How To Use An Electric Toothbrush Properly & What Are The Benefits (2024)

Experts agree that an electric toothbrush is the best tool to keep your teeth in the best possible condition, but knowing how to use an electric toothbrush correctly is a little less simple – too many people tend to miss spots, leave gaps, brush too hard or make other errors.

To help you polish your pearly whites to perfection, we have put together all you need to know about using an electric toothbrush – read on to transform your teeth!

How To Use An Electric Toothbrush

We have a few top tips to ensure that you understand how to use an electric toothbrush, and make the most of your brushing time.

• Choose The Right Brush

The first stage is to choose the right brush for your needs and, according to most experts, this is an oscillating style brush. These work by rotating around the tooth, and so do a good job of removing debris from every part of the tooth, rather than just the chewing surface or obvious spots. We have also reviewed the best models, which you can check out here.

• Use The Right Brushing Technique

The next important element is to make sure that you are using the right brushing technique. Start by using a cup to rinse your mouth, and then spit this into the sink – this step will remove any excess residue and food particles from the mouth.

Next, add toothpaste to the brush head and slowly begin brushing your teeth. Depending on your model, you may have alerts and signals to help direct you to the right place to brush. Divide your mouth into quadrants and move the brush head slowly across the surface of the teeth. Take care to brush the outside surfaces, the biting surfaces and the inside surfaces.

• Remember To Floss

As well as brushing your teeth properly, you should also remember to floss – this will allow you to remove debris and residue, while brushing is important for removing plaque and tartar buildup. You can use tape floss for this or a water flosser (see here).

It is also important to understand the most common mistakes made when brushing teeth – this will help you to maintain healthy teeth. Some of the most common errors include:

• Brushing Too Hard

One of the most common mistakes made is to brush your teeth too hard – this can cause damage to the tooth surface and the enamel, and this increases the risk of developing sensitive teeth. Brushing the gum line too hard can also cause damage, so be gentle.

• Not Changing Brush Heads

It is also important to change your brush head regularly – this is a factor that is all too often overlooked. Over time, brush heads of electric toothbrushes can collect grime and bacteria, and this is then transferred to your teeth when you brush. Changing brush heads and cleaning your brush are therefore important.

• Not Brushing For Long Enough

Another common mistake is failing to brush for long enough. According to experts, you should brush for 2 minutes each time you brush for the best results. To help, opt for an electric brush that includes a timer – this will automatically beep when the time is up, and some will even indicate how long to brush each section of the mouth for.

So, just what are the benefits of electric toothbrushes over a manual toothbrush? Some of the main advantages include:

• Use With Braces

Electric toothbrushes can be used with braces and other orthodontic tools without issue, and this is important for keeping your teeth healthy and strong, even when you are undergoing orthodontic treatment.

• More Effective At Removing Plaque

According to experts, electric toothbrushes do a better job of getting rid of plaque than manual toothbrushes, and this includes removing debris and buildup from the gum line as well as chewing surfaces. While a manual toothbrush will remove surface debris, electric brushes remove a greater amount and offer the best results.

• Easier To Time

As we mentioned, knowing how long to brush with a manual brush can be tricky, and it is easy to brush for too short a time. An electric model, on the other hand, usually includes a timer which makes it easier to brush according to the experts’ recommendations.