If you’ve recently switched from a manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush, you may be wondering if you should be brushing your teeth differently now. The short answer is: yes.
Around two-thirds of British adults now use an electric toothbrush, according to the Oral Health Foundation. Since most of us learn how to brush our teeth with a manual toothbrush when we’re very young, those brushing habits can stay with us when we make the switch to an electric toothbrush. And that can be bad news for your teeth.
Using an electric toothbrush like it’s a manual toothbrush, brushing with too much force, or forgetting to replace your toothbrush head regularly, these are just some of the mistakes we tend to make after the switch. And this can lead to poor cleaning, damaged tooth enamel, receding gums, or sensitive teeth.
Our guide will show you how to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush correctly for a thorough clean, from the angle of the brush, to how long you should be brushing. We’ll also take you through some of the key features you should look for, and provide you with tips on maintaining your electric toothbrush.
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What are the benefits of electric toothbrushes?
Although good technique is essential whether you use electric or manual toothbrushes, the evidence stacks up in favour of electric toothbrushes. A systematic review of clinical trials in 2022 found that powered toothbrushes were far more effective than manual toothbrushes for removing dental plaque.
Electric toothbrushes also tend to improve brushing time, with electric users brushing for around ten seconds longer than manual users. And studies have found that using an electric toothbrush is more effective at combating gingivitis and protecting tooth enamel in people who have orthodontic treatment, such as braces.
Bupa Dental Care dentist, Faizan Zaheer, advises there are certain situations in which an electric toothbrush may be better than a manual brush: “An electric brush may be best if you tend to brush harshly, have limited mobility, or if your dentist has advised improving the quality of your brushing.”
There is also less plastic waste with electric toothbrushes, as you’re just replacing the head every three months, instead of a whole toothbrush.
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What’s the best way to use an electric toothbrush?
1. Clean twice a day, for two minutes
Dental experts recommend brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, with a pea-sized blob of toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride.
2. Clean thoroughly, across all the teeth
The most important thing to remember is to work systematically across all the teeth, gently brushing the inside and outside surfaces. It’s a good idea to think of your teeth as divided into four quadrants, for example:
- First quadrant is the outside of your upper teeth.
- Second quadrant is the inside of your upper teeth.
- Third quadrant is the outside of your lower teeth.
- Fourth quadrant is the inside of your lower teeth.
Spending 30 seconds on each of these quadrants will ensure you don’t accidentally miss out on any spots.
Most electric toothbrushes come with quadrant pacers. These sound a beep, or insert a pause or stutter in the brushing cycle, prompting you to move to the next quadrant. If you don’t have an electric toothbrush with a quadrant pacer, try setting a timer on your phone for 30 seconds at a time.
1. Angle the brush head
Hold the brush head at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, towards the gum line. This area is a hotspot for plaque build-up – a sticky film that forms on the teeth – and failing to remove plaque effectively can lead to cavities, gingivitis, and even tooth loss.
By angling the brush in this way, you’re also reducing the risk of developing periodontal gum disease, which can also lead to tooth loss.
2. Keep it light
It’s tempting to brush hard in the mistaken belief that you’ll be cleaning away more plaque, but it won’t do your teeth any good. Brushing too hard can wear away the enamel on your teeth, leading to gum recession.
These days, many electric toothbrushes come with a pressure sensor that sounds an alarm or flashes when too much pressure is applied. Don’t ignore these warnings, and make a note of where you’re more likely to apply pressure while brushing your teeth.
3. Don’t forget the biting surfaces
Once you’ve cleaned all your quadrants, go back and clean the biting surfaces of your teeth, making sure you cover all the pits and hollows within them. You can also run the toothbrush over your tongue for a fresher feeling. Some toothbrush heads even feature a ridged panel at the back of the head for this specific purpose.
4. Don’t rinse, just spit
It’s a myth that you need to rinse out the residual toothpaste in your mouth. Simply spitting and not rinsing actually allows the fluoride in the toothpaste to protect your teeth for longer.
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What features should I look for in an electric toothbrush?
There are effective electric toothbrushes for every budget, but the price can vary wildly. Some battery-operated toothbrushes are available for under £10, while electric toothbrushes that use artificial intelligence to improve brushing techniques can retail for over £200.
