It’s possible to get good oral hygiene with both regular and electric toothbrushes. Both types of toothbrushes have benefits, so either one may be right for you.
Benefits of a Regular Toothbrush
A regular toothbrush has many benefits to recommend it, including:
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Inexpensive
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Require no electricity
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Convenient for travel
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Often more comfortable to hold
These benefits make it the best place to start with your toothbrush. As long as you have a good brushing technique and spend an appropriate amount of time brushing your teeth, there’s no need to move to an electric toothbrush.
Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush also offers some good advantages:
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Rotating head can achieve effective circular cleaning motion
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Smaller head may give better access
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Timer encourages you to brush for recommended time
These benefits may make an electric toothbrush more effective for many people.
When to Switch Brushes
You should always be making your regular dental visits. When your dentist looks in your mouth, he or she can see how good a job you are doing to clean your teeth. If you aren’t doing well, your dentist may recommend that you try harder to brush for the recommended length of time (minimum of 2 minutes). However, your dentist may recommend that you move to an electric toothbrush if poor cleaning is caused by:
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Arthritis
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Hand injury or disease
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Strong handedness (left or right-handed) that keeps you from brushing properly on both sides
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Uneven or crooked teeth that may be hard to access with manual brush
When your dentist recommends that you switch to an electric brush, you may save yourself significant cost in dental treatment by investing in an electric brush. Better cleaning can reduce your risk for periodontal disease and tooth decay.
To learn more about the best hygiene practices for you and schedule a regular dental appointment, please contact Ascent Dental in the Cherry Creek area of Denver, CO.