Have you been told by your dentist that you are not doing a great job brushing your teeth, and have been recommended to use an electric toothbrush? You may be wondering if this type of toothbrush is really better for your teeth. Here are a few things to consider before you buy one.

Toothbrushes Are Only As Good As You Use Them

It's important to understand that an electric toothbrush is not going to be the solution to all your oral health problems. That's because toothbrushes are only as good as you use them. If you are not brushing two times a day, using an electric toothbrush isn't going to make up for those missed cleaning sessions. If you are not using the electric toothbrush in the proper way by overlapping the brush with the gums, you are not going to get out the plaque that is under your gum line. 

Start by understanding how you are not using your toothbrush properly, and then make sure you're using the right technique. Your manual toothbrush may be what you need to get the job done, and you were using it wrong from the start.

Electric Toothbrushes Have Reminders 

Maybe you're not brushing correctly because you don't have a good concept of how long two minutes is, and you end up brushing way less than you should. Electric toothbrushes have built-in timers that will help you remember to brush for the entire two minutes. This also includes reminders to switch between the different quadrants of your mouth so that you brush each area for 30 seconds. If you find yourself not flipping your bubble timer on the bathroom counter, then maybe an electric toothbrush is worth it for the reminders. 

An electric toothbrush can also provide reminders for when you should change the toothbrush. The ADA recommends that you get a new toothbrush every 3-4 months, when you may be going much longer in between brushes. The recommendation is not there to sell you more toothbrushes, but because of how the bristles become frayed or matted from daily use. 

Electric Toothbrushes Can Improve Gum Health

Has your dentist told you that your gums are receding because you are brushing too hard? This is a problem that can actually be solved by using an electric toothbrush. Some models have pressure sensors that will alert you when too much pressure is being put on the brush head. The electric toothbrush can actually train you how to ease up on the pressure you are using so that you do not cause damage to your gums. 

For more info, contact a local dentist.