What Type of Electric Toothbrush Head is Best?
Are you thinking about switching to an electric toothbrush but not sure what head is best? Or maybe you have been using an electric brush for a while now but are not happy with the results?
Either way, if you want to make the most out of your electric toothbrush and maintain good oral health, then you need to pick the right toothbrush head. Within the below blog, you will find out everything there is to know about electric toothbrush heads, including how to pick the right toothbrush head for your oral hygiene routine.
Why should I use an electric toothbrush?
If you have always used a manual toothbrush, you may be wondering why you should switch to an electric one. While manual and electric toothbrushes are both effective at removing oral plaque and keeping your teeth and gums healthy, electric toothbrushes offer a convenient, quick, and easy way to brush your teeth.
Furthermore, studies have shown that electric toothbrushes remove more plaque and decrease gingivitis more than manual toothbrushes. This is due to the vibration of the bristles that allow for micro movements every time you move your toothbrush across your mouth.
Electric toothbrushes are also a good choice for people with limited mobility as these do most of the work, as well as children who may struggle with teeth brushing using a manual toothbrush. As you can see, if you aren’t already using an electric toothbrush, switching has plenty of benefits.
Now regardless of whether you are a new electric toothbrush user, a soon-to-be, or have been a loyal supporter, the question is, what toothbrush head should you have?
How to choose an electric toothbrush head?
When it comes to choosing the right electric toothbrush head for your oral health needs, there are several factors that you need to consider.
Most electric toothbrushes work with a range of specialist brush heads, all of which are designed to offer a more specific type of cleaning.
Oral B electric toothbrushes are the most popular on the market and offer a wide range of toothbrush heads for you to choose from. Some of these are designed for whitening, flossing, and giving a more thorough clean.
Oral B electric toothbrush heads
- Precision Clean
Precision Clean is the original Oral B brush head and works with most Oral B electric toothbrushes. This head rotates around each tooth to clean away plaque and keep your mouth fresh and clean.
- Dual Clean
The Dual Clean brush head provides a 2-in-1 approach to cleaning plaque, with the top part of the head cleaning each tooth with a rotating-oscillating action and the bottom part sweeping from side to side.
- Floss Action
This brush head features 4 flat, rubber-edged flossing strips among the bristles which are designed to slip between the teeth while also cleaning the surface.
- 3D Whitening
This Oral B toothbrush head has a rubber cap at the center, which polishes the teeth surface at the same time as the bristles clean away plaque. It is recommended to use this brush head alongside a whitening toothpaste.
If you need help choosing the right electric toothbrush head for you or any member of your family, then get in touch with our expert dentists at bafdentistry or pop in for a chat.
How to clean and care for your electric toothbrush head
If you want to maintain good oral hygiene and make your electric toothbrush last longer, then you need to ensure that you are cleaning it regularly and storing it correctly. The most basic way to clean your toothbrush head is to run hot water over the bristles before and after each use. This effectively gets rid of any bacteria that may have collected on your toothbrush and also eliminates any new bacteria which may have accumulated after each use.
If you don’t think this is sufficient or are worried about bacteria, you may also want to soak your toothbrush head in an antibacterial mouthwash or denture cleanser.
When to replace your electric toothbrush head
In order to keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition, it is recommended that you change your electric toothbrush head once every 3 months. If you do not replace your electric toothbrush head regularly, then it can have a negative effect on your dental health and increase the risk of an infection spreading.
If you notice that the bristles of your electric toothbrush head are becoming frayed or worn, then it can also be a good idea to replace your toothbrush head.
How to brush your teeth using an electric toothbrush
If you have not used an electric toothbrush before or you are not sure if you are doing it correctly, then the below top tips that are dentist recommended are exactly what you need.
- Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle
- Apply a small amount of pressure and hold on each tooth for 3-5 seconds.
- Start from the outside of the back of your upper teeth on the right and brush until you reach the left side.
- Then, guide the brush under your very back teeth to brush inside from back left to back right.
- Next, move the brush down to your lower teeth and repeat the same process.
- Finally, scrub the biting surfaces, applying a little bit more pressure as you do so.
- You do not need to rinse after brushing with an electric toothbrush. Simply spit out the toothpaste.
- You may also want to brush your tongue by starting near the back and brushing toward the tip.
Most electric toothbrushes come with a 2-minute timer which should be sufficient time to effectively brush all your teeth. However, if you want to take longer to ensure you clean each tooth thoroughly, there is no reason why you can’t do this. Some electric toothbrushes also feature a pressure sensor – a red light comes on if you are applying too much pressure.
Whether you choose to use an electric toothbrush or a manual one, you must always make sure that you brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day if you want to maintain good oral health.