Regular Or Electric Toothbrush?

Our Epsom dentists discuss which is more efficient for cleaning your teeth.

More and more people are switching to electric toothbrushes from standard ones.

In today’s blog, we look at which, if any, are better for cleaning your teeth and try to break through the confusing varieties which are currently available in your local supermarket or pharmacy.

Armed with a little knowledge upfront, you should be well-placed to make an informed decision.

Standard toothbrushes

These have been around for a very long time, with very rudimentary ones being found in archeological digs. These early toothbrushes commonly consisted of twigs instead of bristles. We can only be thankful for our predecessors that much less sugar was eaten then than now, given the inevitable inefficiency of this method! Modern toothbrushes are obviously much better, with most designed for efficient cleaning. Many of us will have grown up using these and no doubt still do, despite the range of new electric and electronic versions on offer.

Providing that you take your time to clean your teeth well, angling the bristles to make sure that you clean under the gum line, there is no reason why you can’t keep your teeth clean using a standard brush. Some people however, have a habit of brushing too hard. Over time, this will cause the enamel to erode and may also cause gum recession. As the gums recede, the less well protected roots of our teeth are exposed, and decay and sensitivity may soon follow. Our advice is to follow the guidance of our hygienist and learn the correct way to brush – and try to stick to it!

Electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrush prices now make them almost as affordable as standard brushes. This is probably one of the reasons, along with advertising, that has lead to an increase in their use. Although some argue that it is a lazy way to brush teeth, the fact is that the high rotational speeds of the bristles mean that they can do a very good job at cleaning your teeth. In addition to this, many electric brushes now have pressure sensors which cut out if you are brushing too hard. This minimises the possibilities of the enamel erosion and gum recession that we mentioned earlier

Children especially, may benefit from using an electric toothbrush, enabling them to remove sugars from their teeth more easily. However, even with the fanciest of electric toothbrushes, you still need to learn the correct way to brush and persevere diligently with this.

One more thing….

Whether you use a standard or electric toothbrush, it is important to remember that the bristles need to be effective. To make sure that they stay this way, you should replace the brush, or the head of an electric one, approximately every three months. Failure to do so is likely to mean that your teeth will not be cleaned properly.

Cleaning your teeth well is a good start to having healthy teeth and gums. You do still need to see the dentist and hygienist at The Clock Tower Dental Clinic every six months to have your teeth professionally cleaned and to monitor your overall dental health. Make an appointment to see a dentist at our Epsom practice by calling us today on 01372 720136.