How to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush - basics and rules, with and without toothpaste

03/13/2018 Editor

Mass production of electric toothbrushes began in the 60s of the last century. Modern devices are radically different from their predecessors, both in appearance and in the quality of cleaning tooth enamel. Despite the wide range of positive qualities and good reviews from dentists, not every person knows how to brush their teeth with an electric toothbrush. Let's look at this issue and learn about the main nuances of operating the device.

2 Rules for cleaning the tooth surface

3 In what cases should you not use an electric brush?

3.1 Precautions

3.2 Caring for your electric brush

General rules for brushing teeth

It is necessary to study the recommendations of specialists regarding oral hygiene. The tips are based on the following factors:

The device does not exempt you from using dental floss - it is designed to remove food debris in the presence of braces or expanded interdental space.
Be sure to learn how to brush teeth with dental braces so that you don’t find white spots on the surface after they are removed. In this case, universal additional means are used that pass under the staples. They are elongated with short bristles.
Monitor the condition of the hairs - do not use damaged or worn attachments. They will only damage the top layer of teeth, but will not make them cleaner. In addition, such specimens are ineffective in tissue hygiene and can cause bleeding.
The head is pre-wetted with water - this softens the effect on the surface. The flowing fluid is removed as much as possible from the involved bristles.
Use a minimal amount of product - do not allow foam to form in excessive quantities. Processing is then carried out with lower quality.
Hold the equipment at an angle of 45 degrees - this ensures safe pressing and protection of the treated areas.
Brushing with toothpaste and an electric brush takes no more than 2-3 minutes; prolonged treatment will only damage the fragile enamel layers.

Finally, doctors advise rinsing your mouth with water or chamomile decoction; you may also use medical liquid from a pharmacy. Such products restore enamel and protect it from damage.

How to choose pasta?

It is best to use the toothpaste recommended by your doctor. People with healthy teeth can use universal hygienic toothpastes . They have an antiseptic effect, whiten and freshen breath.

For the purpose of prevention, sometimes it is necessary to switch to pastes to prevent caries and periodontal lesions . They contain fluorine and calcium compounds.

Important! You need to be as careful as possible with whitening pastes, since they contain chemical oxidizing agents or abrasive particles.

Such products are contraindicated for those who have increased enamel sensitivity.
Children are advised to use low fluoride toothpastes . In the period from 6 to 13 years, it is necessary to give preference to products with a minimal amount of abrasive substances and a high calcium content. Upon reaching 13 years of age, you can switch to adult pastes.

Requirements for choosing an electric toothbrush for cleaning teeth

In questions about how to properly and safely clean enamel with an electric toothbrush, it is impossible to avoid the features of choosing a device:

It is recommended to buy additional round or bowl-shaped elements - they are effective in achieving whiteness and protecting the enamel;
it is better to purchase varieties with pressure indicators - some of them automatically turn off, others indicate with sound that force has been exceeded;
it is better to give preference to models with additions - this saves money and protects the enamel, since replacement occurs when necessary;
Several attachments can be attached to the set - for sensitive enamel, for whitening, cleaning the mouth with braces and bridges;
You can use a timer - the device signals the recommended cleaning time for each row.

Improved varieties have numerous auxiliary functions. Their cost is higher, but a beautiful smile and safety are more important.

How often to disinfect

Do you need to clean your toothbrushes often? No. If you wash them in hot water after each use and store them properly (away from the toilet), you can clean them about once every month or so. Hot water from the sink really helps remove potentially dangerous germs.

Frequency of toothbrush cleaning

Sanitation vs. Sterilization
When shopping for toothbrush sanitizing products, it is important to understand the current lingo. The concept of "disinfect" means to remove disease or infection, but the rate of this process in each individual case can vary greatly. “Sanitation” means reducing bacteria by 99.9 percent. “Sterilization” is the process of destroying all living organisms. It is important to know that there are currently no commercially available toothbrush cleaners that can sterilize or sanitize them. Don't believe promises of complete destruction of all bacteria, because this is just a marketing ploy.

You can buy toothbrush cleaner, but no evidence suggests that these products clean them any better than plain water and drying. If you decide to purchase a sanitizer, look for a product that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Toothbrush

The bad news is that germs are everywhere and there is no escape from them. The good news is that most of them are actually incapable of harming us. So, don't try too hard to change your toothbrush routine, if at all. Most people have very little chance of ever getting sick from their own toothbrush. Read about waxed dental floss on our website.

How to properly brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush

You should fully study the instructions on how to use electrical appliances, toothpaste and brushes in accordance with the advice of manufacturers and dentists.

Charge

To ensure that the procedure for brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush is not interrupted, you need to check the charge. To avoid problems during cleaning, mains-powered models are connected to current, and battery-powered ones are kept charged constantly. The charger is a stand that serves for storage and recharging.

Applying paste

Wet the bristles in warm water, then shake it to remove excess liquid. The product is applied in a small dosage - 1-2 g is enough (a drop of 5 mm in diameter).

Pressure force

You cannot press too hard - the head performs about 4 thousand revolutions per minute, so the cleaning efficiency will be sufficient. It is better to choose a gentle treatment mode. For beginners, it is better to look at the pressure sensor, which signals violations by turning off or sounding a signal.

For the outside

It is necessary to begin the procedure of brushing your teeth with an electric brush by cleaning the outer part - there is no difference from the top or bottom. Holding the device at an angle of 45 degrees, hold each for no more than 2 seconds. This time is enough to remove food and bacteria from the surface.

For the inside

To remove the stone, the electric toothbrush is positioned at a right angle and moved along the row in the same way as before. For both parts, it is important to follow the rule - you need to reach the gum with the bristles, but not damage it. If pain is felt, the position is changed to a more comfortable one.

For chewing molars

They are more susceptible to developing caries than others. Here you can deviate a little from the rules of how to brush your teeth with electric appliances and a toothbrush, and apply a little pressure on the surface. These actions can clean the interdental space.

How to hold

The external, internal and chewing parts are cleaned while holding the device in a horizontal position. To clean the front incisors, the position is changed to vertical. To ensure high-quality cleansing, dentists advise purchasing electric toothbrushes with reciprocating bristles or simultaneous pulsation.

For gums

It is important to clean them of food debris and plaque build-up. For this purpose, special nozzles are used. If they are absent, the device can be used in the off state. The movements are careful and without pressure, otherwise there is a risk of developing tissue pathology.

End of the procedure

The used elements of an electric toothbrush are washed under a tap or in a special sterilizer or disinfector, which is equipped with more expensive models. Cleaning solutions should be used periodically. In their absence, you can pay attention to baking soda, which is used once a week.

What characteristics of an electric brush need to be taken into account?

Before purchasing a brush, you should consult with your dentist, since the condition of your teeth and gums determines the requirements for the properties of the model you are using.

Bristle

The bristles should be made of synthetic materials, such as nylon. Natural fibers may have hollow parts where bacteria can accumulate over time. The stiffness of the bristles is selected by the doctor individually. Without his recommendation, you should not use brushes with hard bristles. Soft and very soft bristles are recommended for patients with sensitive enamel and gum problems, as well as for children. For the rest, medium-hard bristles are suitable. Particular attention should be paid to the tips of the villi. For more delicate care they are made rounded. Pointed bristles can scratch tooth enamel.

Battery or batteries

Battery-powered electric brushes lose power as their charge decreases. Therefore, the effectiveness of this tool may gradually decrease. In addition, when buying it, the user also acquires the need to constantly spend money on batteries. The battery allows you to control the charge level before each cleaning and does not require additional costs.

Handle and weight

It is better to choose a curved handle made of non-slip materials. The weight of the device should not strain your hand during the 3-5 minutes spent cleaning the entire oral cavity. It is especially worth paying attention to these characteristics when choosing a brush for children.

Number of nozzles

Several interchangeable cleaning heads allow you to use one electric brush for all family members. For example, buying a set of Glister™ Smart Sonic electric toothbrush and spare brush heads is cheaper than purchasing several separate accessories for the whole family.

Noise

The vibrations of electric brushes do not produce loud sounds. But those with sensitive hearing may experience discomfort from even a slight buzzing sound. In this case, you should opt for silent ultrasonic models.

Additional functions

The latest models of electric toothbrushes are equipped with features that allow you to improve the process of brushing your teeth. The most common among them:

a timer that beeps when it is time to move to the next area in the oral cavity;
a pressure sensor that warns when to reduce the pressure on the cleaning head;
compatibility with a mobile application that allows you to evaluate the result of the procedure and configure the operating mode of the device.

This application was created for the Glister™ Smart Sonic electric brush. It:

offers one of five operating modes depending on the condition of the teeth and eating habits;
detects cleaning time;
shows which area needs special attention.

Contraindications

Despite the benefits of the procedure, dentists prohibit cleaning the cavity in the following situations:

inflammation of the gums occurs;
there is an exacerbation of the pathology of the gums and canals;
Previously, increased abrasion of the enamel was noted - the thin layer is quickly damaged by the action of the head;
the person has wedge-shaped defects in the mouth;
there are bleached spots on the surface - first you need to establish the cause;
It is prohibited to use equipment in the presence of veneers, crowns and prostheses.

You need to find out from your dentist how to brush your dental braces. He will give precise recommendations and recommend models for use. It is also necessary to consult a doctor during pregnancy and if you have problems with blood pressure. People with diagnosed cardiovascular diseases should use electrical appliances with caution.

Comments

Can several family members use one electric brush at once?

Valeria (12/17/2019 at 04:39 pm) Reply to comment

Editorial staff of the portal UltraSmile.ru (12/20/2019 at 09:12) Reply to comment

I've heard that electric brushes can damage tooth enamel, is that true?

Vita (11.01.2020 at 14:15) Reply to comment

Editorial staff of the portal UltraSmile.ru (16.01.2020 at 09:22) Reply to comment

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Storing the electric brush

It is necessary to take into account the correct storage and cleaning of additional accessories, where the following recommendations are highlighted:

After use, the device is disconnected from the network if the type involves connecting to an outlet.
Place the used accessory under the stream and rinse thoroughly for 10 seconds or more, running your fingers over the bristles to remove as much accumulated plaque as possible.
Shake the accessory to remove any remaining water and run your fingers through the bristles.
Place it in a special container, if it is included in the kit, or install it back on the device and place it in a vertical position (for charging).

In this case, it is not necessary to carry out any complex movements; it is enough to simply follow precautions and storage measures to increase the effect.

Tip #5: change attachments promptly

Helpful tips on how to brush your teeth with an electric brush will not help you if you do not pay attention to this point. Everything here is the same as with conventional classic devices. The recommended period of use of the nozzle is about 3 months. To make it easier to control timing, some manufacturers create indicator bristles that change color as they wear.

Don't forget to change attachments promptly

The bristles should be soft and rounded, but if you notice that they have become deformed, become pointed, broken or worn out, then do not hesitate to change the attachment, otherwise you can damage the enamel and gums, and the cleansing process will become ineffective.

Every time after brushing your teeth, do not forget to rinse the brush under running water, this way you will avoid the accumulation of bacteria. For the same purpose, let the bristles dry thoroughly, because... moisture promotes the proliferation of pathogens. To do this, store the device strictly vertically and do not place it in a sealed case without ventilation.

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prevention

Expert “The device cannot be used after surgical interventions performed in the oral cavity. Pregnant women and the elderly should also use this personal hygiene product with caution, because their calcium metabolism in the body may be disrupted, and the enamel may be weakened. In any case, if you are very interested in an electric toothbrush, please consult your dentist first.”

Dentist-therapist, orthopedist Litvinenko Olga Viktorovna

Consulting specialist

Belyaeva Olga Alexandrovna

Doctor rating: 9.8 out of 10 (4) Specialization: Dentist-therapist Experience: 11 years

Interesting facts about electric toothbrushes

Users of electric toothbrushes do not pay attention to the subtleties of use, but interesting statements will change their outlook. The most significant include:

Up to 30% of electrical appliance owners exchange the attachments they use with their spouses. Up to 18% exchange accessories with their children. This is unacceptable, as the risk of developing pathologies increases.
Most users put a special cap on the head to protect it from dirt and debris. But this is not recommended, since the humidity inside only promotes the growth of bacteria.
Experts advise keeping electric toothbrushes at a distance of 2 m from the toilet - when flushing, there is a high probability of bacteria and germs getting on the bristles.

What about ultrasound?

This is not how ultrasonic toothbrushes work. They generate an ultrasonic wave that destroys the chains of bacteria that form plaque.

The full capabilities of such a brush are revealed precisely when using the right toothpaste! Thus, the German brand Emmi-Dent produces pastes that, when brushing teeth with ultrasound, form a huge number of microbubbles. These microbubbles are 1000 times smaller than bacteria that accumulate on the surface of teeth, in interdental spaces and in enamel cracks. Microbubbles envelop the bacteria, burst and destroy their membranes, and the process is repeated up to 1000 times per second.

This type of teeth cleaning becomes incredibly effective in preventing caries and other oral diseases, because cariogenic bacteria are destroyed in the most inaccessible places!

Keep your brush safe while traveling

To ensure that it does not become a breeding ground for bacteria, get a separate case or cosmetic bag where only the cleaning device will be stored.
Upon arrival, unpack your things, leaving the brush in the bathroom and rinsing it first. Before you leave, rinse it, dry it thoroughly, disinfect the storage case and place the brush in it.