Is An Electric Toothbrush Worth It?
Are you considering switching out your manual toothbrush for an electric toothbrush? For most people, making the switch can mean less plaque on the teeth, which means less tartar and less risk of developing gum disease. If you are thinking of making the switch our Melbourne, FL dentist can help you choose the right electric toothbrush.
Benefits of Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes can help you remove more plaque from your mouth. Plaque develops as the result of food particles mixing with saliva. This creates a sticky, clear film that coats your teeth and can lead to dental decay and gingivitis if it is not periodically removed. For some people, the best way to remove that plaque is with an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes have oscillating and spinning heads that can clean teeth faster than a manual toothbrush, allowing you to reach more of the surfaces of your teeth in the same amount of time.
Electric toothbrushes also allow you to focus on your technique and reaching every surface of your tooth and along the gum line. This is because all you have to do is angle the toothbrush correctly and make sure the bristles cross every tooth surface. With a manual toothbrush, you have to focus on moving the bristles in an up and down and/or circular motion while angling the toothbrush. This can be difficult for children, older adults, and individuals with dexterity problems in their hands.
Drawbacks of Electric Toothbrushes
The primary drawback of electric toothbrushes is the cost. While a manual toothbrush can often be purchased for a dollar or two, electric toothbrushes can cost anywhere from $6 to more than $100 dollars, depending on whether the toothbrush is disposable and its features. If you choose a non-disposable toothbrush, it’s important to remember that the heads must be changed out every three months or when the bristles begin to look worn, bent or discolored. It is also important to remain focused and brush the teeth for the required three minutes. For some children, teenagers, and adults, an electric toothbrush can cause them to become lazy because they believe the toothbrush is doing all the work. For individuals who travel, electric toothbrushes can be bulky when compared to a manual toothbrush.
Who Should Consider an Electric Toothbrush
If you’ve been told by our dentist that you have an excessive amount of plaque and/or tartar on your teeth and below the gum line, you may want to consider an electric toothbrush. When used correctly, electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes, which means less tartar below your gum line. Individuals with braces, bridges, and crowns may also benefit from electric toothbrushes because they have the ability to clean in and around certain orthodontic appliances. Electric toothbrushes are also great for children, especially when they play music for three minutes to ensure the teeth are brushed for the proper amount of time, and they are great for individuals who have trouble angling the toothbrush correctly while brushing the teeth and/or reaching the back molars.
Improving Dental Hygiene with Our Melbourne, FL Dentist
Our Melbourne, FL dentist at Artistic Touch Dentistry can help you improve your oral hygiene by helping you choose the right electric toothbrush for your needs as well as other dental hygiene products, like toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash. We can also refresh your memory on the proper way to brush your teeth in order to remove the most plaque from your mouth. In addition to proper at-home oral hygiene practices, our dentist also recommends schedule dental checkups and teeth cleanings every six months. By having all the plaque and tartar professionally scraped from your teeth and below the gum line twice a year, you are further reducing your risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease, and if your dentist notices any signs of cavities or gum inflammation, it can be treated in a timely manner.
For your information on our dental services and to schedule your six-month checkup, call us at 321-724-1400.