We are always excited by our patients wanting to do everything they can to maintain an excellent oral health. We are often asked about getting an electric toothbrush.
So, is electric toothbrush better at keeping your teeth ‘clean and fresh”?
Dental plaque, a thick sticky layer, that builds up on your teeth throughout the day from products in your saliva and provides breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The longer it remains on your teeth, more harmful the bacteria in it. These bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
We are often bombarded with different methods and products to remove this plaque from your teeth and gum. The most effective way to remove plaque from your teeth is mechanically with a toothbrush and interdental cleaning devices (i.e. flossing and interdental brushes). This can be achieved with both manual and electric toothbrush.
Which is better?
Manual brushes are readily available with different designs and comfort levels, giving you feel of more control. Also, they are cheaper and easy to replace. It is adequate for most, if, you brush for two minutes or longer and reach all surfaces of your teeth.
Electric toothbrushes, on the other hand, are designed to make toothbrushing easier by doing a lot of the work you. It usually has a 2-minute timer to ensure your brush for two minutes or longer. We often recommended it for those with reduced dexterity. Also, we find that kids enjoy using it and acts as great motivation for good oral hygiene.
Our recommendation:
- Soft -medium bristled manual toothbrushing for two minutes or longer in up and down fashion or circular motion. Avoid scrubbing motion.
- Electric toothbrush: Rotation oscillation e.g. Oral B.
- Cleaning between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes
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