Although it’s commonly called the most wonderful time of the year, the holidays can be stressful. Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list can be time consuming, so Dr. Thomas Villani, Dr. Richard Kondrat, and the team at Brighton Family Dental Group want to help you out. This year, give a high-tech gift that is sure to make the recipient smile: an electric toothbrush.
The Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush
In addition to their sleek style and high-tech nature, electric toothbrushes are 25 percent more effective at removing plaque than conventional toothbrushes, according to the British Dental Health Foundation. While a traditional toothbrush will meet your dental hygiene needs if you brush thoroughly for the proper length of time and follow up with other at-home dental hygiene measures, you can’t deny the power of a toothbrush that does all of the work for you.
In fact, research shows that a person is more likely to brush his or her teeth for a longer amount of time with an electric toothbrush than a traditional brush for several reasons. First, most high-end electric toothbrushes come equipped with a timer to let you know when you’ve brushed for the full two minutes that most dentists recommend. This takes the guesswork out of brushing your teeth and you can focus on getting those pearly whites clean and sparkling. Additionally, several models of electric toothbrushes include a built-in pressure system to let you know when you’re brushing your teeth too hard or not hard enough. This is valuable because you risk wearing away your tooth enamel when you brush your teeth too rigorously, but you risk leaving plaque and bacteria on your teeth when you brush too lightly. An electric toothbrush does all of the work for you! All you have to do is make sure the brush moves evenly and thoroughly throughout your mouth and over all of your teeth.
For people with limited mobility and dexterity, as a result of an injury or arthritis, for example, an electric toothbrush can make their daily routine much easier. Because the brush rotates and moves independently, a lot less movement is needed to move the brush over and between the teeth, meaning that a lot less work is required to achieve the same level of cleanliness.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush for You
There are many electric toothbrushes out there to choose from. When choosing a traditional toothbrush, you have a choice of bristle texture and hardness, head size, and function of the brush (whitening, tartar control, etc.). The same goes when choosing an electric toothbrush. Many different brands and models are available for various price ranges, so you’ll be able to find one that best fits your needs—and the needs of each person on your holiday gift list.
If you’re not quite ready to switch to an electric toothbrush, don’t worry. You can have a healthy, clean mouth by simply practicing thorough at-home dental hygiene habits with a good, old-fashioned toothbrush and floss and by attending regular dental exams and cleanings every six months. Just follow the ADA recommendations for good oral hygiene, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier, whiter smile in no time!
For more holiday and oral health tips, contact Brighton Family Dental Group at (617) 562-5210 to reserve an appointment at our Brighton, Massachusetts dental office.
