Electric toothbrushes are becoming increasingly popular. They’re not just for young people—seniors and children can also use them to clean their teeth. But do you know how to use an electric toothbrush in a way that’s best for your oral health? And what precautions should you take when using one?
Where exactly should you brush your teeth, and should you brush near your gums?
The primary purpose of brushing your teeth is to remove dental plaque and keep your mouth clean. Dental plaque is a bacterial biofilm; if it isn’t removed promptly, you may develop conditions such as cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis. The gingival sulcus is where plaque thrives most. Therefore, the most important part of brushing your teeth is cleaning the gingival sulcus.
The Bass brushing technique, which is currently the most widely recognized by dentists, focuses on rapidly vibrating the bristles at the gum line to remove dental plaque.
When using an electric toothbrush, keep the following points in mind:
1. After each use, users should thoroughly rinse their toothbrushes, shake off as much water as possible, and place them with the bristles facing upward in a glass or in a well-ventilated, sunny spot to allow them to dry and kill germs.
2. If possible, consider purchasing two or three toothbrushes to use on a rotating basis, which will allow more time for each toothbrush to dry. This is especially important for people with gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, rotating toothbrushes helps maintain the elasticity of the bristles.
3. Old toothbrushes with bristles that have splayed or curled and lost their elasticity must be replaced promptly; otherwise, they can be harmful to your teeth and gums. Studies have shown that a new toothbrush head removes 30% more plaque than one that has been used for three months.
4. Because electric toothbrushes feature forced rotation and vibration, the force they exert is much greater than that of a regular toothbrush. Therefore, you should use 60 percent less pressure when brushing with an electric toothbrush than with a regular one to avoid damaging your teeth and gums from excessive force.
5. Another thing to keep in mind when using an electric toothbrush is to apply toothpaste first, then place the toothbrush in your mouth and press the power button to start brushing. This will prevent toothpaste from splashing on you.
