Electric toothbrushes are now more advanced and affordable than ever before. Once you go electric there’s no going back. If you’re still scrubbing away with an old-school toothbrush, it might be time for an upgrade.
Here, we’ll explore the many advantages of an electric toothbrush and some of the ways they can help you get your teeth and gums healthy. Not only are they powerful, but they’re also super simple to use. Electric toothbrushes are an easy win if you’re looking for a brighter, healthier smile. So, upgrade your oral hygiene with our selection of electric toothbrushes.
What are the benefits of electric toothbrushes?
Can a precision engineered high-speed motorised brush that’s capable of thousands of strokes per minute really deliver a more thorough clean than a bleary-eyed, half-asleep you? Yes. Trust us, it really can.
And here are some other ways it can keep your mouth healthy and clean:
Better plaque removal
You don’t have to be a qualified dentist to know that plaque is bad news. Plaque is sticky film that forms naturally, producing acids and bacteria that can rapidly damage your teeth and gums. One of the main reasons we brush our teeth is to remove plaque before it causes tooth decay and gum disease. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get rid of - even if you brush twice a day.
But fear not! One of the best things about using an electric toothbrush is discovering just how good it is at shifting plaque, especially compared to a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes use brush heads that move at high speeds and get to work on breaking up and removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. The brush head action also means that your electric toothbrush can find all the difficult nooks and crannies where any stubborn plaque is hiding. So even if you think your manual toothbrushing technique is on-point, you’ll soon see that electric toothbrush plaque removal gives you a super-thorough clean every time.
Maintain good gum health
Dental hygiene is about more than just shiny, healthy teeth. Don’t forget the less photogenic support actor that holds everything together. Your gums. Are you supposed to brush your gums? Well, electric toothbrushes are designed to remove plaque and bacteria from the gums as well as the teeth, which can help to prevent gum disease and promote healthy gums.
The high-speed oscillating or rotating brush heads of electric toothbrushes are effective for brushing gums to remove plaque and bacteria. They can also help to reduce inflammation and bleeding. Many electric toothbrushes also come with different brush modes that can be adjusted to suit your mouth, including a gentle mode for people with sensitive gums.
Do electric toothbrushes really clean better?
Are electric toothbrushes better than manual toothbrushes? In a word, yes. There’s really no ambiguity here. Scientific studies have found that people who use an electric toothbrush have healthier gums, less tooth decay and keep their teeth for longer.
Sure, an electric toothbrush vs manual may cost a bit more but when you consider that an electric model will last far longer than a standard toothbrush (which should be replaced every 3 months) it makes sense as a cost-effective choice.
How to use an electric toothbrush effectively
If you’re new to using electric toothbrushes, you might wonder how to get the most out of yours. No matter which brush type you choose, you’ll need to point it in the right direction. It can be quite a challenge to get all factors right at the same time. But here’s how to perfect your technique and make your dentist proud:
Angle the brush head to brush teeth at 45-degree angle, with the bristles touching both the surface of your teeth and edge of the gum.
Move from tooth to tooth, holding the brush in place for a few seconds on each one
Let the brush do the work. No need to scrub.
Keep it gentle. Excessive pressure and vigorous brushing can damage the surface of your teeth and cause gum recession.
Once you’ve done the front of your teeth, run your brush along the back of them. Finally, focus on the biting surface of each tooth.
To make sure that all your teeth and gums get an equally thorough clean it helps to imagine your mouth in four sections: top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right. Aim to focus your brushing on each section for 30 seconds. Some brushes have timers that will let you know when it’s time to move on to the next section.
Top features for electric toothbrushes
We’re champions of innovative tech but sometimes you want to get past the jargon and focus on the straightforward features that really make a difference. Here’s a rundown of our top electric toothbrush features:
Replaceable heads
Unlike most manual toothbrushes, which tend to be completely disposable, electric models have replaceable toothbrush heads. Your toothbrush will become less effective when the brush becomes worn and frayed, so it’s a good idea to fit a replacement brush every 3 months.
Lots of models feature indicator bristles that will tell you when it’s time for a new one. Some smart toothbrushes can even remind you via an app on your smartphone.
Timers
How long should you brush your teeth? Two minutes, according to the NHS. And twice a day. Although most of us don’t come close to this. Helpfully, many electric toothbrushes make it easy to ensure you’re hitting that 2-minute mark every time via Bluetooth monitors that can let you know when you’re done. Some offer even more guidance by reminding you to switch areas every 30 seconds. Whilst it might sound like a faff, let’s be real. Your phone is never really far away.
Sonic cleaning
Good vibrations could be the key to cleaner teeth and improved oral hygiene. Sonic toothbrushes use ultrasonic soundwaves to shake away plaque and tartar quickly and efficiently. Philips claims the heads of their Sonicare toothbrushes move up to 62,000 times a minute, generating a high-frequency vibration and whisking fluid into microbubbles that will get into all those hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.
Smart functions
If you really want to give your gnashers the VIP treatment, it might be worth considering the benefits of a smart toothbrush. It will allow you to track your brushing habits, provide personalised feedback to your smartphone via an app, and gradually help you to improve your oral health. A smart or Bluetooth toothbrush does this by capturing and analysing data - such as brush head pressure, brushing coverage, and duration.
The latest top-end models even feature Artificial Intelligence that learns to recognise your brushing style, and smart pressure sensors that warn you if you’re brushing too hard. Check out the super-sophisticated Oral-B Special Edition iO 8 Electric Toothbrush to see how much tech is packed into today’s most advanced smart toothbrushes.
“Oral-B iO 8 is an ideal choice for patients with sensitive teeth. The gentle care replacement head, pressure sensor, sensitive brushing mode, and Oral-B app can lead to a more precise and gentle oral hygiene regimen. As a result, patients will be less likely to develop gum recession and abrasion, which is the most common cause of tooth sensitivity.”
Alicja Chudziak, Dental Hygienist/Therapist
Kids electric toothbrush
Let’s face it, toothbrushing is one of the many everyday tasks that lots of kids find boring. Convincing our reluctant brushers to brush their teeth twice a day can end up being a bit of a battle. You can profess to your hearts content about how important it is to keep their pearly whites clean, but it can often be ignored. Get your kids used to brushing for two minutes from the moment their first teeth appear. And supervise them until the age of seven.
If there’s still a need to make teeth brushing a little more enjoyable, then why not introduce a bit of fun and excitement to the routine with an electric toothbrush?
There are loads of good reasons to get an electric toothbrush for your child. Kids often find the experience more exciting than using a boring old manual toothbrush. Also, some electric toothbrushes have jazzy features and child-friendly functions like timers to help kids manage a thorough brush every time.
You’ll need to get an electric toothbrush for kids, which are smaller than electric toothbrushes for adults and typically brush a bit more gently. There are loads of fun, kid-friendly designs - we recommend letting you child choose their toothbrush (how about a Spiderman or Frozen toothbrush?) so they’re extra-invested. The Oral B Frozen toothbrush includes special stickers, so your kid can customise their brush, and a Disney Magic Timer app that’s designed to make the daily brushing routine more fun and build lasting habits. Check out the latest models from top brands like Oral-B and Philips to find the best toothbrush for kids and toothbrushes for adults.
We’re here to help
With so many features to consider, picking your perfect electric toothbrush isn’t easy. If you could do with a helping hand, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly ShopLive experts.
