Brushing your teeth is one of the most important things you do throughout the day. While many people enjoy the feeling of a clean mouth, the appearance of white teeth and a minty fresh smile, the real benefits of brushing your teeth are in your oral health. Plaque results from a chemical reaction from bacteria, carbs, saliva, and food particles that stick to your teeth. If you don’t brush your teeth, the plaque hardens into tartar and is a protective shell harboring bacteria. The bacteria eats away at your teeth and gums until it eventually becomes gum disease (periodontal disease). From there, a manner of health problems can ensue.
The good news is you can avoid the negative consequences of poor oral hygiene habits with proper toothbrushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and visiting your dentist in Spokane, WA, twice a year.
Now that we know why brushing is so important, we can address the question. Are electric toothbrushes better? Yes. Electric toothbrushes clean your teeth better than a manual toothbrush.
Here is a comprehensive guide on electric toothbrushes and why they’re better for your oral health and overall wellness.
Signs You Need Better Toothbrushing
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes twice daily. If you’re like most people, you only brush for a fraction of that time. The truth is that toothbrushing is more than just checking the “I did it” box. It’s about removing harmful bacteria and protecting your body from diseases. Thorough brushing is a must. Here are some signs that you need better toothbrushing.
Cavities at Every Dental Visit
If you need white fillings every time you visit the dentist, it’s a sign that you must brush your teeth more thoroughly and that you could benefit from an electric toothbrush. Cavities are a sign of poor oral hygiene in many cases. A cavity is tooth decay caused by bacteria that are eating your tooth. You start to feel that it hurts when the sensitive inner part of your tooth is exposed.
If you have cavities, your Spokane dentists, Drs. Ken and Marnie Collins can repair them and help you improve your oral care routine.
Regular Large Tartar (Calculus) Deposits
Do you remember the plaque and tartar we talked about before? Your Spokane dentist scrapes tartar or calculus deposits from your teeth during your twice-annual dental cleaning and exam. This is another good sign that you aren’t brushing your teeth as well as you should be. It may be a good time to get an electric toothbrush. These hardened deposits start as soft plaque, but if they’re not removed promptly with tooth brushing, they will harden in a process similar to fossilization and house bacteria.
Tartar can aid the development of periodontal disease, leading to tooth loss and other, more significant consequences.
Electric Toothbrushes Clean Your Teeth Better
An electric toothbrush can help you improve tooth brushing in three ways:
- It can sometimes give more consistent force in brushing than people can achieve using their hands. It’s perfect for people who have difficulty reaching back teeth.
- It uses a rotary motion preferred for tooth brushing over the back-and-forth motion many people commonly apply.
- Most have timers to ensure you’re brushing for two full minutes.
- Electric toothbrushes are easier to use. Your arm may get tired of manually brushing for two minutes. With an electric toothbrush, there is less work on your end.
Electric toothbrushes clean your teeth better than manual brushing.
How Electric Toothbrushes Work
Your electric toothbrush cleans better than your manual toothbrush because of its different motions. The head of the toothbrush rotates in different directions and vibrates against your teeth and gums. This oscillating motion allows the brush to clean hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.
How to Use an Electric Toothbrush
First, replace the head of your electric toothbrush every three months, just as often as you would a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are easy to use and very effective at cleaning plaque from your teeth. Follow these steps:
- Make sure your electric toothbrush is charged. Place it in its charger after each use, and you won’t have to worry about it not being charged when you need it.
- Put cavity-fighting toothpaste on the brush and hold it at a 45-degree angle.
- Clean the surfaces of your teeth (front, back, and top) by holding the brush on each tooth’s surface for a few seconds. Don’t forget the back of your back molars!
- After thoroughly cleaning each tooth and surface, run the electric toothbrush along your gumline to fight any plaque buildup there.
- Finally, brush your tongue with the electric toothbrush, rinse, spit, and take a drink of water. You’re done!
Electric Toothbrushes are Better for Your Dental Health
Are electric toothbrushes better? Yes, they’re better for your dental health. If you have more questions on electric toothbrushes or oral health, call (509) 532-1111 or make an appointment online. Our Spokane dentists are here to help you have the healthiest and most beautiful smile.
