Every year April 7 is World Health Day and Onlymyhealth is running a special campaign to create general health awareness. We are bringing in experts to talk about different aspects of health. Oral health is an important part that is largely ignored, leading to an increase in oral problems and other health problems associated with poor oral health. We had an informative live session together Dr. Rajesh Sethi, Clinical Director and MDS, Periodontist and Implantologist Where he answers various common questions related to oral health. Using an electric toothbrush is a highlight of this session. Scroll down to learn more about the benefits, risks, and how to use an electric toothbrush the right way.
Simple Brushes Upgrade your dental care with an old-fashioned, electric toothbrush. This is a new development that has caused insanity among the masses. People are using it without knowing how to use it. Sounds crazy but that’s true. Most of the electric toothbrush users do not know about its operation, use and cleaning.
An electric toothbrush is an advanced toothbrush consisting of an electric motor with a handle that helps to create an electric and automatic bristle motion for cleaning teeth. It uses electrical energy to move the brush head quickly and does not require hand movements to clean teeth.
What are the benefits of electric toothbrush?
Let’s start with the benefits of some electric toothbrushes.
- The automatic movement of the brush head makes it more effective in removing germs, plague and gingivitis. Swinging toothbrushes are much more effective than others.
- Electric toothbrushes do most of the work themselves when cleaning teeth. It works great with people who may have limited mobility, such as arthritis or people with developmental disabilities.
- It does not hurt anyone’s hands when brushing, gives them more time and energy to brush their teeth long enough and helps greatly in successfully removing plaque from teeth, gums and mouth.
- Oral hygiene is just as important for children as it is for adults. Most children have impatience which causes them to lag behind in their dental hygiene and brush their teeth every time. Electric toothbrushes help them become more involved with the brush and effectively clean their teeth and gums while establishing healthy habits.
Who should use it and how to use an electric toothbrush?
The electric toothbrush lets the user lie down so that they allow the brush to clean most of the time for them, as long as they are properly pointed at every corner of the face, including the corners and the surface of each tooth, effective brushing can be done easily. Even laziness and skill have been achieved.
People with physical disabilities and limited mobility also benefit a lot because they can brush their teeth effectively without the help of an outsider. It allows these individuals to be independent in their daily activities and in maintaining their personal hygiene.
Some of these diseases may be-
- Parkinson’s disease
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Arthritis
- People with disabilities
- Paralysis
Problems with electric toothbrushes?
Yes, there are some difficulties. Scroll down to read them.
- Electric-infused toothbrushes may seem very convenient for those who are using it. However, there are some disadvantages that people should be equally aware of.
- The price of a battery powered toothbrush is comparatively higher than others. In addition to the cost, they also require replacement heads which can again be very expensive. Not everyone from every financial background will be able to get it covered.
- It is also very prone to damage. Most of these models require charging but the user needs to be careful not to overcharge them. Once a user throws away a toothbrush or otherwise damages the battery, all the money is wasted.
How to clean an electric toothbrush?
Follow these tips to keep your electric toothbrush clean and germ-free:
The electric toothbrush must be washed with hot water after each use. It is considered to be the most sanitizing method of cleaning bristles before and after use. It helps to get rid of bacteria collected before and during brushing. It helps to get rid of new germs that may be collected after each use.
Soaking a toothbrush in an antibacterial mouthwash can get rid of the bacteria. Once brushing, try soaking the toothbrush in a small cup of mouthwash for about 2 minutes. One can also soak the head of the toothbrush with mouthwash and sit at the same time to get effective results.
UV Toothbrush Sanitizer – UV Light Sanitizer products are readily available in the market, specially made for cleaning toothbrushes and can be invested to sanitize electronic toothbrushes. Many studies have shown that UV light sanitizers have shown better results in brush cleaning than other saline solutions or chlorhexidine gluconate solutions.
The electric toothbrush is really a blessing for many people. But only if you know how to use it properly can you get the benefits. Also, keeping it clean is equally essential to maximize its use.
Image Credit – Fripic