Greetings Patients, and Happy New Year!
With the new year come New Year’s resolutions. One resolution Dr. Chichetti and I have decided to take on is to reach out to our patients in different ways than we have in the past. It has been interesting to come out of our comfort zone and find opportunities to connect with our patients and show them we are here to support their dental health.
So, without further introduction, welcome to our Dental Blog! Dr. Chichetti and I will present information, answer questions, and touch on topics our patients have shown interest in.
Every comprehensive exam I do, the toothbrush topic always comes up. We ask it on our dental questionnaire, and with our thorough dental and tissue exams –we can tell a lot of times what type of brush you are using. Over the years, many patients have asked – Do I need an electric toothbrush? I have one, and it is broken, or I have one, and I never liked it. This leads to a pretty in-depth conversation that usually ends with the patient purchasing an electric toothbrush soon after. Given how often I have this conversation, I thought this might be a good way to start our New Year blog, with something pretty easy to do that will greatly impact your oral health.
SO, IS IT THAT MUCH BETTER?
Definitely! The electric toothbrush’s beauty is it keeps you honest and does all the work for you. Most brands come with the handy 2-minute timer, so there is no cheating; you keep brushing until the timer goes off. You also have to make minimal motions with your hands – guide the brush over every tooth surface and the gumline as well, and just let it do the work. We can’t recreate this motion of an electric toothbrush with a manual toothbrush. Studies have shown the difference in the efficacy of an electric toothbrush versus manual brushing. The science supports this, and you will feel the difference. One other cool thing, most models will buzz at you if you are brushing aggressively – so no more worries if you are brushing too hard or not hard enough.
NO TWO MOUTHS ARE ALIKE. . .
Many electric brushes offer different cycle options and brush heads to suit every type of mouth. Sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, small mouths, kids, whitening, and a wide variety of other options.
WHAT IS THE MAINTENANCE?
We recommend changing the brush head every 3 months on average. Some brush heads come with an indicator that will let you know when it needs to be replaced. The good quality electric brushes come with a lithium-ion battery and a charger that make it easy to keep your brush powered and ready to go. The warranties on these brushes are pretty good as well. Just remember to register your brush with the manufacturer.
ARE THEY EXPENSIVE?
A good quality electric brush can range from the more basic models at $20.00 all the way up to $250 for the models with all the bells and whistles. They all do basically the same job, but some of the accessories can be helpful – USB chargers, different cycle options, multiple brush heads, and blue tooth sensors that track how you are brushing. The choices can be daunting, so our team can help you narrow down a brush that will best serve your needs.
I hope this post was helpful, and inspired you to make an investment in your oral health in the new year. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit, and please let us know if we can do anything to help you better your oral health in the New Year!
Best wishes,
Dr. Patel
