“Do I REALLY Have to Get That Electric Toothbrush?”

“Do I REALLY Have to Get That Electric Toothbrush?”

Unless there was a dentist in the family, many of us probably grew up using what’s called a “manual” toothbrush instead of an electric one. These days you can pick up a manual toothbrush in your local grocery store for just a few dollars, or you might get it for free the next time you visit the dentist. While it’s true that these suckers might work just as well as a higher-end electric toothbrush, it sure takes a lot more work. Why? It all has to do with the motion of the bristles.

Electric toothbrushes: the hard workers in dental hygiene.

One of the reasons a toothbrush is most effective is because of its ability to mechanically remove food and bacteria buildup from our teeth. But just gliding your toothbrush over the surface of your teeth doesn’t quite get the job done. To adequately remove built-up plaque from your teeth with a manual toothbrush, you must work the bristles in a circular motion over the entire surface of each tooth for at least two minutes twice a day. An electric toothbrush does all this work for you. The motorized rotating toothbrush head provides the power behind plaque removal and makes it much easier for you to use your toothbrush efficiently. Some electric toothbrushes even include a built-in timer that vibrates when two minutes are up. Manual toothbrushes sure seem outdated and more complicated than electric toothbrushes now, huh?

Ready to make the investment?

It sounds like a big step, but making the switch to an electric toothbrush is a great way to simplify your hygiene routine. Electric toothbrushes are much more effective for people who might not be able to maneuver their manual toothbrushes properly, like small children or individuals with motor function challenges, or those of us that just get lazy when we brush. The average high-tech, rechargeable electric toothbrush can cost more than $200, and that’s before you factor in the cost to replace your toothbrush heads. If you’re on a budget or you have lots of mouth to brush, try looking into battery-powered toothbrushes. These are usually easily available at your grocery store, and many warehouse stores sell them in packs of 4 to 6. The battery usually dies right around the time you should replace your brush anyways, so it keeps you on track.

Not sure what kind of brush is best for you? Dr. Carter can help you decide what kind of brush you (and your family) should be looking for, and she might even be able to give you a discount on a brand new rechargeable electric toothbrush!