Is it Time to Swap Your Electric Toothbrush for a Manual Model?
It’s a popular belief that electric toothbrushes do a better job and while this may often be the case, dentists are worried that many people are not using their brushes properly and this is contributing to oral health problems.
Electric toothbrushes are designed to use electrical power to clean the tooth thoroughly. However, dentists are concerned that using brushes incorrectly is causing a large number of people to suffer from gum problems and increased tooth sensitivity. With an electric toothbrush, the brush is designed to do all the hard work for you. If you employ additional power by using your hands to brush more firmly, this can cause damage to the enamel and gums.
Natasha Vigille is a 40 year old carer who swapped her manual brush for an electrical model three years ago. She soon noticed that her gums were receding and her teeth felt incredibly sensitive. When she went to see her dentist, Natasha expected to be told she had a cavity or early signs of gum disease and was shocked to hear she had been over-brushing and had worn down her enamel. Her dentist said she had been brushing too hard with her new toothbrush and this had caused her gums to become irritated and her enamel to become thin. Natasha was forced to have enamel fillings to strengthen the outer layer of her teeth.
Dentists have warned that stories like Natasha’s have become much more commonplace in recent years and advise patients to be cautious when using powerful modern brushes. London-based cosmetic dentist Dr Beeta Salek-Haddadi said there has been a noticeable increase in the number of patients showing signs of enamel damage and gum recession caused by brushing too hard and fast with electric toothbrushes.
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