Electric toothbrushes have many benefits, but are you using yours correctly?
Are you taking care of your teeth? You know, flossing regularly, reading about the TikTok oil pulling trend and, most importantly, brushing your teeth. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice daily for 2 minutes using a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The ADA also says you can keep your teeth healthy using a manual or electric toothbrush. That raises the question: Which toothbrush type should you use? There are pros and cons to using either type. Electric toothbrushes are more expensive. But they also might be more effective at removing plaque and reducing tooth decay. Whether you're considering a move to an electric toothbrush or looking to improve how you use yours, read on to discover the benefits of these powered brushes, common mistakes and how you should be using it. Benefits of an electric toothbrush There are several advantages to using an electric toothbrush, like manageability and effectiveness. Here are some of the most important: Electric toothbrushes might be more effective Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes may more efficiently prevent tooth decay. In 2014, the Cochrane Collaboration studied 56 clinical trials of unsupervised toothbrushing by more than 5,000 subjects, both adults and children. Researchers found that those who used an electric toothbrush for one to three months saw a reduction in plaque of 11% when compared to those who used a manual toothbrush for the same amount of time. The study also found that those who used electric toothbrushes experienced a 21% drop in plaque after three months of use when compared to their peers who used manual toothbrushes. Another study that followed adults for 11 years also found that participants who used an electric toothbrush had healthier teeth. The 2019 study, conducted by researchers at the University of Medicine Greifswald in Germany, found that those who used electric toothbrushes had healthier gums and kept 19%…