Using an electric toothbrush won't damage your teeth — but misusing one can lead to tooth damage, sensitivity, and gum recession. If you're considering investing in an electric toothbrush, keep reading as Taylor Dental explains how to prevent tooth damage when brushing your teeth.
Electric Toothbrush & Your Enamel
In general, electric toothbrushes on their own don't damage your enamel. The problem is just if you're pushing too hard with your brush, using a toothbrush head with hard bristles, or using abrasive toothpaste. These things can wear away at your enamel faster.
The American Dental Association (ADA) has stated that both electric and manual toothbrushes remove plaque and bacteria from teeth, as long as you use a proper brushing technique. In fact, they've said that the technique is more important than the tool.
Electric toothbrushes have a considerable advantage over their manual counterparts. Other than being more effective at plaque removal, power toothbrushes are the best types of toothbrushes for gum recession.
You can use electric tooth brush daily with caution. If misused,it can lead to tooth damage, sensitivity and gum recession. Use correct brushing technique. avoid brushing for overtime.
Dentists agree that overall, electric toothbrushes are superior to manual ones. "Because electric brushes have a rotation, they essentially force the toothpaste in more difficult-to-reach areas, which is where cavities start," says Dr. Creaven.
Studies show that electric toothbrushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth than manual toothbrushes do, which can help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Electric toothbrushes may be more expensive than their manual counterparts, but studies show they are more effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. A 2012 review found plaque has reduced an average of 42% with manual brushing.
Electric Toothbrushes Are Better for Cleaning Teeth
Research has shown that those who use electric toothbrushes in general have better results for cleaning their teeth. While the difference isn't massive, it does mean that electric toothbrushes have the edge when it comes to maintaining great oral health.
Some people find that their teeth or gums become overly sensitive when they start to use an electric toothbrush. To avoid excess sensitivity, hold the brush very gently against your teeth and use a toothbrush head designed for sensitive teeth.
Gum recession can't be reversed, but treatment can prevent it from getting worse.
I discovered that some electric toothbrushes can cause micro-cracks in your teeth. And over time it can gradually become bigger cracks, making the bond between your filling and tooth separate.
You may be surprised to find that you aren't brushing your teeth for long enough. One of the most common reasons why teeth don't feel clean after being brushed is because the process was rushed. You should be brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes every time.
Most dentists will recommend a soft bristle toothbrush as it is the most comfortable and safest option. Depending on how vigorously you brush, softer bristles are easier on the gums, whereas hard bristle brushes can actually damage the gums, root surface and tooth enamel.
At the end of three months, the group using an electric toothbrush showed 20 percent better plaque removal and 11 percent less gingivitis than the group using the manual toothbrush. In studies that ran six months and longer, the benefits of the electric toothbrush were even more pronounced.
Abrasion – Dental abrasion occurs when something outside of the body wears away tooth enamel. This can happen when you brush too hard or too often. Teeth may appear worn, shiny, or have yellow or brown spots near the gums. Sensitivity – Overbrushing can also cause tooth sensitivity.
A 2017 study published in the journal PLOS One found that electric toothbrushes were more likely than manual to abrade dentin—the tissue directly below the tooth's enamel, which can become exposed when enamel wears away or gums recede. Abrasions to the dentin increase tooth sensitivity and can hike cavity risks.
How Often Should You Replace an Electric Toothbrush? As stated above, you should replace your electric toothbrush every three to five years, depending on your use. However, the brush comes with removable parts, for instance, the electric toothbrush head. Brushes generally last 3-6 months, but some can go longer.
A water flosser can help remove food particles between teeth. It also can remove plaque from teeth. If you use standard dental floss, and you don't have bleeding or other problems, there's no need to change.
While it may be surprising, a study has found that flossing first followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is more effective in removing interdental plaque than brushing first, flossing second. In addition, flossing before brushing results in greater fluoride retention between teeth.
You can use any fluoride toothpaste with an electric toothbrush. Whatever type of goal you have for your oral health, you can find a toothpaste to help you get there along with your electric toothbrush.