Your toothbrush is one of the most important tools you own. It is what helps you keep your teeth and gums clean, which in turn protects the health of your body. Therefore, it is critical that you pay attention to your toothbrush and know when it needs to be replaced – or upgraded!
Manual Vs. Electric Toothbrushes
Are you using a manual toothbrush? You are not alone. This is the version that most Americans rely on to clean their teeth. While manual toothbrushes can certainly get the job done, you may be someone who could really benefit from a “powered up” version. An electric toothbrush offers remarkable efficiency compared to a manual toothbrush. For example, the average person can produce around 200 strokes per minute with a manual toothbrush, but an electric toothbrush can generate up to 30,000 strokes per minute!
Advantages of an Electric Toothbrush
Beyond efficiency, the electric toothbrush requires the least amount of work on your part. By simply placing the head of the toothbrush (with toothpaste) on the surfaces of your teeth, the auto-powered spinning bristles go to work and clear away food debris, plaque and other unwanted substances from your teeth and gums.
Is an Electric Toothbrush Better For You?
While an electric toothbrush is available to all patients, there are certain groups of people that can greatly benefit from a toothbrush that delivers maximum effectiveness with minimal effort and coordination. To help you confirm or deny your powered toothbrush investment, ask yourself the following questions?
Are you a lazy brusher? If you consider yourself lackadaisical in your oral hygiene routine or you tend to be really tired at night when you do the job, an electric toothbrush could be your best option.
Are you an aggressive brusher? It is not uncommon for some patients to be too forceful in their brushing efforts, which can cause manual toothbrush bristles to fray prematurely as well as produce enamel damage and receding gums. An electric toothbrush can help you manage the force of your brushing strokes so that you don’t do more harm than good.
Are you a novice brusher? Electric toothbrushes can be ideal for small children who are learning to brush on their own and don’t have the dexterity and coordination to brush well.
Are you an elderly brusher? Just like young kids, aging adults can experience challenges in dexterity that make brushing difficult. Since electric toothbrushes don’t require strong eyesight or hand dexterity, they are an excellent solution for aging adults.
Need More Brushing Tips?
The amount of oral care products on the market can be overwhelming. At Gainesville Dental Group, we always welcome your questions and curiosities as it pertains to your dental care routine at home. We are happy to recommend an ADA-approved toothbrush and other dental care products that can improve your oral hygiene efforts and boost your smile health between office visits.
Posted on behalf of Gainesville Dental Group
