Ask any dentist and they’ll tell you the same – the electric toothbrush is the future of brushing in general.
Over recent years in particular, more dentists than ever before have been urging their patients to make the switch from manual brushes to a high-quality electric toothbrush. Nevertheless, research would seem to suggest that the vast majority of people still tackle their oral health and hygiene requirements with manual brushes.
But why is this the case? If electric toothbrushes are readily available and recommended by dentists, why are so many people so reluctant to make the switch?
The answer could lie in one (or more) of several common misconceptions. Ask a group of individuals who haven’t yet made the switch why they still use a manual brush and you’re likely to hear the same responses from most.
Five examples of which you’ll find outlined in a little more detail below:
1. Quality Brushes Cost Too Much
First up, it’s often simply assumed that a dentist-recommended electric toothbrushmustbe an expensive piece of kit. That if you want an electric toothbrush that is capable of getting the job done, you’ll need to spend a fair amount of money on it. In reality however, this simply isn’t the case at all.
In years gone by, the very best electric toothbrushes on the market were indeed expensive commodities. Even now, it’s perfectly possible to spend a small fortune on an electric toothbrush, should you wish to do so. Nevertheless, it isn’t necessary to spend a great deal at all to take home a quality device. In fact, no more than £20 or so should be more than sufficient to buy a quality electric toothbrush, carrying the recommendation of dentists. You can spend more if you want something more sophisticated, but it really isn’t necessary.
2. There’s No Real Benefit
Another common reason for sticking with the manual approach is the incorrect assumption that there’s no real benefit to electric. Quite a lot of people assume that while an electric toothbrush may be fast and easy to use, it doesn’t actually improve on the cleaning capabilities of a manual brush. Hence, in order to avoid the hassle and expense of shopping for an electric toothbrush, they stick it out with a manual brush.
Once again, it’s important to take into account the recommendations, advice and indeed the habits of dentists themselves. For one thing, dentists comprehensively recommend electric toothbrushes for their patients. The reason being that clinical trials have shown time and time again just how much more effective electric can be. Plus the fact that dentists use electric toothbrushes themselves – both at home and in their practices – says all that needs to be said about their effectiveness. A good electric toothbrush can remove up to 100% more plaque than a comparable manual brush.
3. Electric Is Too Abrasive
It’s no secret these days that brushing your teeth too aggressively isn’t a good idea. Slowly but surely, people are coming around to the fact that harder isn’t necessarily better. In fact, brushing too aggressively or abrasively can do more harm than good. Precisely why many simply assume that a powerful electric toothbrush with a superfast rotating head only stands to damage their teeth and gums.
Truth is, there once was a time when electric toothbrushes had to be both approached and handled with care. Even today, there are plenty of substandard toothbrushes on the market that aren’t exactly gentle. Nevertheless, the better brushes on sale – those recommended by dentists – are specifically designed to make it impossibleto apply too much pressure. Or at least, provide a warning to let the user know if and when they are getting carried away. Even for those with the most sensitive teeth and longstanding oral health issues, a quality electric toothbrush can be far gentler and more effective than a traditional brush.
4. They’re Hard to Use
It’s also commonly assumed that a technologically advanced electric toothbrush is likely to prove complex and awkward to use. Particularly for those with no prior experience of such devices, making the switch seems unnecessary and only stands to complicate things. The truth of the matter being quite the opposite – electric toothbrushes are designed to simplifyevery aspect of brushing.
Of course, those who like playing with the latest gadgets can choose to buy cutting-edge Bluetooth electric toothbrushes, complete with all the complex features and functions in the world. At the opposite end of the scale, simple electric toothbrushes are as easy to operate as pressing a single bottom and letting the motor take care of the rest. There are even specially designed brushes available for those who may have trouble gripping and generally using a more traditional brush.
5. Manual Is Best for Kids
Last but not least, parents of course only want what’s best for their kids. In terms of oral health and hygiene, it’s commonly assumed that a manual toothbrush represents the best option for a younger user. An assumption that may be true up to a certain age, but doesn’t apply to kids from the age of three years and up.
As far as the dentists are concerned, kids can begin using an electric toothbrush (under supervision) from the age of three. What’s more, they also strongly recommend getting kids into meticulous oral health and hygiene habits from the earliest possible age. The good news being that with so many creative electric toothbrushes for kids on the market, introducing such a device can be a great way of making kids take an interest in their oral hygiene. Themed brushes and accessories make the whole thing less of a chore and more of a pleasure. If in doubt, speak to your dentist and ask for their recommendations for your kids.
In a nutshell therefore, it’s a relatively simple takeaway. Given that dentists worldwide unanimously supports switching to electric, it’s clearly the way to go. Try a quality electric toothbrush for yourself just once and chances are you’ll never look back!
