Provided that you brush thoroughly and use the proper brushing technique, a regular manual toothbrush can be a great tool for cleaning your teeth.
- Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums.
- Move the brush gently in a circular motion across the teeth.
- Don't forget to brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
If you brush properly by using the technique outlined above, and both you and your dentist are satisfied with your oral health and the condition of your teeth, then you are doing great! No need for any additional tools (other than floss, of course - use this once a day).
However, if you struggle to brush all of your teeth sufficiently with a manual toothbrush, or if you and your dentist feel that your oral hygiene routine could use some help, you might find an electric toothbrush to be a helpful tool.
How can an electric toothbrush help?
Electric toothbrushes that have small, round, rotating heads mimic the ideal brushing motion we should be doing. If possible, avoid electric toothbrush that make a sawing motion.
Electric toothbrushes can make brushing easier because you hardly have to do any work! Simply apply your toothpaste to your electric toothbrush, place it up against your teeth, and turn it on. Then all you have to do is guide it gently around your mouth, over all the surfaces of your teeth.
You don’t need to perform the brushing motion yourself, and this makes it much easier to clean the backs of your front teeth (which can be awkward with a manual toothbrush), and the small round head makes cleaning your back molars and other tight or hard-to-reach areas a little easier, too.
And because the head spins so quickly, electric toothbrushes can do a great job of removing surface stains from your teeth. Some electric toothbrushes even have timers so that you know when your full two minutes are up!
Overall, an electric toothbrush can help you brush more thoroughly, and may even make brushing feel like less of a chore.
Concerns about brushing too hard?
Some people hesitate to try an electric toothbrush because they are concerned it would not be gentle on the enamel of their teeth, or their gums.
However, many electric toothbrush users find that it actually helps them brush more gently, because they don’t have to make the scrubbing motion themselves. Scrubbing tends to make you want to apply pressure, and this is a non-issue with an electric toothbrush, as it performs the motion for you.
If you are very concerned about brushing too hard, many electric toothbrush brands sell heads with soft bristles for sensitive teeth and gums.