Electric tooth brush or manual toothbrush? Which to use!

16th July 2019

Electric tooth brush or manual toothbrush? Which to use!

Most studies show that electric toothbrushes clean more effectively than manual brushes when used correctly, the problem is many people either don’t use them correctly or not for long enough. If anyone is a love island fan they may have noticed some aggressive tooth brushing going on . ( I am not a fan of love island but I am a fan of electric toothbrushes)

So if you have been looking for an electric toothbrush you might be a little confused as you find yourself standing in the middle of the aisle staring at a myriad of toothbrushes – different makes different models, which one should you buy?

I feel, and studies show, that oral b electric tooth brushes are the more effective brushes to use. They are several different models within the oral b range with a variety of different features some have timers, different brushing modes and some you can connect to an app on your phone to tell you how well or not you are brushing , which is great if you like these kind of features, but obviously these come at a cost .

If you are too fussed by these extras I would recommend the oral b pro 2 , it comes with a pressure sensor, this lets you know if you are applying too much pressure, a two minute timer and a lithium battery which should give you 2 weeks of use.

Reducing plaque not only helps reduce the risk of tooth decay but perhaps more importantly the risk of gum disease, more teeth are lost through gum disease than decay.

Electric toothbrushes are also helpful for people with dexterity issues, such as those with arthritis of tremors. The larger handle makes it easier to hold and the powered toothbrush does the cleaning for you.

Now moving on to technique…………………………..

The oral b comes with a round head which oscillates and rotates for superior plaque removal over a forwards and back movement. Many people use them like a manual toothbrush which is no surprise if they have never been shown the correct technique.

Remember when brushing you must clean three surfaces of the teeth

The outside, the inside and the biting surfaces,

The bits in between the teeth will be cleaned with either interdental brushes or floss depending on the size of your gaps. Your hygienist will recommend which id most effect for you.

Hold the tooth brush to the gum line applying pressure so the bristles splay under the gum, this is where the plaque builds up , if it is not removed , the gums get red and inflamed this is the start of gum disease (gingivitis – which is reversible by correct cleaning). Hold on each surface for 3 seconds.

Brush this way on all 3 surfaces (the inside outside and biting surface) spend a little longer behind the lower front teeth as tartar builds up more easily here. And don’t forget the back surfaces of the last molar this is quite difficult area to clean.

Use a fluoride toothpaste and spit out after brushing rather than rinsing as this help keeps maintain fluoride levels.

Don’t’ forget to book in with your hygienist for a through clean and demonstration of brushing and interdental cleaning techniques.

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