Choosing the best toothbrush For each person it is not an easy task. In addition to the offer of soft, hard, straight, flexible, curved brushes... Electric ones come into play. But, are the latter really recommended? Or is it better to trust the manual toothbrush of a lifetime?
From the outset, electric brushes allow for more comfortable and easy cleaning than manual ones. According to periodontal health guide of the European Federation of Periodontology, both brushes are effective if used correctly, although some studies show that electric brushes are slightly more effective.
Un comparative study published in Cochrane showed that the use of electric brushes reduces plaque by 11% more than manual brushes between the first and third month of use, and 21% after three months. Regarding gingivitis, it reduces it by 6% between the first and third month, and 11% after three months of use.
In addition, people who use an electric one tend to brush for longer, especially those whose brush has a timer.
However, if, for example, we have undergone surgery or oral intervention and we have stitches or sensitized areas, our dentist may recommend manual and soft brushing.
How to choose an electric toothbrush
The first thing we have to consider is our oral hygiene needs: Do we have a tendency to suffer from gingivitis, cavities, bad breath, stains on our teeth...? Your dentist can guide you in this regard. There are electric brushes with specific accessories for the gums —such as the dental irrigator—, tongue cleaning or to promote whitening.
The main difference between electric toothbrushes is how they produce movement. We can find, on the one hand, rotating, rotating or oscillating brushes, and on the other, sonic or ultrasonic brushes, which produce movement by vibrating the head.
Rotating brushes
- They are more effective in removing dental plaque.
- They clean better in hard-to-reach areas.
- Effective against tobacco or coffee stains.
- More comfortable to use, since they require less effort on our part.
Ultrasonic brushes
- More effective and deep cleaning, thanks to its vibrations and high-frequency movement.
- They act better against bacterial plaque, since the vibrations introduce oxygen-rich bubbles into the saliva that prevent the growth of bacteria in areas where plaque accumulates.
- More effective for people who wear orthodontia.
In other words, the decision will depend on our specific oral hygiene needs.
In addition, many electric toothbrushes have technological functions that we can value. For example, the timer is very useful to make sure that we brush for the minimum recommended time. The pressure sensor can be very practical for people suffering from gingivitis or periodontitis. Other functionalities, such as bluetooth, allow us to collect data on time, pressure, etc. to assess the quality of brushing. Our recommendation is that we select the functionalities that are really going to be useful to us.
How to use an electric toothbrush
In itself, the cleaning technique with a manual brush or an electric one is not too different. The World Health Organization gives some general recommendations on the use of the brush:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, two minutes each time. In this case, the electric brush with a timer helps us to respect the recommended brushing time.
- Use a fluoridated toothpaste to prevent cavities.
- Change the brush every two or three months. In the case of electric ones, follow the recommendations of each manufacturer.
- When you brush, you should get to all parts of the tooth, and don't forget to brush your tongue, even the back area.
- The most practical thing is to follow a specific order, a method that allows us not to forget any area.
Maintenance tips
Electric toothbrushes, even the most basic ones, require a higher investment than manual ones. We give you some tips to take care of your electric toothbrush and it will last much longer:
- Rinse the brush well after each use, so that no traces of paste, food or fluids remain.
- Let the brush air dry and store it upright.
- Change the head every two or three months, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations, or in any case if you notice that the filaments are worn or deformed.
A correct cleaning is the first step to enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for life, that's why we recommend always following some good oral hygiene habits. At the Ahoa Clinic we can offer you all the necessary instruments for oral cleaning, and above all the best advice adapted to you.