I want to share my own experience of using a sonic toothbrush. Unfortunately, before I could not boast of beautiful and clean white teeth, despite the fact that I tried to brush them. The practice of using a regular mechanical toothbrush has shown that it is extremely ineffective in cleaning teeth, and because... I didn’t see any serious effect, so I didn’t brush my teeth as often as I should.

Recently I paid attention to sonic toothbrushes and now I can confidently say that this is the best teeth cleaning product that has no analogues.

A short educational program on toothbrushes. There are three main types of toothbrushes: mechanical manual, electric with a rotating head and sonic. There are also devices such as irrigators for cleaning the oral cavity. But they are bulky and inconvenient to use.

Very often sonic brushes are called ultrasonic, which is a mistake. The leader in the production of sonic toothbrushes is Philips. But recently another serious player has appeared in this segment: the Soocas company, which is part of the giant Xiaomi corporation. I bought the most popular model Soocas Soocare X3 (the second version with an oval button).

The brush has a gyroscope and bluetooth for collecting statistics and displaying them in a mobile application. In general, these functions do not seem vital and can be abandoned, but unfortunately cheaper toothbrushes will not be as effective.

I recorded a short time lapse video showing how the sonic toothbrush works. On average, it makes 37,200 vibrations per minute (310 Hz - this is much lower than ultrasound) and it is due to this number of vibrations that the brush cleans not only mechanically with the help of bristles, but also due to the formation of bubbles that penetrate between the teeth where the bristles do not reach.

This vibration frequency is absolutely safe for dental fillings and implants, so you don’t have to worry about them.

And now a visual photograph from the series was/was. The effect was noticeable on the first day of use. After 30 days, the condition of the teeth was simply unrecognizable, although it was clear that they could be made even better. The main thing is not to rush.

And here is the result after 54 days of use. It is impossible to achieve this effect with a regular brush; only an appointment with the dentist for a whitening session will help (which will cost more than this toothbrush).

The mobile application allows you to monitor the battery charge (on average, lasts for 30 days) and the life of the attachments (it is recommended to change every 90 days), and also keeps cleaning statistics based on gyroscope data. The iOS application is actually quite buggy and for some reason does not save statistics for all days, but these are really minor things.

Through the mobile application, you can set up additional cleaning modes (+30 seconds for additional whitening, for example), and also set a timer (2 or 2.5 minutes). Statistics motivate me to brush my teeth regularly, just like the Mi Band motivated me 2 years ago.

From what I don't like. The brush has a wireless charging station, but it connects to a 220 volt network (they could charge it from USB). And the brush also takes a very long time to charge, about 14 hours, that is, it must be charged after brushing your teeth in the morning, and only by late night will it be fully charged. However, since you need to charge it no more than once a month, this is not particularly annoying.

The brush comes with one standard Clean attachment; there are also Mini attachments (for smokers and those who often drink tea/coffee) and Inter attachments (for sensitive teeth and gums). Additional attachments are sold in pairs and cost less than 500 rubles (two attachments are enough for 180 days of use). For initial teeth whitening, I recommend starting straight with the Mini brush head.

Another point is related to the fact that you need to take a responsible approach to choosing toothpaste, in particular, pay attention to the abrasiveness index (RDA). It is important to remember that whitening pastes with a high abrasiveness index cannot be used daily with sonic toothbrushes (they will erase the enamel). But you’d better consult your dentist on this issue; I won’t give any advice. Let me just say that manufacturers rarely indicate the abrasiveness index on the packaging.

You can buy one brush for the whole family and simply rearrange the attachments (we used this at first while we were waiting for subsequent orders), but firstly, it will not be possible to keep separate statistics, and secondly, the brush is not so expensive that you have to bother with rearranging the attachments .

I bought the first brush on Aliexpress for a fantastic amount of 4,000 rubles (the set included 2 additional Mini brushes), I ordered the next one there, a little cheaper.

And the best price for brushes is on the Girbest portal, but they have a very long delivery time. The last, fourth brush is still on the way and is now in the Vladivostok area.

The brush pays for itself in the first month of use. I also had the option of buying cheaper brushes, for example from the Lansung brand for 700 rubles. But then I saw this video, in which Lansung is compared with Philips and it became obvious that Lansung is just a waste of money.

Xiaomi currently has 4 models of sonic toothbrushes: Xiaomi Mijia Smart Sonic Electric Toothbrush, Soocare Soocas X3, Xiaomi Oclean SE and Xiaomi Oclean One. The latest two models are the most advanced toothbrushes available today, equipped with brushless (BLDC) motors. But in general, they all perform their functions very effectively and everyone decides for themselves whether it is worth overpaying.

An alternative to Xiaomi is the sonic toothbrushes I mentioned earlier from Philips. And you don’t even have to think about ordinary electric brushes and irrigators. There is no practical sense in buying them.

I chose Xiaomi because I really love the products of this corporation and already have a huge amount of their equipment at home (from Mi Band bracelets to Mijia M187/M365 electric scooters).

There's only one problem with a sonic toothbrush - once you try it, you'll never be able to brush your teeth with a regular toothbrush again.

Take care of your teeth and be sure to brush them twice a day!

Stupid people who see advertising in this article are sent to a ban without warning.

Still have questions? Ask them in the comments!

And don't forget to subscribe to my blog so you don't miss new articles!

Tokareva Anna Alexandrovna

Reading time: 5 minutes

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is an important hygiene procedure that helps prevent dental diseases.

To do this, you can use either a regular or an electric brush. The latter has its own characteristics of use.

The benefits of brushing your teeth with an electric brush

Electric brushes are more Effectively clean teeth from plaque and food debris. This device is extremely easy to use, it perfect for children and people with disabilities.

Brushing your teeth with an electric brush requires much less toothpaste than manual brushing. With the help of such a product it is easier to achieve the effect.

For your information! The versatility of the device lies in the fact that the whole family can use it.

Just you need to buy an individual nozzle for each family member. Children really like these brushes; the maintenance process turns into a game. However, at the same time It is important for an adult to monitor how the child brushes his teeth.

With the help special sensors control the pressure force. Due to this technology minimizes the risk of enamel abrasion and gum injury.

Many models have a timer that counts the time needed for quality teeth cleaning.

Electric toothbrushes are more environmentally friendly. Making one regular brush takes the same amount of plastic as 14-42 replacement brush heads.

Indications for use

Anyone can use an electric toothbrush, even those with completely healthy teeth. Indications for use:

• presence of braces;
• periodontal diseases;
• the presence of dentures and crowns in the oral cavity.

Attention! Although almost anyone can use such a device, you should consult with a specialist before purchasing it. Due to some individual characteristics, the use of such a device may be contraindicated.

How to choose?

When buying an electric toothbrush, you need to pay attention to a number of nuances.

First of all the dynamics of the nozzle movement is assessed. The device will only be effective if the nozzle rotates and vibrates at the same time.

Please pay attention to the following aspects:

• good battery;
• presence of a timer for brushing teeth;
• the presence of replaceable nozzles.

It is important that the device has a high-quality battery: Large capacity and light weight. If it is too heavy, it will create some discomfort when using the brush. The product must be light.

Worth noting! A teeth brushing timer is needed for better cleaning.

It can be general - 2 minutes, and such that it gives a signal every 30 seconds, indicating the need to change the impact zone.

Modern models allow the use of several types of replaceable nozzles.

The main thing is that they can be easily purchased. Otherwise, the device will become completely useless.

Exists several types such a device:

• classic;
• sound;

Classical An electric brush is different in that allows you to make reciprocating movements in a circle and pulsating from top to bottom. The set may include several attachments at once: for cleaning, polishing teeth and massaging gums.

The sonic brush operates using a high-frequency generator. It converts electricity into sound vibration waves. Such a device not only removes plaque and food debris, but also, due to sound vibrations, weakens the attachment of microbes to the teeth.

Operating principle ultrasonic brushes is to convert electricity into ultrasonic waves.

Ultrasound allows not only destroy the attachment of microorganisms to the teeth, but also eliminate pigment plaque from the enamel.

The choice of a specific model (Oral-B, Philips, Hapica, etc.) depends on individual preferences and the purchase budget.

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.

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.

Contraindications

Almost all contraindications to using an electric brush are relative or temporary. The use of the device should be discontinued in the following clinical situations:

• after surgery in the dentofacial area;
• stomatitis;
• tooth mobility grade 3;
• after oncological surgery;
• hypertrophic gingivitis.

Pay attention! Only after eliminating such pathologies or abnormalities can you begin to use an electric device for brushing your teeth.

If you experience unpleasant sensations while using the brush, it is better to abandon them completely.

How to properly brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush?

Proper brushing of your teeth with an electric toothbrush should be done in several stages.

Initially you need check if the device is charged, and recharge if necessary.

Cleansing algorithm oral cavity using an electrical device as follows:

1. A small amount of toothpaste is applied to the nozzle. Do not squeeze out a lot of product, since due to excessive foaming the procedure will need to be completed ahead of time.
2. Brushing starts from the top row of teeth. It is recommended to stay on each tooth for 3-4 seconds. The entire oral cavity is conventionally divided into 4 zones: upper, lower, left and right. Movements should be circular. It is necessary to clean your teeth not only from the outside, but also from the inside.
3. The tongue must be cleaned as carefully as possible. This way you can get rid of bad breath.
4. After finishing cleaning it is necessary rinse the mouth thoroughly and rinse the nozzle.

Worth noting! It is important to wash the nozzle and change it periodically. The optimal interval is once every 3 months. When the bristles become deformed, the attachment is changed more often.

How often can I use it during the day?

Electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes.

Despite this, cleaning also needs to be done 2 times a day for at least 2 minutes. The exact duration of the session will be indicated by a timer or an external smart guide.

Mistakes when brushing your teeth

The first and most common mistake is wrong choice of nozzle and paste. They should be selected depending on the condition of the gums and tooth enamel.

Brushing your teeth quickly or infrequently will be ineffective.

If a lot of time passes between cleansing procedures, then a large amount of plaque appears on the teeth. This, in turn, leads to the development of the inflammatory process.

It is also a mistake to clean too often.. It is dangerous due to irritation of the gums and thinning of tooth enamel. Incorrect teeth cleaning technique will negatively affect their condition.

The use of a dirty nozzle leads to the growth of bacteria. After each use, it must be rinsed thoroughly, as some plaque may remain on the bristles.

Important! Infrequent replacement of nozzles negatively affects the quality of cleaning.

They are recommended change every 3 months, if possible, this can be done more often. During use, the bristles lose their flexibility and become deformed. In the combined bathroom there are nozzles for brushes It is recommended to store in special cases. This is because flushing the toilet spreads bacteria that can settle on the brush.

Useful video

From this video you will learn how to properly brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush from Oral-B:

An electric toothbrush is a hygienic device that can thoroughly clean teeth from plaque without damaging the enamel. It is important to choose the right not only the brush, but also the toothpaste.. Before use, it is recommended to consult a specialist and make sure there are no temporary contraindications to use.

An electric toothbrush has long ceased to be an exotic novelty and a fashionable “hygienic device”; today it is a common hygiene item in the bathrooms of many Russians.

This device significantly saves time and effort: it takes a maximum of 2 minutes to clean the entire oral cavity, and cleanliness and freshness are achieved without difficulty, because the brush is pre-programmed for the necessary movements and does not require pressure.

But in order to extend the life of this device and maintain its cleaning properties, it is important to know how to properly brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush.

Charge the toothbrush

Electric brushes, depending on the power source, belong to one of two types:

• battery-powered (or battery-powered brush);
• rechargeable (rechargeable brush).

In any case, to be used for its intended purpose, the brush must have enough charge.

With a battery-type gadget, the situation is simple: it is enough to periodically, as the battery “runs out,” replace it.

This can be done in a matter of seconds if you have a spare AA battery at home.

The cordless brush must be charged in advance; how to do this is detailed in the instructions. The exact charging time depends on the manufacturer and/or specific model; on average it takes 12 hours. You can control the completeness of the charge by the status of the indicator on the brush.

It is acceptable to keep devices made by well-known manufacturers (Braun, Oral-B and many others) on the charging station all the time when they are not in use, however, as a rule, in the bathroom it is not very convenient to constantly keep the brush plugged in. The best option is to fully charge the device once a week.

Wetting and applying paste

Immediately before use, the bristles of the brush are moistened with water and the required amount of toothpaste is applied, and the paste can be any kind, but it is important not to overdo it with the amount.

A pea-sized ball (that is, approximately 5 mm in diameter) is enough to clean the entire oral cavity.

If you take more paste, the electric brush can create excessive foam, which interferes with normal cleaning.

Dentists advise people who use the device daily to use toothpastes with an abrasiveness index (RDA) of 40-50, no more.

Pressing

The process of brushing your teeth does not require special pressure; on the contrary, constant pressure is harmful to tooth enamel, since even the most low-power models make about 4000 revolutions per minute. Just select the desired mode: maximum or gentle cleaning.

Position of the brush relative to the tooth

Some modern brush models are equipped with a sensor that controls the pressure applied and a timer that shows the time needed to brush a segment of the dentition. Electronic “smart” brushes are much more convenient to use, although they are quite expensive: their price starts from 7-10 thousand rubles.

With pulpitis it is produced. This stage is very important, since this part of the tooth is hidden from view, and if not properly cleaned, suppuration can occur.

Why does a tooth react to cold and whether it can be corrected, read.

You can read about how periodontitis of a baby tooth is treated.

Cleaning the Exterior

The first stage of brushing your teeth with an electric brush is cleaning from the outside.

You can start with the upper jaw, or you can start with the lower jaw, it doesn’t matter.

In this case, the cleaning head of the brush must be moved slowly (staying on one tooth for literally 1-2 seconds) from one tooth to another.

There is no need to make any movements, since the brush head is already programmed for the desired rotation method.

Cleaning the inner surface of teeth

After the teeth are cleaned on the outside, the next step is cleaning their inner surface. The technique here is the same as for the outer part - slowly moving from tooth to tooth. To brush your front teeth from the inside, turn the brush vertically.

When cleaning, you should strive to ensure that the brush goes over the entire tooth, reaching the gum.

Chewing teeth

Maximum attention should be paid to cleaning chewing teeth, since they are the ones most at risk of developing caries and pulpitis.

The surface of your chewing teeth should be cleaned thoroughly, from all sides.

When cleaning the chewing surface, you can lightly (slightly!) press on the brush, which helps clean the interdental space.

Brush position

• horizontal – during cleaning of the outer, inner and chewing surfaces;
• vertical – during cleaning of the central teeth.

The simplest and, accordingly, inexpensive models of electric brushes provide for rotation of the cleaning head in only one direction.

More modern and more expensive brushes use modern 2D technologies (cleaning with reciprocating movements) or 3D (simultaneous pulsation is added to the movements).

The last two types of brushes do the best job of cleaning your teeth both outside and inside, and even remove plaque that no toothpastes can remove.

Cleaning gums

Cleaning gums is possible in the following two ways:

• the brush is used in the off state;
• using a special attachment for massaging and cleaning gums (if one is included with the electric brush).

Cleaning the attachments

An elementary method: simply wash the used nozzle under running warm water. In addition, many companies that produce electric toothbrushes also produce sterilizers and disinfectants for this device, designed for more advanced cleaning and destruction of bacteria.

The attachments on the device should be changed as they wear out. Typically, the service life of one nozzle is from 3 to 6 months.

Contraindications for use

• weak gums, the presence of inflammatory diseases (periodontitis, gingivitis, etc.);
• any acute inflammatory processes in the oral cavity;
• low density, increased abrasion of tooth enamel;
• the presence of wedge-shaped defects or white spots on the enamel;
• the presence of dentures, crowns, implants (the use of an electric brush - especially cheap models from untested “Chinese” manufacturers - can significantly reduce the service life of any orthopedic structures);
• This device should be used with caution during pregnancy and people with heart disease.

In any case, before using an electric brush, it is advisable to consult a dentist, and it is better if this is a doctor who constantly monitors you.

When we chew food, we do not think that the first stage of digestion is performed by the salivary glands, secreting saliva. If you are interested, read the article.

You can read about the types of pathologies of the sublingual salivary gland and the choice of treatment method.

It is advisable for any person who uses an electric brush to periodically (at least 1-2 times a week) alternate it with a regular brush. This is recommended by dentists primarily to reduce stress on the enamel.

So, electric toothbrushes greatly facilitate the process of brushing your teeth, save time on this daily routine process, and their proper use significantly improves the appearance of teeth and extends their natural lifespan.

Video on the topic

Electric toothbrushes are no longer a new product on the market today. Moreover, every year manufacturers improve their models and create new types and types: ultrasonic, with 3D technology, and the like. But this know-how still causes a lot of controversy and doubt about its usefulness and quality of cleansing.

Manufacturers of brushes claim their high efficiency, saving consumers time and better cleaning of teeth. Dentists are not so positive about them, and some are quite skeptical.

Let's look at all the pros and cons of this device, the principle of its operation and how to use electric toothbrushes correctly. Feedback from dental specialists is very important when deciding whether to use an electric analogue or not.

Types of Electric Toothbrushes

The main types of electric brushes today include:

• reciprocating;
• combined;
• ultrasonic.

What they have in common is that they operate on electricity, which is where the name comes from, specifically from AA batteries or an AC adapter.

Of course, each of these types has variations; every year various new products appear, for example, reciprocating rotary ones with 3D technology, combined ones with different nozzles (CrossAction or Dual Clean) and the like, but the principle of their operation is usually similar in type.

Reciprocating rotary ones have a round head, which combines movements in a circle in different directions, with the help of which it loosens and sweeps away plaque from the tooth enamel.

In combination, in addition to the cup-shaped head, there are additional static cross bristles, providing greater access to the surface of the teeth.

The head of an ultrasonic brush resembles a regular manual brush, and cleansing occurs due to the vibration of the bristles at high frequencies (a piezoceramic plate located under the bristles emits an ultrasonic wave, due to which its effect extends to hard-to-reach spaces in the teeth).

Ultrasonic toothbrush

The advent of the ultrasonic toothbrush created some boom in the world of electric models. Manufacturers claim that its use can replace teeth cleaning procedure special equipment at the dentist and even the fact that now trips to the doctor can almost be canceled or, at least, the number of visits reduced. This, of course, affects the popularity of this product among consumers, because going to the dentist rarely evokes positive emotions.

However, dentists themselves are quite critical of such statements; moreover, they advise patients to beware, since there are a number of contraindications to using similar electric toothbrushes.

In addition to the fact that such a brush mechanically removes plaque due to the vibration of the bristles, ultrasonic waves prevent germs from attaching to the surface teeth. They also quite effectively remove soft pigment plaque.

In general, consumers of such brushes are satisfied and the reviews are mostly positive.

It polishes and whitens teeth perfectly, reaches well in hard-to-reach places and is generally inexpensive. The downsides are that they run out of battery quickly, and the brush heads need to be changed as often as a regular toothbrush, and they are not cheap.

Veronica

Indeed, such brushes cope with light neoplasms on the teeth quite easily, but even small hard deposits on the teeth will be much more difficult for them to cope with. If you have extensive hard deposits, it will not help you, here need to undergo dental procedures at the doctor's. Therefore, it is still impossible to say that electric toothbrushes replace a visit to the dentist.

Contraindications

Electric toothbrushes, especially ultrasonic ones, are not recommended for use by people with various diseases of the gums and teeth, as well as with fillings, crowns and dentures on the teeth, as they can cause a number of unpleasant consequences, such as:

• rendering fillings and crowns unusable or reducing their service life;
• destruction of tooth enamel in areas with low mineralization;
• exacerbation of chronic periodontitis;
• exacerbation of periodontitis and gingivitis.

The effect of electric brushes on filled teeth

According to their purpose, electric brushes are aimed at removing plaque and soft dental deposits. In particular, ultrasound does this using waves that penetrate through the tooth tissue and remove all excess. But the fact is that crowns, fillings, various inlays and metal pins in tooth canals are made of artificial material, which in their physical properties are very different from tooth tissue. Accordingly, the vibration of such tissues, which is created by electric brushes, and the vibrations produced by artificial materials of fillings and crowns will be different, which may create media conflict and at the border of the connection of the material with the dental tissues.

Such a conflict will cause the destruction of the connecting material, the so-called glue (adhesion, cement, etc.), which connects the filling or crown with the hard tissues of the tooth and, accordingly, will lead to the loss of the latter. This process of destruction of connecting material will be gradual, initially imperceptible to the consumer, but will ultimately lead to an undesirable result. This applies to a greater extent, of course, to ultrasonic brushes, but conventional electric ones ultimately lead to the same result.

Indeed, on forums you can sometimes find reviews with the following content:

I once received an electric toothbrush as a gift from friends, along with a large booklet about its proper use. It says how well it cleans teeth, breaks up plaque, massages gums and saves time, because you only need to brush your teeth for one minute instead of three, which is what a regular brush requires. But, to be honest, I couldn’t get used to it. During cleaning, I constantly get the feeling that all my fillings are going to fall out. Now I’m glad that I didn’t have a relationship with her, thanks to this I didn’t cause even more damage to my teeth.

Irina

Dentists can also confirm this:

I am a practicing periodontist and have been working with ultrasound for 12 years. In my practice of removing tartar using ultrasound, there have been cases of low-quality fillings falling out during this procedure. Good material has a shorter service life.

Alexey, practicing periodontist

After such reviews, a logical question arises: is it even possible to carry out ultrasonic teeth cleaning? In fact, there is nothing to be afraid of here, since such cleaning at the dentist is carried out no more than once or twice a year, which will not cause significant harm your fillings and crowns, but it will also help prevent tooth and gum disease.

Enamel destruction

Sometimes people can find small white spots on their teeth that are visible to the naked eye. These are demineralized areas of enamel with insufficient calcium. In fact this is the initial stage of caries and although there are still no visible signs of destruction of the enamel, it is very fragile and porous in this place.

Even an inexperienced dentist, when removing dental plaque, can accidentally damage this fragile layer, what can we say about the consumer’s daily use of an electric toothbrush with strong rotational mechanical movements or an ultrasonic one with its waves? Daily use of these brushes will cause gradual destruction of the enamel in such areas, which will lead to caries and the need for tooth filling.

If your teeth are healthy, then using any electric brushes will be completely harmless to the enamel.

Chronic periodontitis

When you have periodontitis, cysts—sacs containing pus—form at the tops of the roots of your teeth. This disease can go undetected for quite a long time, without symptoms, and almost 70% of people have similar foci of inflammation. The use of electric toothbrushes and, especially, ultrasonic, may lead to aggravation this chronic disease, which will be accompanied by pain in the tooth, swelling of the gums, and the formation of a fistula.

Inflammatory gum diseases

The use of electric toothbrushes is strictly contraindicated during an acute period of gum inflammation (periodontitis and gingivitis) with pain, swelling, purulent deposits, swelling and bleeding, since using such mechanisms you can spread the infection to all teeth. It is possible to return to using such brushes only after the disease has been cured.

It is also not advisable to use electric toothbrushes during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. It is not for nothing that even visits to dentists and dental treatment are prohibited for women during this period, as they can cause spontaneous abortion. Also, doctors do not recommend pregnant women to use such brushes, especially ultrasonic ones.

The presence of benign or malignant tumors and diseases of the mucous membrane in the oral cavity is another reason to refuse to use such brushes.

Using toothbrushes

You can safely use electric toothbrushes, and sometimes get positive results, in addition to oral hygiene, in the following cases:

Periodontal disease differs from other gum diseases in that inflammation occurs not due to infection or poor oral hygiene, but due to the process of bone degeneration. Therefore, microstimulation with an electric toothbrush, and especially an ultrasonic one, will, on the contrary, be beneficial for the gums. However, you must be absolutely sure that this is the disease that is occurring.

Of course, this brush also has quite a few advantages. If a regular manual brush needs to be changed every two to three months, then an electric one can serve you from three months to six months. Also this brush saves time, because it only takes one minute to brush your teeth, while a manual one requires at least three.

When choosing a brush, you should pay attention to models from well-known companies; they conduct quite serious research, trying to minimize the possible negative harm from the brush and increase their effectiveness.

And yet, most of the reviews from dentists are quite skeptical; they are quite suspicious of electric toothbrushes and consider them a dubious invention.

In their opinion, after the increased popularity of this know-how, the number of enamel damages has also increased and gum disease, since improper use of electric brushes leads to damage to the gums and even loosening of teeth.

If you do brush your teeth with an electric brush, try not to touch the edge of the tooth in the gum area.

Tamara Petrovna, dentist

An electric toothbrush has long ceased to be a luxury. The numerous advantages of this oral care device have made it an indispensable assistant for modern people. However, in its application, moderation and understanding of the basic principles of action are important. Then the use of this technological device will be beneficial and not harmful. In this review, we will look at how to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush to keep them healthy and intact for many years to come.

The mechanism of action of electric toothbrushes

Unlike a regular classic toothbrush, the electric device is powered by a power source - a battery or accumulator. A compact motor or generator (in ultrasonic devices) directs energy to the head of the device and causes the bristles to move in a certain direction. The nozzles of these devices are capable of producing about 8 thousand reciprocating rotational manipulations and about 20 thousand pulsations per minute. Thanks to this intensity, you can easily clean the surface of your teeth from plaque and food debris.

In addition, high-quality devices enhance the effectiveness of toothpaste. They form foam that penetrates into all gaps and hard-to-reach places, washing away food particles and harmful microorganisms. This dental care device provides an order of magnitude better oral hygiene than its mechanical counterparts.

The benefits of brushing your teeth with an electric brush

Plus No. 1: it copes with soft plaque on enamel twice as effectively as a classic brush

The results of clinical studies prove that an electric brush cleans twice as well as a regular one. When you perform the procedure manually, the pressure applied, the nature of the movements and the cleaning time may vary. Your hand gets tired, you are in a hurry, and quality suffers from all this. With an electric device, all you need to do is move the head of the device correctly from one tooth to another. The nozzle rotates to reach the most remote areas and remove soft plaque.

Independent researchers in their works repeatedly draw attention to the fact that people who first used conventional mechanical brushes, and during the experiment, electric ones, were able to improve the condition of the oral cavity, reduce the amount of hard plaque, and improve the condition of the gums. Moreover, these facts were confirmed by dentists.

Plus No. 2: effectively cleans the entire surface

The head of this brush is made to completely cover one or two teeth, depending on the shape of the head. This means that the bristles remove dirt both from the fissures of the molars and in the places where they meet the gums, as well as in the interdental spaces.

Pro #3: Makes oral care more fun

Over time, cleaning becomes a routine, tedious process that we strive to finish as quickly as possible. A modern gadget can open up this procedure from a new perspective. A spectacular appearance, useful functions (for example, a timer), and most importantly, an impressive result will make the daily procedure a pleasant ritual that you will remember with pleasure.

This is especially true for children who are usually too lazy to brush their teeth. Devices for babies often feature bright colors, ultra-soft bristles, and stickers of favorite cartoon characters, as well as other extras (such as synchronization with educational interactive applications) that distract and entertain the child. Thanks to this, brushing your teeth does not cause rejection and is associated with positive emotions. In addition, due to the sounds produced, such advanced devices, as some independent researchers believe, can reduce children’s fear of the drill.

Pro #4: Controls your time

Dentists advise spending at least 2-3 minutes cleaning your mouth. If you do this for less than the allotted time, the positive properties of the paste will not have time to take effect, and some of the dirt and plaque will remain on the teeth. Despite this fact, many people don't keep track of how much time they spend cleaning. An electric brush helps control this important point. Many models are equipped with a built-in timer that will tell you when to move on to the next section. This way you will avoid excessive stress on the enamel and achieve a good result.

Contraindications to the use of electrical appliances

Professional dentists recommend that owners of electric brushes alternate their use with mechanical ones. Otherwise, people with weak enamel that is not saturated with minerals may experience problems. Alternating different brushes will help prevent damage to the enamel-dentin layers, cracking and increased sensitivity of the enamel.

There are also several contraindications for using electrical devices. And if you want your teeth and gums to be healthy, then they also cannot be neglected:

• inflammation of the gums: for example, gingivitis, periodontal disease and periodontitis. The use of a gadget can lead to an exacerbation of inflammatory processes,
• low density of tooth enamel: this condition is associated with increased abrasion of the enamel, and the action of an electric brush will only worsen the situation,
• presence of untreated caries,
• non-carious dental lesions: wedge-shaped defect, enamel hypoplasia, fluorosis, hyperesthesia. The thing is that the affected areas are low in minerals. They are subject to abrasion and destruction, which means intense pressure is detrimental to them. The use of an electric brush is possible only after a remineralization or fluoridation procedure by a doctor.

Many people are also concerned about the answer to the question of whether it is possible to clean dentures, implants, crowns, veneers and fillings with an electric brush. The presence of orthopedic structures in the mouth may be a contraindication for the use of certain types of devices, for example, ultrasound. They significantly reduce the service life of orthodontic structures, and the vibrations they produce can lead to damage to artificial materials.

Important! Electric teeth cleaning devices should be used with caution by pregnant women and people with cardiovascular diseases.

Whether it is possible to use an electric toothbrush is best decided in each specific case after consulting a dentist. Only a qualified doctor can evaluate the condition of your oral cavity and make recommendations for further care.

How to brush your teeth: instructions for using an electric appliance

Now that we have examined the principles and operating features of electric teeth cleaning devices, we can talk about how to use such devices correctly. In order for the procedure to be carried out effectively and safely, close attention should be paid to several points.

Preparation for the procedure

Before you start cleaning, wet the bristles of the tool well with water and squeeze out a small ball of paste on top. You don’t need much, otherwise too much foam will form, which will prevent you from performing the necessary manipulations properly. A pea-sized portion will be enough. Dentists recommend using the device with pastes that have an abrasiveness value of around 40-50 units. Such indicators are safe for enamel, taking into account the intensity of your device.

Brush position

There are two types of placement of the device relative to the teeth: horizontal and vertical. We hold the device horizontally while treating the external and internal areas, as well as the chewing surface. The vertical position will be convenient when cleaning the front incisors. The bristles themselves, as a rule, are located at such an angle as to remove dirt from the entire surface of the tooth without scratching the enamel and gums.

Cleaning the Exterior

First, we treat the teeth from the outside. Which jaw to start with - upper or lower - is not so important. We turn on the device, bring the head to the teeth until they come into contact with the bristles. We hold the tool slightly at an angle so that the angle between the surface to be cleaned and the bristles is about 45 degrees. We work without much pressure. We linger on one tooth for a couple of seconds and move on to the other. We make sure that the villi cover each tooth from bottom to top. There is no need to perform any further manipulations - all movements are included in the program of your device.

Pay special attention to the molars, because it is between them that food debris most often gets stuck, the oxidation of which contributes to the occurrence of caries.

Cleaning the interior

Having finished processing the outside, move on to the inside. There is nothing new here: gradually move along the dentition, paying attention to each area. To clean the front incisors, turn the device vertically and walk on both sides.

Completing the procedure

The total cleaning time should be two minutes. A built-in timer or an application on your smartphone will help you keep track of time. This option is available in expensive models that communicate with your mobile phone via Bluetooth and create a personal program for the user. After completing the necessary steps, rinse your mouth with clean water or mouthwash. Rinse the instrument with running water and pat dry with a towel. Wet bristles will become an environment for active growth of microbes, so do not neglect this rule.

For more information on how to use an electric toothbrush, watch the video.

The main rule of brushing your teeth, like any health or hygiene procedure, is to do no harm. We will give some useful tips to help you carry out your daily oral hygiene procedures with an electric toothbrush as efficiently and safely as possible:

1. Use the brush only in combination with toothpaste and other hygiene products. The fact is that after eating, soft food residues remain in the spaces between the teeth, which the brush fibers cannot remove on their own. These particles are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that destroy enamel. To remove them you will need a irrigator and dental floss,
2. Choose the right attachment and toothpaste. These hygiene products are individual and must correspond to the condition of the oral cavity. For example, it would be a mistake to use attachments with hard bristles and highly abrasive pastes for sensitive teeth. You should be careful with whitening attachments. Your doctor will help you choose the right hygiene products.
3. Do not exceed the brushing time set by the program and do not shorten it yourself. You should not expect a noticeable effect if you treat your teeth too quickly or irregularly. And too frequent (more than 2 times a day) and long-term brushing (more than 2-3 minutes) will not help clean your teeth more effectively, but will only harm the enamel, damaging it and making it more sensitive. Therefore, strictly adhere to the rules for using an electric brush,
4. change nozzles promptly. Manufacturers of almost all devices recommend changing heads at least once every three months. It is important to follow this recommendation, because with prolonged use, pathogenic bacteria accumulate on the bristles. Using such a device is not only ineffective, but also harmful. The bristles themselves may become deformed during operation. In this case, there can be no question of effective and safe care,
5. keep the device clean. Take the time to thoroughly rinse the device head after each use. Agree, it will be unpleasant for you to pick up a device that has particles of plaque or food left on it. Under such conditions, the cleaning nozzle turns into a “springboard” for the proliferation of microbes. Washed and dried baits are best stored in special cases.

So, an electric toothbrush can be your best assistant in the fight for beautiful, well-groomed and healthy teeth. It is important to take the choice of a gadget seriously and learn how to use it correctly. Without this, even the most advanced device can do more harm than good. No matter what expensive and high-quality instrument you use, the quality of teeth cleaning always depends on consciousness and awareness.

1 Nikolaev Alexander Ivanovich, Shashmurina V.R., Ginali N.V., Tsepov L.M. Studying the opinions of dentists about electric toothbrushes with reciprocating and pulsating motion technology. Russian Dental Journal, 2016.