Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes

Am I brushing correctly?

A regular manual toothbrush is a great tool for cleaning your teeth, provided that you are thorough, and use the proper brushing technique.

• Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
• Gently move the brush in a circular motion across the teeth.
• Remember to brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.

If you brush as outlined above, and both you and your dentist are satisfied with the condition of your oral health, then it sounds like you're doing great! There’s no need for any additional tools (other than floss, of course; use that once a day!).

If, on the other hand, you struggle to brush all of your teeth sufficiently with a manual toothbrush, or if you or your dentist feel your oral hygiene routine could use a boost, you may find that an electric toothbrush is a very helpful tool.

How can an electric toothbrush help?

Electric toothbrushes that have small, round, rotating heads mimic the ideal brushing motion. We feel that it's best to avoid electric toothbrushes that make a sawing motion if you can.

The truth is that with a good-quality electric toothbrush you hardly have to do any work! Simply apply your toothpaste to your electric toothbrush, place it up against your teeth, and turn it on. Then all you have to do is guide it gently around your mouth, over all the surfaces of your teeth.

You don’t need to perform the brushing motion yourself, and this makes it much easier to clean the backs of your front teeth (which can be awkward with a manual toothbrush), and the small round head makes cleaning your back molars and other tight or hard-to-reach areas a little easier, too.

And because the brush head spins so quickly, electric toothbrushes can also help to remove surface stains from your teeth. Some electric toothbrushes even have timers so that you know when your full two minutes are up!

Overall, an electric toothbrush can help you brush more thoroughly, and may even make brushing feel like less of a chore.

Often find yourself brushing too hard?

Some people hesitate to try an electric toothbrush because they are concerned that an electric toothbrush would be too harsh on their tooth enamel or their gums.

However, many electric toothbrush users find that it actually helps them brush more gently, because they don’t have to make the scrubbing motion themselves. Scrubbing tends to make you want to apply pressure, and this is a non-issue with an electric toothbrush, as it performs the motion for you.

If you are very concerned about brushing too hard, many electric toothbrush brands sell heads with soft bristles for sensitive teeth and gums.

Wondering if an electric toothbrush may be a good option for you? Please contact our office today to book an appointment with one of our North York dentists.