Decoding the Electric Toothbrush

When electric toothbrushes were first introduced in the U.S. in 1960s, they turned out to be effective when properly used. A little bit of trivia: A company called Squibb marketed it under the name Broxodent. Today, there are different brands available with great features – rechargeable batteries, compact designs, and bristles built for optimal cleaning, just to name a few.

There are two main types of power toothbrushes: electric and sonic. Electric toothbrushes are powered to replicate the motion of your hand. It does the muscle work for you by rotating up to 3,000 to 7,500 motions a minute. The bristles on these toothbrushes either rotate or move back and forth to help remove plaque and reduce gingivitis.

On the other hand, sonic toothbrushes offer 30,000 to 40,000 strokes per minute. They rotate in a back and forth vibrating motion. The rapid motion is their claim to fame. But ultimately, it also aims to remove plaque and keep teeth and gums healthy and clean.

In comparison with the old-fashioned way of brushing your teeth, you can produce about 300 strokes per minute if you brush properly. So within the two-minute recommended brushing time, your teeth are hit with 600 strokes.

If you’re wondering whether it’s better to use a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, here are some fast facts about why electric toothbrushes may be the better choice for your smile from your Chandler dentist:

• Electric Toothbrushes are Ideal if You Have Trouble Brushing with a Manual Toothbrush – If you suffer from arthritis, MS or any other disease that makes brushing with a manual toothbrush difficult, an electric toothbrush can help you keep your smile happy and healthy. Though some electric toothbrushes can be on the heavier side, battery-powered electric toothbrushes are comparably the same weight as a manual toothbrush.
• Electric Toothbrushes Can Reach in Harder to Clean Places – Electric toothbrushes have a smaller, rotating (oscillating) head that can be easier to manoeuvre around your teeth and gums than the traditional manual toothbrush heads. A better clean means that your smile stays free of plaque and tartar build-up and has less chances of pain, tooth decay and tooth loss.
• Electric Toothbrushes are More Affordable than You Think – Wall-charging electric toothbrushes can be an expensive investment in your oral health care. However, battery-powered electric toothbrushes can cost as little as $5 and can give you a comparable clean to the more expensive electric toothbrushes. Studies have found that electric toothbrushes are just as effective as manual toothbrushes – and in some cases, more effective at removing plaque.

For a beautiful, healthy smile, brush your teeth at least twice daily for two minutes, floss at least once a day and visit your Chandler dentist at least every six months.