Is An Electric Toothbrush Actually Better?

At Dentists on the Gold Coast, we believe that the key to long lasting dental health is down to a combination of several different good habits which have a cumulative beneficial effect on the entire mouth.

While brushing is a big part of this, the type of brush you use plays an important role in this. The good old fashioned bristled toothbrush will always be around and when used properly, is extremely effective, but there is no denying that electric toothbrushes have changed the way people care for their teeth.

Innovation in electric toothbrushing technology and recent studies show clear evidence that these brushes have significant advantages over their traditional predecessors.

There are many kinds of electric toothbrushes. The main difference is how the brush moves:

Rotary:

The brush head moves in a circular motion at approximately 3,000 to 7,500 strokes per minute. A toothbrush where the head moves in alternate directions is called rotation oscillation.

Sonic:

These brushes use a side-to-side motion which move at a speed 10 times that of a rotary brush — about 31,000 brush strokes per minute.

Ultrasonic:

Electric brushed which use an incredibly fast side-to-side motion, creating vibrations that dislodge plaque very effectively.

Ionic:

A fascinating kind of brush where the head doesn’t move, but passes a low electric current through the head which attracts plaque.

But are electric brushes with their many fascinating technologies better than traditional brushes? Read on to find out more.

Better at Removing Plaque

There is now good evidence to suggest that electric toothbrushes decrease plaque build-up and gingivitis better than manual toothbrushes. In some studied, over a three-month period, plaque was reduced by 21 percent and gingivitis by up to 11 percent. It was also observed that oscillating toothbrushes seemed to work better than simple vibrating toothbrushes.

Easier for Disabled Individuals

There is no doubt that since electric brushes take care of brush movement for the individual, they are well-suited for people with limited mobility due to carpal tunnel, arthritis and other disabilities. These brushes are also ideal for the elderly.

Easier to Focus

By letting the brush take care of the movement, your focus can remain entirely on making sure that all the surfaces in the mouth are properly cleaned. Studies have shown a person’s focus is significantly better when using an electric brush because the eyes can focus on hard to reach and often overlooked surfaces, sticking to a tooth brushing plan while the brush itself takes care of the specific motions that we now know provide the best results for cleaning hard to reach spots between teeth.

Beneficial for People Who Wear Braces

Those who wear braces must take extra care to ensure cleanliness in the mouth. An electric brush has the power and precision required to reach difficult spots and corners created by dental appliances and must be used for optimal cleaning

Safer for Weak Gums

Used properly, an electric toothbrush should not hurt your gums or enamel but instead promote overall oral health. Electric toothbrushes flush and irrigate gum pockets better than a standard brush. This can result in healthier gums and teeth!

Learn more about preventative dental care on our website or book an appointment with our dental experts today!