Electric Toothbrushes
Good dental hygiene is crucial, and one of the most important parts of oral care is brushing your teeth. An electric toothbrush is a great replacement for a manual toothbrush as it provides an effective solution for cleaning and even whitening your teeth. An electric toothbrush is also a great way to encourage good brushing habits and make it easier to clean those hard-to-reach spots.
What are the different types of electric toothbrushes?
Various toothbrushes function differently from one another based on how each toothbrush moves during operation. Each of these types has its benefits, including reducing plaque and improving gum care.
- Rotating: Rotating toothbrushes have bristles arranged in a circular shape, and the brush head spins in a circle. However, these heads cannot switch directions.
- Oscillating: An oscillating toothbrush is similar to a rotating brush, but oscillating brushes rotate in one direction then switch and go the other way to clean teeth effectively. Many of Oral-B's toothbrushes utilize this functionality.
- Counter-Oscillating: These brushes combine rotating and oscillating brushes by utilizing two different sets of bristles, which each rotate in a separate direction to improve plaque removal. These sets also oscillate and reverse directions after each turn.
- Pulsing: Pulsing toothbrushes move forward and backward in addition to rotating or oscillating, helping to dislodge additional plaque.
- Side to Side: This style toothbrush works by sliding side to side across and against teeth instead of rotating. Philips Sonicare is known to produce this style of toothbrush.
- Sonic and Ultrasonic: A sonic toothbrush vibrates at high speeds, creating tiny bubbles between the bristles and each tooth, increasing the ability for plaque removal. Philips Sonicare produces these brushes.
What features are available for an electric toothbrush?
- Timer: Many toothbrushes come with integrated timers to help ensure a full two minutes of use. Some will shut off after two minutes while others may vibrate every 30 seconds to encourage uniform cleaning habits.
- Long-Lasting Battery: Having a rechargeable toothbrush can be nice, and it is ideal for having maximized usage time between charges. Some toothbrushes last for six weeks or more while others will need to be recharged after one week.
- Brush Head Compatibility: There are many different types of brush heads that focus on specific personal care needs, including whitening, flossing, braces, or tooth sensitivity. Having a toothbrush that is compatible with a variety of brush heads allows for flexibility when selecting replacement heads.
- Pressure Sensor: Pushing too hard while brushing can cause oral damage, so some brushes will beep or vibrate to notify you if you are pushing too hard.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Oral-B has incorporated Bluetooth into their Oral-B SmartSeries brushes, allowing you to receive instant feedback about oral care habits to improve oral hygiene.
How often do you have to replace an electric toothbrush?
The handle of an electric toothbrush generally lasts through many toothbrush heads. Since it is rechargeable, it does not need battery replacements and should continue to function smoothly. Brush attachments, on the other hand, need to be replaced when they become worn as they cannot clean effectively at this point. The timing may vary based on certain habits as well brush materials and quality.