Electric Toothbrush Side Effects

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You’ve probably heard all the benefits of electric toothbrushes before, but you may not have heard about their potential side effects. 

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Here are ten side effects of electric toothbrushes you should be aware of, so you can make an informed decision on whether to switch to one or not. 

Top 10 Electric Toothbrush Side Effects

If these potential side effects are too concerning, you may want to consider using an old-fashioned manual toothbrush instead.

The Will it hurt? myth

The fear of pain is one of many reasons people don’t floss their teeth regularly. 

While it’s true that you may experience slight discomfort at first, studies have shown that flossing is associated with a reduced incidence of periodontal disease and cavities. 

Plus, once you get over any initial discomfort, you may even find yourself enjoying what feels like a really good massage in your mouth. 

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The key to flossing success: there’s no right or wrong way to do it. 

Regardless of whether you choose dental tape or string floss, as long as you insert it into your interdental spaces—those little holes between your teeth—and slide gently between each tooth, chances are you will be healthier than before. And who doesn’t want that?

sonicare receding gums,

Working out in-between: Exercise is another activity we often put off because we feel we don’t have time for it. 

That’s why exercise on-the-go has become so popular; according to a recent study by Nielsen, more than half of Americans exercise at least three times per week when they work out on their own schedule. 

For most busy professionals, however, working out doesn't mean going on a solo bike ride around Central Park; it means squeezing in sets while on conference calls or scheduling workouts during dead time (like those two hours you sit idly on Twitter). 

One great solution for fitting exercise into your day without interrupting important tasks?

The Electric toothbrushes cause cancer. myth

Scientific studies have not found a link between cancer and electric toothbrushes. 

A 2013 clinical trial found that users of an electric toothbrush were just as likely to get oral cancer, but were more likely to suffer from gum inflammation. 

Myth: The electromagnetic fields created by an electric toothbrush damage your cells or make it harder for them to communicate with each other. 

This myth is largely based on badly designed and flawed animal experiments that haven't been replicated in humans.

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 It's unlikely that there are negative health effects from brushing your teeth with an electric toothbrush.

 But if you're concerned about EMFs, use a regular manual toothbrush instead of an electric one—it won't do anything to protect you against health problems linked to EMFs but at least it won't do any harm. Don't believe everything you read online.

 It may sound pretty scary, but it turns out that using an electric toothbrush doesn’t increase your risk of getting cancer or harm nerve function.

 Electric toothbrushes do pose some other risks, though. Don’t believe everything you read online!

The You don’t need an electric toothbrush. myth

A lot of people will try to sell you an electric toothbrush and tell you that using one is essential for healthy teeth and gums. That’s not necessarily true.

Top 10 Electric Toothbrush Side Effects

 In fact, dentists used to only recommend electric toothbrushes for patients with limited dexterity or special needs, but now they’re generally accepted as helpful for anyone who wants a thorough cleaning. 

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For healthy folks with normal teeth and gums, though, it’s up to you. 

Most studies show that manual brushes are just as effective at plaque removal as electric ones – after all, it doesn’t matter how fast you move if you don’t hit every part of your mouth. 

And many electric toothbrushes have small heads that don’t cover your entire mouth, meaning more places might be missed during each brushing session. 

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If you want an electric brush, get one because it feels good in your hand or because you prefer pressing buttons over rubbing bristles.

 But if you use a manual brush instead of an electric one, there won’t be any negative side effects on your health. 

So feel free to choose based on what feels best rather than what some salesperson tries to sell you.

The Everyone knows what they do. myth

Many of us think that when we go to the dentist and get them check out our teeth, they’ll tell us if something is wrong with our gums or mouth. 

Truthfully, there are a number of dental conditions that your dentist will not be able to see with just a normal visual inspection. 

As an example, gum disease cannot be diagnosed by looking at your gums in person.

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 Instead, dentists need x-rays (radiographs) to see potential problems inside your mouth and sometimes even underneath your gums. 

This is why you should always have your teeth checked by a professional dentist at least twice per year – more often if necessary! 

Electric toothbrushes are one option available for individuals who want to improve their oral health at home. 

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They vary on price and quality but can also provide great results if used regularly. What side effects could using an electric toothbrush have? 

There may be some possible negative side effects associated with using an electric toothbrush so it’s important to remember that while brushing your teeth regularly can help maintain good oral health, improper use can potentially cause more harm than good. 

Some adverse side effects from overusing electric toothbrushes include: Overusing: Excessive use of these types of brushes has been shown to damage sensitive tissues within your mouth causing irritation and resulting in bleeding gums. 

Chewing toothpaste: If you like to chew on your brush rather than actually brushing then stop immediately!

The I can just buy the same model my dentist uses. myth

Dentists and hygienists are trained professionals. They will often have better electric toothbrushes than can be purchased over-the-counter. 

However, not all electric toothbrushes are created equal. You want to make sure you find one that’s designed for your mouth and meets your individual needs. 

Top 10 Electric Toothbrush Side Effects

For example, some electric toothbrushes offer two or more cleaning modes, making it easy to focus on hard-to-reach areas of your mouth or tackle an especially dirty day of dental hygiene. 

ionic toothbrush side effects

Another perk? Some companies allow you to create an account with them and track your oral health progress over time—making it easier to keep up with habits like flossing daily and brushing for a set amount of time each day. 

There's even evidence suggesting electric toothbrushes may reduce gingivitis, a common gum disease that causes inflammation and is triggered by bacterial buildup.

 An electric toothbrush has been shown to clean between 4 mm and 12 mm into crevices where traditional brushes simply can't reach. 

Keeping your teeth healthy from both above and below their surface makes it much less likely that plaque will lead to cavities (which must be filled) or periodontal disease (which can require surgeries).

 Ultimately, if money isn't an issue, then there’s no need to feel intimidated by electric toothbrushes because they do provide additional benefits in addition to being able to reach further back in your mouth than regular brushes.

The My kid can use it. myth

One of the biggest myths about electric toothbrushes is that they’re just for kids. Kids may get excited about buying a toothbrush with a different color scheme and flashing lights, but don’t let your dentist talk you into one of these! 

It’s not going to clean your teeth any better, and in fact it can make it harder to establish good brushing habits because of how long you have to spend with an electric toothbrush compared to a manual one.

 Plus, if kids are using an electric toothbrush their technique could be off putting bacteria in deeper than usual.

is an electric toothbrush better for receding gums

 If your child really wants to use an electric brush, make sure they only use it until their adult teeth come in and then help them switch back to a manual brush as soon as possible.

 The change will still seem like fun, so they won’t mind. The reason your kid doesn’t need an electric toothbrush is exactly why you do—it’s too easy to end up spending more time fiddling with settings or making funny faces at yourself in a mirror than actually cleaning your teeth properly. 

Most people don't notice improvements on softer enamel when switching from manual to electric; just stick with what works best for you. 

Also remember that children under 6 years old should use a tiny brush head regardless of whether it's electric or not, says Dye.

The They all do more or less the same thing. myth

The short answer is no. The long answer is there are two main types of electric toothbrushes (and hundreds of variations on those two categories). 

One type oscillates, which means it moves side to side at an extremely fast speed, while a sonic brush moves back and forth (not all that fast) at an ultrasonic frequency. 

Most dentists agree both styles do a great job cleaning teeth, but from there it gets confusing. Do you need sonic? Does an oscillating one work just as well? 

And what about brush heads and other extras like UV lights or Bluetooth capabilities? 

Here's how to know what will fit your needs Invest in a quality, mid-priced option for best results (try Philips Sonicare Flex Care+ Diamond Clean Rechargeable Toothbrush ).

 It’s not necessary to spend more than $200 for any electric toothbrush—save your cash for things like whitening strips and better dental insurance. 

Top 10 Electric Toothbrush Side Effects

can an electric toothbrush cause gum recession

If you want remote control: You can get one of each; they don’t interfere with each other. If you have sensitive gums: You can use either kind. 

If you want whiter teeth: Only sonic brushes offer light therapy—an added bonus if spot-bleaching is important to you but far from a requirement for healthy gum tissue around every bristle on your brush head.

How long should you brush for?

Most people brush their teeth for an insufficient amount of time and don’t even realize it. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day to avoid plaque build-up, gum disease, and tooth decay.

 People typically spend just 30 seconds brushing one quadrant of their mouth at a time—not nearly enough time to adequately clean their mouth. 

Those who do spend longer on their oral health usually tend to have better dental checkups.

can electric toothbrush cause receding gums

 A study published in General Dentistry found that individuals who brushed longer (3 minutes versus 1 minute) had fewer cavities than those who brushed for less time. 

The extra minute was spent focusing on cleaning hard-to-reach places like under gums and along the back of teeth where bacteria are known to thrive. 

In other words, if you think you’re doing a good job brushing when you spend only 30 seconds or so on each side of your mouth, think again! 

Aim to brush every area inside and out for up to 2 minutes each. Don’t forget about flossing either! Do not skip daily flossing – even if you use an electric toothbrush! 

It is important to remove food particles from between your teeth with floss before they turn into harmful bacteria. This will keep them from making acid which erodes enamel.

Proper technique – holding and moving the electric toothbrush head

When you brush your teeth, you need to be sure that you are brushing properly.

 The electric toothbrush makes it easier to brush all of your teeth in a short amount of time, but if you do not use it correctly, it could hurt your gums and even damage your teeth. 

You should hold and move the electric toothbrush head in a back-and-forth or circular motion across each tooth using light pressure for two minutes at least twice daily.

 This will remove plaque from both the tops and sides of your teeth to keep them looking their best and healthy. Never press too hard while using an electric toothbrush because doing so can harm your gums.

Top 10 Electric Toothbrush Side Effects

 If you find you’re having trouble reaching certain areas with an electric toothbrush head, consider trying another type of tool instead such as a tongue scraper to clean areas difficult to reach with an electric toothbrush alone. 

In addition, people who wear braces may have trouble reaching certain spots on their teeth, so they may want to consider other options as well in order to clean all parts of their mouth thoroughly enough.

 Proper electric toothbrush storage: Because there is electricity involved with electric toothbrushes, proper care needs to be taken when storing them away after use.

You can get the plaque off your teeth with an electric toothbrush, but...

There are many side effects of electric toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes can reduce plaque, which could lead to fewer cavities. 

They also help you brush for a longer time, which is more effective. However, they can also cause damage to your gums and don't clean between teeth as well as manual brushes do.

 Electric toothbrushes are one of many oral health aids that you should use in addition to a manual brush because they aren't nearly as effective alone.

are electric toothbrushes bad

 You may choose an electric brush if you have sensitive teeth or have limited manual dexterity because these brushes tend to be easier to hold and handle than manual ones are. 

Electric toothbrushes might not be right for you if you're looking for a better dental hygiene alternative.

 Also, some models require batteries, which adds cost and inconvenience over a manual brush unless it comes with its own charging station. 

electric toothbrush sensitive teeth

If these types of electric toothbrushes work better for you then great but make sure you still remember to floss and check your mouth regularly at home or during office visits with our dentist in Winston Salem NC so we can catch problems before they become serious problems. 

Our dentists care about your long term dental health so we'll let you know how often it's best to visit us!