In a recent survey Americans were queried on which personal possessions they considered indispensable to well-being. Astoundingly, the everyday toothbrush ranked third in importance—just below the automobile and the computer. — Lemelson-MIT Invention Index
The toothbrush has come a long way from its beginnings around 5000 years ago to its modern status as an indispensable health and grooming tool. In the ancient world twigs and water served to clean the mouth and teeth for anyone who actually cared about dental hygiene. By the 15th century hog bristle versions of the brushes we use today were available for those who could afford them. The hoi polloi made do rubbing rags, chimney soot, and salt on their teeth.
The nylon-bristled manual toothbrush is a fairly recent innovation, introduced in 1938 and widely in use in the US by the 1950’s. In 1954 an electric version was developed, and by the 1960s powered toothbrushes were well on the way to becoming generally available to anyone with access to a wall outlet.
A short course in toothbrush technology here: With a manual toothbrush you’ll rack up approximately 300 strokes per minute, or 600 for an ADA-recommended two minutes of brushing time. If you’re patient and do it right, you’ll make respectable inroads on surface stains and plaque.
With an electric toothbrush you’ll use the same motion of hand, but at a stroke rate of 3,000 to 7,500 rotating, or oscillating, motions a minute. The smaller round brush head of many current models can swiftly and efficiently reach over and around each tooth as well as into tight spaces to remove more debris and plaque. With a sonic toothbrush, you’ll have 30,000 to 40,000 sonic brush strokes per minute at your disposal.
Recent studies have indicated that powered toothbrushes, engineered to both rotate and oscillate from side to side at exhilarating speeds, are at least somewhat more effective at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis than manual ones. Obviously, with 3,000 and up to 80,000 double motion brush strokes available to them the powered brushes take advantage of tooth-cleaning time. But are they significantly better than the old manuals?
Currently, the American Dental Association recommends powered toothbrushes for people with strength or dexterity problems such as arthritis. Beyond that though, the ADA concludes that either manual or powered can effectively and thoroughly clean your teeth when used for two minutes, twice a day and—importantly—when accompanied by flossing. It does emphasize that whether you decide on manual or powered, you should choose a toothbrush that you both like and find easy to use, so that you’ll actually adopt the two-minute-twice- a- day routine.
But there are real advantages to the electric toothbrush that might make it a better fit for some people. Those who are negotiating a brush in a small mouth or over very tight or irregular teeth and spaces may find a powered brush with a small head convenient and more effective. Toddlers and young children usually find powered brushes easier and more fun, whether brushing with parental supervision or on their own. And—let’s face it—manual brushing can become tiresome, leading to shortened brushing time for teens and adults as well as children. While powered brushes won’t reduce the recommended two-minute brushing time, many models have timers to help keep you on the two-minute track, and even make your routine a bit easier and more attractive.
On the other hand, you can be overenthusiastic about brushing. Brushing too hard—applying too much pressure with an electric toothbrush, or a manual one for that matter, can wear down tooth enamel and damage your gums, causing your teeth to become overly sensitive to temperature. If your dentist or hygienist has noticed enamel wear or gum damage and has suggested that you brush less aggressively, you may want to try a powered toothbrush with a sensor mechanism that stop spinning if it detects excessive pressure. As with most technology, cost can be a consideration, however. Electric toothbrushes can range from under $10 for battery-operated basic models to $200+ for techno-loaded, rechargeable models. Manual models usually retail for less than $5.
At Leland Dental we offer you the opportunity to test-drive both manual and electric toothbrushes to find the best fit for your daily routine. At each semi-annual checkup we provide a complementary gift bag that includes a state-of-the-art manual toothbrush, as well as toothpaste, floss and other hygiene goodies for you to try at home. We also offer some top-performing electric toothbrushes at our front desk (shout-out to Chris, our hygienist/uber sleuth for some intensive research on these models). These include the Oral-B Pro Series, (Pro Series 5000 with Bluetooth technology) the Philips Sonicare (Flex Care Platinum or 9 Series Diamond Clean), and the Sonicare for kids. You can take one of these brushes on a trial run right here in the office before you buy. Obviously, Leland Dental is not in the retail toothbrush business. We sell these electric brushes at our cost, so you can expect some of the lowest price around for these models.
Keep in mind that by itself no toothbrush, manual or powered, can guarantee healthy teeth and gums if you don’t set up a daily oral-hygiene regimen and stick to it. You’ll still need to floss and brush regularly to clear debris and remove plaque from your teeth. Keep the focus on brushing effectively twice a day for the full two minutes—whether by hand or power. Try these tips for better brushing:
- Angle the brush at about 45 degrees on the tooth and into gum line
- Use a soft-bristled brush and gentle back and forth strokes
- Thoroughly brush every tooth and cranny
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Include your tongue
- Don’t over scrub or use too much pressure
If you have questions about brushes or brushing technique, give us a call at 781-826-8395 or chat with us during your next visit.