Are Electric Toothbrushes Worth It for Gum Health?

The Power of a Good Toothbrush

Maintaining a healthy mouth through regular oral hygiene requires that you brush your teeth; however, choosing which type of toothbrush to use can be overwhelming given all the options (e.g., manual or electronic) as well as what option might benefit your gums best.

We receive quite often the question of "Will using an electric toothbrush be better than my current manual toothbrush for my gums?" We will outline the benefits of using an electric toothbrush compared to a manual toothbrush, we will provide a comparison of the two and ultimately help you make the decision regarding purchasing an electric toothbrush for your oral care needs.

Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual Toothbrush: What’s the Difference?

Let's discuss the differences in electric vs. manual toothbrushes before going over the actual benefits of using an electric toothbrush.

Manual Toothbrushes

Manual toothbrushes are just that – they have no batteries or power source. You must use your own hand and wrist motion to get the job done. When used properly, manual toothbrushes can provide good results. However, they can also make it much harder to clean your teeth, especially for individuals with limited dexterity or difficulty in cleaning all surfaces of their teeth for the full 2 minutes required.

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are powered by batteries and utilize either oscillating (moving) or vibrating heads to help remove food particles and plaque from your teeth. Once the head of the toothbrush begins to move, you do not need to manually brush your teeth as the electric toothbrush will continue to move on its own. Many electric toothbrushes include features such as built-in timers and pressure sensors which help ensure you are brushing long enough and not applying too much pressure on your gums.

While both manual and electric toothbrushes can provide good oral hygiene when used properly, studies indicate that electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes at providing a clean surface and lessening inflammation within the gums. Now, let’s look at some of the ways in which an electric toothbrush can assist you with maintaining healthy gums.

How Electric Toothbrushes Benefit Gum Health

1. More Effective Plaque Removal

A key benefit of electric toothbrushes is they will remove plaque better than manual brushing. The biggest contributor to Gingivitis (the earliest form of Gum Disease) is plaque, so removing plaque is the most important thing you can do to keep your gums healthy. Studies show electric toothbrushes are far more successful in removing plaque on the surfaces of your mouth that are difficult to reach when using a manual toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are especially beneficial for individuals who struggle reaching their back teeth or cleaning along the gum line properly with a manual toothbrush.

2. Better Gum Stimulation

The gentle oscillation of an electric toothbrush helps stimulate the gums (which in turn increases circulation) and promote the overall health of your gums; this may help reduce the risk of gum disease and/or prevent gum recession. Many electric toothbrushes are designed for individuals with sensitive gums and have a gentle mode that will give a soft cleaning to the gums rather than irritating/ inflaming them.

3. Timers and Pressure Sensors for Optimal Brushing

A lot of electric toothbrushes come with a timer on them so that you will know that you are brushing for the minimum two minutes recommended by dental professionals. The timer is helpful in making sure that you do not miss some of the surfaces of your teeth and gums while you brush.

Also, many electric toothbrushes are equipped with pressure sensors that give you a signal if you are applying too much pressure while you are brushing your teeth. Applying too much pressure while brushing your teeth can cause you to have receding gums and tooth sensitivity down the line. When you use an electric toothbrush, it makes you feel better about using the right amount of pressure to take care of your gums.

4. More Consistent Results

Using an electric toothbrush removes a lot of the "guesswork" involved with using a regular toothbrush. Because the electric toothbrush is moving on its own, you will not have to use as much force or try to get the bristles into the teeth at the correct angle when cleaning. This may lead to better removal of plaque and bacteria in your entire mouth which may ultimately result in better gum health.

Research: Do Electric Toothbrushes Improve Gum Health?

Many studies have indicated that using an electric toothbrush may benefit gum health for many patients with gum disease, as follows:

• A clinical trial was conducted by researchers that were published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, which demonstrated that subjects using an electric toothbrush had a reduction in plaque accumulation and inflammation on their gums versus subjects using manual toothbrushes.

The research data support the use of electric toothbrushes for the prevention and treatment of gum (periodontal) disease.

Are Electric Toothbrushes Right for You?

There are many advantages of using an electric toothbrush, but it is unlikely that everyone needs one. There are some things to consider when deciding if a toothbrush is right for you:

1. Oral Health Needs

An electric toothbrush can help improve your overall comfort and effectiveness of your oral health routine by helping to remove plaque and stimulate your gums which is beneficial when you have sensitive gums or gum disease. Also, an electric toothbrush can make your oral health routine less difficult and painful for those who have difficulty brushing their teeth because they have dexterity issues (e.g. seniors or people who have arthritis).

You probably do not need an electric toothbrush as most people with good gum health and confidence in your ability to brush with a manual toothbrush, but using an electric toothbrush can possibly add some extra value in removing plaque and stimulating your gums.

2. Budget and Lifestyle

An electric toothbrush can be more expensive than a manual toothbrush. An electric toothbrush also needs to be charged or have its batteries changed; however, if you're on a tight budget or just like simple things, a manual toothbrush is still a great option when using the correct technique. If you would rather use something with some extra features, such as a timer or pressure sensor, an electric toothbrush may be a good purchase for you.

3. Personal Preferences

Electric toothbrushes can appeal to some people based on a preference for how they feel when brushing their teeth, that they seem faster or more effective than manual toothbrushes. If you are one of those individuals who always wants to have the most modern products available and you like the additional benefit of having an electric toothbrush, then an electric toothbrush is the product choice for you.

How to Use an Electric Toothbrush for Optimal Gum Health

To achieve optimal results from an electric toothbrush, you can follow these general guidelines for using an electric toothbrush effectively:

• Better results when brushing for two minutes: If your electric toothbrush has a built-in timer, it will help you know if you are meeting the minimum time requirements recommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not press too hard on the gum line: Do not press down too much on the electric toothbrush as this could cause irritation to your gums.
• Select the correct brush head for your needs: There are different types of brush heads available for an electric toothbrush; select one that is most suitable for your dental care needs. For instance, if you have tender gums, a soft bristle brush head would be more suitable than a hard bristle brush head.
• Gently brush your gum line: When you brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush, brush the gum line gently with your electric toothbrush to stimulate your gums and help prevent plaque buildup.

Are Electric Toothbrushes Worth It for Gum Health?

Overall, an electric toothbrush will be a worthwhile investment for improving your gum health. An electric toothbrush offers improved plaque removal and stimulation of gums, as well as more consistent cleaning results; therefore, they are very advantageous for individuals with gum disease, or for those that wish to preserve ideal gum health. At Northern Colorado Dental Specialty and Implant Center, we commonly recommend electric toothbrushes to many of our patients with gum disease, and/or those that have difficulty brushing effectively.

Regardless of whether you decide on an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush, the key to keeping gums healthy is to brush often and schedule regular visits to your dentist for exams and cleanings. To find out how to help improve your gum health or which oral care routine is right for you, we invite you to contact us so that one of our skilled staff can assist you in beginning to achieve a healthier, more confident smile.