or six. The advantage of the rechargeable is that each member of the family can have one head that fits the body of the toothbrush, while the battery operated brushes are for one person only.
• Consult an ADA approved Dentist for further questions regarding using electric toothbrushes and the bristle strength.