Electric toothbrushes have been proven to be 25% more effective than their manual counterparts, and many dentists and dental organizations recommend that you make the upgrade to an electric toothbrush. However, if you want the extra efficiency you need to make sure that you get a toothbrush that has the features you need, and you need to make sure you are using it correctly. There are several common mistakes made by electric toothbrush users that can make them a waste of money.
Buy the Brush With the Features You Need
Not all electronic toothbrushes are created equally. In fact, the current models come with a variety of features that may surprise you. These include timers to make sure you brush for the full two minutes recommended by dentists, pressure sensitivity that will stop the brush if you press too hard, and varying speeds. If you have a habit of not brushing long enough during each session, you should pay for that extra feature. However, if you have great hygiene habits already, then you can benefit from one of the more basic, and cheaper, models.
Brush Often and For the Proper Amount of Time
When you first purchase an electric toothbrush, you may find the novelty of the device inspires you to brush more often and enjoy longer brushing sessions. This is especially true for children, who may think their light-up, vibrating toothbrush is more of a toy than a chore. However, after time the newness will wear off and you will find yourself settling into your old brushing habits.
In fact, you may find yourself brushing less often. This is because you may think that the extra effectiveness of your toothbrush will compensate for a little slack in your daily hygiene routine. Unfortunately, this is not true. Skipping brushings, or only brushing for one minute during each session will lead to more plaque and gum disease, even if you use an electric toothbrush.
Don't Substitute Brushing For Flossing
While an electric toothbrush may leave your mouth feeling amazingly fresh and clean, it still cannot brush between your teeth. You need to remember to floss at least once a day, even when you use an electric toothbrush.
Use Proper Brushing Technique
You still need to use proper brushing technique when you use an electric toothbrush. This involves sweeping debris away from the gum line on each of your teeth. Many people think that the rotating bristles will do all of the work for them and hold the toothbrush in one place. This often results in missed patches. If you find your technique suffering when you transition to an electric toothbrush, you should bring it with you to your next dental appointments. Your dental hygienist can watch you brush your teeth and give you tips on how to use the electric toothbrush more effectively.
Buy Replacement Heads As Soon as Necessary
Most dentists recommend changing your electric toothbrush head as often as you should change your toothbrush, which is about every three months, due to worn out bristles. Unfortunately, electric toothbrush heads can cost up to four times as much as the average toothbrush, so this is an investment to consider when you are purchasing your toothbrush.
Whether an electric toothbrush is worth the investment is ultimately a personal decision. If you use the brush properly, then you may see improvement in your oral health. However, if you already have great oral health and are dedicated to strict oral hygiene standards, then the extra cost of an electric toothbrush may not be worth it. It is much more important to brush correctly and floss everyday than to occasionally use the latest gadget available. If you have questions regarding proper toothbrushing technique or seek more information regarding electric toothbrushes, then go to sites like this one to find a dentist who can answer your questions.
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