Do you know about Electric Toothbrush? Cleaning the oral cavity is the most important daily ritual of every person. Not only the aesthetics of a smile but also the well-being of the whole organism depends on her health. Maintaining the excellent condition of dental units and soft tissues is much easier if you use modern devices powered by power sources rather than mechanically treating the surfaces. Consider how to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush properly, what its advantages are, when it is contraindicated to use the device, and how to increase the effectiveness of the hygiene procedure.
The mechanism of action of the electric brush
They differ significantly from manual models since they are powered by batteries or accumulators, that is, they have a power source. A small motor or generator (if we are talking about sound and ultrasonic gadgets) generates energy, due to which it turns the head and moves the bristles in a given direction.
About 8 thousand rotational manipulations and 20 thousand pulsations are performed per minute. This feature allows you to quickly and efficiently clean hard and soft tissues from plaque and food particles.
An electric appliance improves the effectiveness of the toothpaste. During the operation of the head, the resulting foam penetrates hard-to-reach areas and removes pathogenic microflora and food particles. Thus, the device shows much greater effectiveness than the manual.
Benefits of brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush
Modern devices have a lot of advantages. Dentists of the clinic “Dentika” distinguish the most important of them:
- Effective cleaning of the entire surface. Nozzles are made in such a way as to completely cover one or more dental units. Pollution is removed not only from the crown part but also in the spaces between the teeth, in the areas of their joints with soft tissues, and the interdental spaces.
- 2 times greater cleaning efficiency compared to mechanical models. Studies have shown that mild plaque and food debris are removed much faster. If you perform all the manipulations manually, it is very difficult to regulate the intensity of movements, the force of pressure, and the time of the procedure. This negatively affects the quality of cleaning. The electric brush saves the user from such problems, it is enough just to move it from one dental unit to another. The head rotates in such a way that it is possible to clean the most hard-to-reach areas without additional effort. Our dentists confirm that after the transition from classical to electronic accessories, patients significantly improve the condition of the oral cavity.
- Additional motivation for regular care. Brushing your teeth is boring, the same actions repeated every time entail an irresistible desire to finish brushing faster. Modern gadgets look aesthetically pleasing, have rich functionality (for example, they are controlled using a smartphone), and show amazing results. This is especially important for the youngest patients, who are too lazy to brush their teeth again because of the boring process.
- Time control. It takes about 2-3 minutes to brush your teeth. If you do it less, there will not be a positive effect. The electrical device allows you to adjust the time spent on the procedure using the built-in timer and intermittent operation.
Contraindications for use
Dentiki experts advise periodically alternating the use of electric brushes with mechanical accessories. This is due to the high risk of complications in people with weak enamel, insufficiently saturated with minerals. Also, alternation allows you to save a deeper dentin layer, prevent the cracking of hard tissues and increase sensitivity.
There is a list of contraindications, in the presence of which brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush is not recommended:
- Inflammatory processes of the gums. These include gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease, periodontitis, and so on. If you continue to use the device, the inflammation may increase.
- The low density of tooth enamel leads to its increased abrasion. The action of the gadget will only speed up this process.
- The presence of carious lesions.
- Pathologies of a non-carious nature (fluorosis, hypoplasia of the enamel layer, hyperesthesia, wedge-shaped defect, and so on). The affected areas have an extremely low level of mineralization. They are erased and destroyed, so they cannot be further affected. You can use the electric brush only after remineralizing therapy (fluoridation) and the approval of the attending physician.
There are certain restrictions for prostheses, implants, veneers, crowns, and fillings. After prosthetics, you should not use an ultrasonic device, because it significantly reduces the life of orthodontic structures and can mechanically damage the material.
Pregnancy is not an obstacle to cleaning with an electric brush, however, hygiene procedures, in this case, should be carried out very carefully. The same goes for people with cardiovascular disease.
To use the gadget or not in a particular case, you need to decide together with the dentist. Dentiki doctors can assess the condition of the oral cavity and give recommendations on hygiene.
The Complete Guide to Dental Care and How to Improve Oral Health
Care and Storage
Caring for the accessory is very simple, even despite the extended functionality of the most modern models. Upon completion of hygiene procedures, wash the nozzle under the tap from the remnants of plaque and paste. About once a week it is recommended to treat the bristles with an antiseptic solution to remove pathogenic bacteria that accumulate there. The handle is also subject to periodic processing. It is enough to wipe it with a cloth impregnated with an antibacterial composition.
Some tips have a wear indicator. The need for replacement is signalled by bristles that lose their color. It is necessary to change the removable element at the same frequency as manual brushes. This should be done at least every 3 months. In some cases (for example, when the pile is deformed, past infections, and so on), it is necessary to replace it much more often.
Store the accessory vertically in a well-ventilated place. No cases or covers need to be used, they are only suitable for transportation. After washing, the nozzles should be dried well, since the humid environment is ideal for the propagation of pathogens.
If the apartment or house has a combined bathroom, it is advisable to put the brush in a cabinet. The fact is that when flushing the toilet, bacteria and the smallest particles of human waste products rise into the air, which subsequently settles on the bristles and enter the body.
How to brush your teeth with an electric brush: instructions for use
Despite the automatic operation of the device, it is important to familiarize yourself with the cleaning technique beforehand. If this is done correctly, the dentition will be healthy and beautiful.
brush charge
The accessory must be periodically charged, only in this way, it will work effectively. A few helpful tips:
- Batteries are changed when power is lost.
- The device is located at a close distance and accessible to users. However, it is important to prevent it from falling along with the base at the time of connection to the mains.
- It is better to stock up on batteries in advance. It is impossible to predict when they will land. Replacement takes less than a minute.
- Gadgets with batteries should also be charged before use.
- The duration of a full charge from scratch is individual for each model, on average it takes about 12 hours. Some devices can be kept on the base permanently.
- Usually, you have to charge the electric brush with regular use about once a week.
Preparation for the procedure
Before using the appliance, the bristles should be lightly moistened under running water. A small pea of toothpaste is squeezed out from above. If too much is squeezed out, an excess amount of foam is formed, which prevents a good cleaning.
Dentiki dentists note that when buying a paste, it is better to give preference to a product with an abrasive index of 40 to 50 units. Such compositions are the safest for enamel, taking into account the intensity of the gadget.
Brush position and pressure
The accessory is located horizontally (if external and internal surfaces are processed, mainly chewing) or vertically (when it is necessary to clean the front incisors). The bristles are initially placed at the right angle to clean hard and soft tissues well.
Don’t press too hard on the head. Otherwise, the enamel may be damaged. Even if the device is not very powerful, it makes enough revolutions to qualitatively remove plaque and food debris. Modern models have built-in sensors that regulate the degree of pressure.
Cleaning the outside
First, the outside is cleaned. In this case, it does not matter which row to start with – from the top or bottom. The tool is brought to the surface until it touches and is held at a slight inclination. Each tooth should be given a few seconds. Chewing units deserve special attention.
Cleaning the inside
After external processing, you should proceed to cleanse inside. It is necessary to gradually move along the dentition, paying attention to each segment. The anterior incisors are cleaned vertically.
chewing teeth
They require a special approach since they are more susceptible to the development of pathological processes. Helpful Hints:
- Clean molars from all sides;
- Press the head with little effort when processing interdental spaces;
- Floss regularly after meals.
gum cleaning
How to use an electric toothbrush correctly:
- Gingival tissues are cleaned after turning off the electric brush.
- For this, you should choose separate nozzles designed for massage and delicate plaque removal.
- In addition to the gums, it is necessary to treat the tongue, palate, and the inside of the cheeks.
- All actions are performed with care to prevent mechanical damage.
After all the manipulations, it is necessary to rinse the oral cavity. You can use a special conditioner for this.
Cleaning nozzles after use
It is necessary to properly care for the device, namely:
- Wash the head under running water after use;
- Periodically disinfect the part;
- Dry upright.
How to use an electric toothbrush for children
You can start accustoming a child to a hygiene procedure using a “smart” device after the age of three. However, this does not mean at all that from this moment on, a small person should independently perform all the manipulations and monitor the health of the oral cavity. Parents should control the entire process until at least 7 years old, guiding the accessory and not letting go of it until the end of cleaning. Children should learn how to properly rinse their mouths and spit out the paste.
The technique of working with an electrical appliance is no different. The only difference is that the mother and father help the child. You need to take a comfortable position for both: you can put your son or daughter on your knees, stand behind the mirror, or take another comfortable position.
In the absence of a built-in timer that signals the end of a two-minute brush, a dedicated smartphone app can be used to keep kids engaged and motivated to take care of their oral cavity. For example, some of them gradually open images of famous cartoon characters.
How to increase cleaning efficiency
The procedure should be not only effective but also safe. Useful recommendations on how to use an electric toothbrush so that the result exceeds all expectations:
- Do not use the accessory without paste and other hygiene products. After meals, particles of food get stuck in the interdental spaces, which cannot be removed with one pile without cleaning compounds. Bacteria that cause dental diseases will begin to multiply between the teeth. In addition, do not give up dental floss, rinse aid, and irrigator. They complement daily cleaning and make it more effective.
- Purchase suitable nozzles and pastes. All this is selected on an individual basis for each specific case individually. For example, with increased sensitivity of the teeth, hard bristles, and a highly abrasive agent will not work. You should be careful when buying brush heads with a whitening function. The choice is best left to the dentist.
- It is necessary to adhere to the recommended brushing time, does not exceed or shorten the timing. How much you need to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush of a specific model is laid down by the program. If you devote too little time to hygiene and do it irregularly, there will be no positive effect. Frequent and prolonged manipulations do not improve the efficiency of hard tissue treatment, but lead to the destruction of the enamel layer and increase its susceptibility to external influences.
- Change nozzles periodically. As a general rule, this should be done at least once every 3 months. If you use it for a long time, colonies of pathogenic bacteria accumulate on the bristles, leading to the development of diseases in the oral cavity. Long-term use of the nozzles entails a strong deformation of the bristles. Incorrectly located hairs touch and injure soft tissues and do not clean the interdental spaces in the standard position of the accessory.
- Maintain your electric brush regularly. It is necessary to wash the head thoroughly after each use, otherwise, the paste and plaque particles will remain on it. This is the most favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
FAQ about Electric Toothbrush
Before using an electric toothbrush, it is necessary to study its functionality. Some models are so advanced that they may surprise users who are used to mechanical accessories without the ability to remotely control and signal the end of cleaning various areas. Let’s deal with popular questions about modern hygiene devices.
What to do if the brush stops working
Most electrical appliances are programmed to stop briefly every 30 seconds. This does not indicate a problem but signals the need to proceed to the processing of the next zone. This function helps to regulate the optimal time spent on the hygiene procedure.
The jaws must be mentally divided into 4 zones. Each of them should be cleaned for about half a minute, which will be signalled by the electrical device.
Gadget charging
Immediately after purchase, the brush must be put on the base and wait until the battery is fully charged. How long this will take should be indicated in the instructions for use of a particular device. Charging speed depends on the battery capacity and other specifications of the accessory.
Modern electric brushes have charge indicators, thanks to which users can see when it is time to charge the battery. If the device has a nickel-metal hydride battery, you should place the item on the base only after it is completely discharged. When it comes to lithium-ion batteries, charging is allowed at any convenient time.
During charging, the gadget must be placed vertically. It is advisable to connect the base directly, avoiding intermediate devices like a power bank, because this is not only inefficient but also dangerous in some cases.
Smartphone control
Modern models can be synchronized with a mobile phone or tablet using special applications in which you need to create accounts. Devices communicate via wireless networks.
Functionality differs depending on the manufacturer. Some gadgets are able not only to save statistical data and analyze them but also to determine the style and quality of cleaning of hard and soft tissues and give personalized recommendations.
Modern accessories for hygienic care of the oral cavity greatly facilitate a person’s life and help prevent dental diseases due to the high cleaning efficiency. Before using the gadget, you must carefully read the recommendations on properly using an electronic toothbrush for brushing your teeth.