Once considered something of a luxury, electric toothbrushes are now the standard in many bathrooms. In 2022, the European electric toothbrush market was worth more than €902 million. If you’re stuck in your ways, you might be happy enough to trudge along with your manual toothbrush. With proper technique, manual brushing can keep plaque and cavities at bay. However, there’s a reason why the likes of Oral B are making a killing in the electric toothbrush sector. Need a little nudge to put down that manual brush for good? Read on for a breakdown of why you should be considering going all-electric.
Are You Brushing For Long Enough?
Most dentists agree that you should be brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. However, when you’re using a manual brush, it’s easy to lose track of time. Maybe you’ve got into the habit of setting a countdown timer on your phone or humming through the lyrics of your favourite song. Neither of these methods is particularly practical. Electric models like the Oral B PRO 3 3500 are on hand to make your life easier. Thanks to built-in timers, you’ll know you’re brushing for as long as you need to.
You Won’t Damage Delicate Gums
It’s tempting to overdo it when brushing manually. Have you ever reached the end of a vigorous brushing session, only to find your gums are bleeding and inflamed? While those heavy-handed strokes might seem like they’re keeping your teeth clean, you’re actually causing more harm than good. Aggressive brushing can cause damage to delicate tooth enamel. Over time, you can even cause irreversible damage to your gums. If you already suffer from receding gums and other oral health issues, brushing too hard can exacerbate the problem. With an electric brush, you don’t have to worry about applying too much force when keeping those pearly whites looking their best. The best electric toothbrush models come with sensors which let you know when you’re applying more brushing force than is absolutely necessary.
Electric Toothbrushes Enhance Technique
In theory, it’s possible to keep your teeth healthy and stave off a visit to the dentist through manual brushing. However, this requires advanced techniques and inclined angles to ensure you’re targeting hard-to-reach plaque. With an electric brush, you don’t need to worry about perfecting difficult techniques. Those oscillating heads do all of the hard work for you, while also making it simple to remove stubborn debris and plaque from the gum line before it hardens and turns to tartar.
They’re Great for All Ages
If you’re a parent, you’ve probably spent more than your fair share of mornings standing over the shoulders of little ones to ensure they’re brushing properly. When you become an electric-only household, you get peace of mind that those growing canines and maturing molars are getting the care and attention they need. However, it’s not just younger users who can benefit from electric brushing. For older individuals with dexterity issues, electric toothbrushes take the strain out of tackling those hard-to-reach teeth.