Electric toothbrushes offer several benefits when compared to traditional toothbrushes. Is it time for you to make the switch?

Electric toothbrush advertisements are quick to promise how they will simplify your life and benefit your oral hygiene. But the higher price of electric toothbrushes raises the question: how well do they actually work? 

In fact, there are several advantages electric toothbrushes have over manual toothbrushes. Here’s what you need to know when considering which toothbrush is right for you. 

How Do Electric Toothbrushes Work?

An electric toothbrush is powered by a rechargeable battery that vibrates the bristles on the head of the brush. Compared to traditional toothbrushes, this rapid movement offers additional help in cleaning plaque off your teeth and dislodging food particles. 

However, electric toothbrushes won’t do all the work for you. If you decide to buy an electric toothbrush, you’ll still need to practice healthy brushing habits — i.e. brush at least twice a day and floss once daily.

Because an electric toothbrush vibrates its bristles automatically, you won’t need to move your toothbrush back and forth across your teeth with the same amount of force as a regular toothbrush. Simply press the bristles against your teeth and slowly move the brush around your mouth. 

Are Electric Toothbrushes Really Better?

When it comes to maintaining good dental hygiene, electric toothbrushes have several advantages compared to traditional toothbrushes. These include: 

• Less hand movement. Because electric toothbrushes don’t require nearly as much hand movement as a regular toothbrush, they can be useful if you have limited mobility. People with conditions like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome are likely to find the convenience of electric toothbrushes especially helpful.
• Cleaning hard-to-reach spots. The vibrations of electric toothbrushes help to dislodge pesky food particles, which makes them effective at cleaning hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. This can make electric toothbrushes especially useful for people with braces. 
• Easy on your gums. Brushing too hard is a common dental hygiene problem. Excessive pressure while brushing can damage your gums and cause irritation. Fortunately, electric toothbrushes require less aggressive hand movements, and some even have a built-in pressure gauge to tell you if you’re brushing too hard. 

Keeping a Healthy Dental Care Routine

For most people, electric toothbrushes aren’t the only way to maintain good dental hygiene. Unless you have a specific issue like arthritis or braces, traditional toothbrushes combined with good daily habits can work just as effectively as an electric toothbrush. Often, the decision to use an electric toothbrush comes down to a matter of personal preference. 

If you’re looking for the right electric toothbrush, make sure it’s up to dental care standards with an ADA Seal of Acceptance. But no matter which kind of toothbrush you use, you should always visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. 

For dental advice from qualified professionals, visit us at Espire. We offer top-tier care with a focus on client wellbeing. Request an appointment today — your smile is too important to wait!