You may be wondering whether it makes sense for you to switch to using an electric toothbrush or you should just stick it out with the good old manual toothbrush. Read on and discover some of the pros and cons of electric toothbrushes. Use this information to make an informed decision on whether you should start using these devices, or not.
The Benefits of Electric Toothbrushes
More Thorough Brushing
One of the biggest benefits of electric toothbrushes is that they can brush the surfaces of your teeth more thoroughly and faster than if you were brushing with a manual toothbrush. For example, a person typically makes about 300 strokes each minute while brushing using a manual toothbrush. An electric toothbrush takes brushing to a whole new level because some models can make more than 10,000 strokes each minute. This higher number of strokes ensures that your teeth will be cleaner if you use an electric toothbrush.
Reduced Risk of Serious Health Complications
We asked our friend, Dr. Dennis Laurich, a dentist in Farmington Hills, MI, about the benefits of electric toothbrushes. Dr. Dennis explained that the benefits of using an electric toothbrush go beyond just your oral health. Research has shown that using an electric toothbrush consistently can reduce plaque formation by at least 21 percent. Remember that plaque allows oral bacteria to breed rapidly and eventually leak into your bloodstream, causing serious health complications like stroke and heart disease. Using an electric toothbrush, therefore, reduces the likelihood that you will suffer from those potentially life-threatening conditions whose origins can be traced to oral bacteria.
Reduced Medical Bills
Imagine how you much you would spend if the valves of your heart were compromised by bacteria that has migrated from your mouth after gum disease was left untreated for long. With healthcare as expensive as it is in the U.S., you can be ruined financially if such an emergency finds you without medical insurance. Fortunately, using an electric toothbrush can forestall many of those costly health complications.
Ideal for the Infirm
Another benefit of electric toothbrushes is that they can take the hassle out of brushing for individuals who have various complications, such as arthritis, that prevent them from using their hands effectively. In fact, the experts at Dental One Care routinely advise the elderly and other people who can’t use their hands properly to switch to electric toothbrushes.
Suitable for Individuals with Braces
Electric toothbrushes are a godsend to people who wear orthodontic devices, such as braces. Dentists in Sterling Heights frequently encounter various oral diseases among people who wear braces because the wires of those devices prevent the individuals from brushing and flossing effectively. With an electric toothbrush, you can say bye to improper oral hygiene because the electric toothbrush will reach all those places behind and around the wires of your braces. Consequently, you will be less likely to suffer from the opportunistic oral infections that result from poor brushing.
The Drawbacks of Electric Toothbrushes
High Initial Cost
One of the most glaring drawbacks of electric toothbrushes is that they are quite pricy when compared to manual toothbrushes. For example, while you can easily buy a manual toothbrush for less than a dollar, the least expensive electric toothbrushes may cost a hundred dollars. You also need to budget for the regular electric brush head replacements that will further dent your finances.
They Are Less Portable
It is easy to slip a manual toothbrush into your purse or any other container, but electric toothbrushes are bigger and cannot be transported as easily. This can create serious inconveniences to you if you travel frequently.
They Aren’t Readily Available
Speaking of traveling, it may be hard for you to find electric toothbrush heads that are compatible with the model of electric toothbrush that you own. Similarly, you may not be able to find electric toothbrushes in any convenience store that you walk into when the need to buy one arises, such as when you realize that you forgot to pack your electric toothbrush before you traveled. This lack of easy access to the devices may deter many people from switching to electric toothbrushes.
As you can see, electric toothbrushes have pros and cons that you need to think about carefully before you make the decision to switch to using these devices. Contact Dr. Farhat at Dental One Care for some professional advice on your oral health.
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