Why You Need an Electric Toothbrush

As a general rule, dentists typically advise you to brush twice a day to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. Brushing twice a day is the bare minimum of maintaining good oral health, however. You also need to choose the right toothbrush. When it comes to doing just that, an electric toothbrush may well be a great move for your oral health. Investing in a quality electric toothbrush is one great way to go the extra mile in giving your teeth the TLC they deserve. 

Benefits of Electric Toothbrushes

For some, there is an ongoing debate over the merits of electric toothbrushes versus manual toothbrushes. The bottom line is that getting yourself an electric toothbrush is a prudent choice if you’re one to take oral health seriously. Electric toothbrushes offer you a more thorough cleaning each time you brush, eliminating more plaque and germs for a cleaner mouth. Here’s a list of some of the other ways an electric toothbrush is a great tool for taking your brushing to the next level. 

1. More Effective Plaque Removal
   
   Your regular manual toothbrush already does an adequate job keeping your teeth clean, especially if you make a habit of regular brushing and flossing. However, electric toothbrushes can do the job far more thoroughly. Electric toothbrushes do the job by oscillating more frequently, brushing faster than most people can with a manual toothbrush. The design also enables them to reach hard-to-reach areas that a manual toothbrush might not be able to reach. These areas are where plaque tends to build up, so a toothbrush that targets them is a major step toward a cleaner mouth overall.
   
   That ability to reach hard-to-reach areas is particularly vital for orthodontic patients. Braces often have plenty of small spaces that can prove difficult to clean. Many electric toothbrushes designed for braces feature vibrating heads more adept at reaching those areas. These toothbrushes may be just what you need to keep the teeth clean while you undergo your orthodontic treatment. Take care to use a brush with a small head to reach between the brackets.

2. Improved Oral Health
   
   One advantage of a cleaner mouth is that it’s a great way to boost your oral health. Less plaque in your mouth is great for keeping your teeth safe and cavity-free. The more care you give your teeth, the healthier they stay over the years, reducing the risk of tooth loss and other complications.
   
   Electric toothbrushes are also great for your gums. Most people tend to think of their teeth first when it comes to oral health, but your gums are a vital element of a healthy mouth too. Having plenty of plaque and bacteria in the mouth heavily contributes to gum disease, which can cause quite a number of health complications. With the help of an electric toothbrush, you can go the extra mile to keep your teeth and gums clean. It’s especially important that electric toothbrushes can reach hard-to-reach areas; those areas are a major contributor to complications with teeth and gums.

3. Greater Ease of Use
   
   One advantage of electric toothbrushes is that they do much of the work for you. This makes an electric toothbrush a more convenient option for patients with dexterity issues (like arthritis), who might experience more difficulty trying to brush the back teeth properly. Unlike a manual toothbrush (where you have to do the brushing yourself), with an electric toothbrush you only have to guide the toothbrush over your teeth. Having the toothbrush do much of the work saves you the trouble of brushing on your own. Many electric toothbrushes also feature large grips, making it easier to keep a firm hold on it while brushing.
   
   These qualities also make electric toothbrushes a prudent choice for children. Most kids lack the dexterity to brush properly right away, so a toothbrush that brushes for them can be an excellent aid in helping them keep their teeth clean. They’re also a great way to teach kids independence and confidence while brushing, enabling them to pick up the habit at a young age. Many child-oriented electric toothbrushes also have appealing functions like bright lights and music-playing to make brushing a more fun experience for the little ones.

4. Prevents Brushing Too Hard
   
   A common brushing mistake many patients make is brushing too hard in an attempt to clean more thoroughly. Using too much force when brushing often puts strain on teeth and gums, which can cause complications. In contrast, electric toothbrushes are designed to avoid putting excessive strain on teeth and gums while brushing. By maintaining a consistent pressure, an electric toothbrush takes applying pressure out of your hands. Instead, your only job is to guide the toothbrush while it does the motions of cleaning for you.
   
   The trick to using an electric toothbrush is to guide it from tooth to tooth. A good rule of thumb is to let the toothbrush rest on each tooth for about 10 seconds then slowly move it to the next. This way, it’s much easier to preserve your enamel and gums, keeping the mouth consistently healthy. Give investing in an electric toothbrush some thought to take the guesswork out of brushing your teeth.

5. Convenient Built-in Features
   
   One of the reasons electric toothbrushes are so effective is due to the features they come with. Oscillating or vibrating heads are particularly effective at cleaning your teeth, but they also boast other useful technologies to improve the quality of your brushing.
   
   Many electric toothbrushes are built with timers to ensure you’re brushing your teeth long enough. Dentists usually advise you to brush for at least 2 minutes to get all the plaque. However, many patients usually stop before 2 minutes are up. With a timer, you know you’re meant to keep brushing until the timer goes off, ensuring you spend enough time brushing each session. Some models also include other features like pressure sensors, different brushing modes for different tasks, and ultrasonic technology to break up hard plaque.

6. Increased Eco-friendliness
   
   A toothbrush typically has a lifespan of 3 months. After that, it’s time to get a new toothbrush to make sure you’re cleaning your teeth thoroughly and safely. However, with a manual toothbrush, your only recourse is to throw the whole brush away. With an electric toothbrush, the only part that needs replacing every so often is the head.
   
   It may not sound like much, but it makes a significant difference over time. Using an electric toothbrush is just one way you can do your part and adjust your lifestyle to be a little more eco-friendly. As an added bonus, many models are compatible with eco-friendly electric toothbrush heads to give you a head-start on going green.

Electric toothbrushes are a great aid when it comes to keeping your teeth clean. Not only do they make the actual brushing easier, but they also come with a great many features that help you do a better job. 

Signs of Dental Issues

Regular brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent oral health issues, along with regular dental checkups and a healthy diet. However, dental issues may crop up in spite of your precautions. With that in mind, it pays to watch out for the warning signs to let you know if a problem emerges. Take note of these common symptoms of dental problems to give yourself some warning and take the right steps before they get worse. 

1. Bad breath
   
   Bad breath is an embarrassing condition, but it may go deeper than that. Bad breath may be an indicator of more serious issues going on in your mouth, like gum disease, tooth decay, or oral cancer. Using mouthwash is effective at masking the odour, but to get to the heart of the problem, it’s best to visit the dentist. Schedule a visit to rule out any issues and give yourself some peace of mind.
2. Toothaches
   
   Tooth pain is one of the most common signs that something’s wrong with your teeth. It may be an indicator of cavities or tooth decay, but it may also mean that you’ve developed an abscess (a more serious problem). Visit your dentist ASAP to get the issue looked at. Rinse your mouth with warm water and maybe take an over-the-counter painkiller to keep the pain under control until then.
3. Tooth sensitivity
   
   Tooth sensitivity is another common tooth ailment that may mean more than it does at first glance. Whenever you experience pain or discomfort from exposing your teeth to sweets, air, hot drinks, or cold food, you may be dealing with an issue. Sensitivity may be caused by worn enamel, cavities, or fractured teeth, so it’s vital you visit a dentist immediately to get the issue diagnosed. In some cases, the sensitivity may be severe enough to affect you even brushing or flossing. Your dentist may also be able to offer some advice on products or techniques to minimize the discomfort as you brush. 

Brushing and flossing are vital to your oral health, but so is visiting the dentist regularly. Contact Simcoe Smile Dental at (289) 312-1482 for a patient-oriented Oshawa dental clinic to help you stay on top of your oral health.