Toothbrushes: the pros and cons of electric and disposable | PSS (Herts)

Is your electric toothbrush damaging your teeth?

Some people have expressed concern that electric toothbrushes may cause damage to the teeth – however, this is only likely to occur if you push hard or apply too much pressure on certain areas.

This study shows that brushing force using a manual toothbrush is significantly higher than electric toothbrushes, and manual toothbrushes cause the highest abrasion.

The other danger (as with normal toothbrushing) is that if you eat something acidic and then brush your teeth straight away you could damage the enamel of the teeth by moving the acidic residue around your mouth.

Generally, a better rule is to wait 45 minutes before brushing your teeth.

• More effective at removing plaque
• Better mobility and access to hard-to-reach places
• Built-in timer
• More efficient – faster at cleaning, better
• Can improve oral health if you have braces

The electric toothbrush does not cause damage to the teeth or to the gums if you are mindful of the pressure you are applying.

Interestingly, this study found that people are more likely to apply harder pressure if they are using manual toothbrushes because they have more control over it.

Some reasons why people may not want to opt for an electric toothbrush over a manual one are:

• More expensive: Although there are affordable options on the market, of course, they are more expensive than manual toothbrushes. They, however, often last a lot longer than manual toothbrushes, which must be replaced regularly.
• Don’t need electricity: Manual toothbrushes are easier to use if you are on the road or in a bathroom without an electricity socket.
• Sensation: For some people, simply do not like the feeling of the vibrating toothbrush in their mouth, so for this reason prefer to stick to a manual brush.

There are various electric toothbrushes available on the market, and several things to consider when choosing which toothbrush is best for you.

One thing to consider is the brush head; some brush heads are round and rotate (allowing them to circle and reach the entire expanse of the tooth) while some may pulse and oscillate.

Some toothbrushes will be equipped with a timer – which assists you in managing the required 2-minute brushing time.

More modern toothbrushes even have Bluetooth, which allows you to log and track your brushing through mobile phone apps.

Get in contact with us and find out what toothbrushes we recommend as top of the market to ensure the best brushing experience for you.

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