4 electric toothbrush mistakes you should avoid to get a whiter smile

Brushing your teeth may seem like a mindless activity during which you can daydream or scroll through your phone, but not paying attention to what you’re doing can affect your dental health. Compared to a manual toothbrush, many assume that they simply need to turn the toothbrush on Electric toothbrush on their teeth and call it a day. But if you use it incorrectly, it can hurt your teeth instead of helping them.

Even if you are a long-time electric toothbrush user, it is always a good idea to refresh your memory on how to use an electric toothbrush properly.

The correct way to use an electric toothbrush

Are you ready to switch to a powered toothbrush? Or are you ready to learn how to use your device properly? Fortunately, using one of these brushes is relatively simple and requires no more effort than using a manual toothbrush.

1. Charge your toothbrush: Your electric toothbrush should have an indicator that lights up when it’s charging.
2. External surfaces: Hold your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and start brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth. Hold the rotating brush heads on each tooth for 2 to 5 seconds before moving to the next tooth.
3. Interior surfaces: After cleaning the outer surfaces of your teeth, move to the inner surfaces, holding the rotating brush heads on them for 2 to 5 seconds before moving on to the next tooth.
4. Chewing surfaces: Next, place the brush head on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Hold the brush on each surface for a few seconds before moving on to the next surface.
5. Get gums: It’s not over yet. Run the rotating heads of the electric toothbrush along the gum line and on your gums. This will remove any plaque remaining in your mouth.
6. Clean your tongue: As a final step, gently clean the roof of your mouth and tongue. This is a good way to remove stubborn food particles, and cleaning these areas of your mouth can also help freshen your breath.

Common but harmful mistakes with an electric toothbrush

Although it is easy to use an electric toothbrush, there are still mistakes you should avoid when brushing your teeth. Here are the most common:

1. Not brushing teeth long enough

Don’t rush your brush. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth 2 minutes Twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rushing too soon increases the likelihood that you won’t be able to remove enough plaque from your teeth.

2. Do not replace a worn-out toothbrush head

Do not overuse electric toothbrush heads. The ADA recommends changing these heads every so often 3 to 4 months. If the bristles of these heads are frayed or tangled, replace them immediately, even if you have been using them for less than 3 months.

3. Brush your teeth vigorously

You may be tempted to press too hard when brushing your teeth, but this may harm your teeth and gums. Brushing teeth vigorously It can erode your gums and teeth. This may erode the enamel, making your teeth extremely sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Brushing too hard may also cause receding gums.

4. Using the wrong toothbrush

You can effectively clean your teeth using an electric or manual toothbrush. You will need to use the correct brush. The ADA recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a long handle to reach the back of your mouth.

Want to make sure your toothbrush is up to snuff? Search for ADA Seal of Acceptance. Approved by the American Dental Association, brushes feature a seal on their packaging.

Benefits of an electric toothbrush to consider

There are many advantages to using an electric toothbrush, such as ease of management and effectiveness. Here are some of the most important ones:

An electric toothbrush may be more effective

Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes may prevent tooth decay more efficiently.

In 2014, Cochrane Collaboration It reviewed 56 clinical trials of unsupervised toothbrushing, including more than 5,000 adults and children. Researchers found that individuals who used an electric toothbrush for one to three months saw an 11% reduction in plaque compared to those who used a manual toothbrush for the same period.

Another study that followed adults for 11 years found that participants who used an electric toothbrush had healthier teeth. A 2019 study, conducted by researchers at University of Greifswald in Germany It found that those who used electric toothbrushes had healthier gums and retained 19% more teeth throughout the study period than those who used manual brushes.

A better choice for young children

Children often have difficulty brushing their teeth properly with a manual toothbrush. They may become bored before completing the recommended two minutes of brushing, which may make it easier for plaque to build up on their teeth. An electric toothbrush can help. Because the heads of these brushes rotate in different directions, they provide greater cleaning power and can remove plaque more effectively in less time.

Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers, letting young children know when they have reached the two-minute mark.

More effective at removing plaque if you have braces

Do you have braces? If so, an electric toothbrush may be the best choice for your dental health. Study published in American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that participants who used a manual toothbrush after braces were fitted were more likely to accumulate plaque and increase the risk of gingivitis than those who used an electric toothbrush.

Better at removing plaque in general

Your goal when brushing your teeth is to remove as much plaque as possible. This is because the bacteria in plaque erode the protective enamel of your teeth. Your teeth are more likely to suffer from cavities and you are more likely to suffer from painful cavities if you do not remove this plaque.

Easier to use for some

An electric toothbrush may be easier to use for people with chronic pain or disabilities. This is because the rotating brush heads do most of the cleaning. With a manual toothbrush, you have to do the brushing yourself.