If you’re looking for a quick way to enhance the appearance of your smile, you might be considering switching from your manual toothbrush to an electric toothbrush. Not only are electric toothbrushes more effective at removing plaque, but many make the process even simpler by adding in a timer to let you know when you’ve brushed your teeth for the optimal amount of time.
But when misused, an electric toothbrush can actually cause more harm than good.
Using an electric toothbrush won’t damage your teeth — but misusing one can lead to tooth damage, sensitivity, and gum recession. If you’re considering investing in an electric toothbrush, keep reading as Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry explains how to prevent tooth damage when brushing your teeth.
How to Safely Use an Electric Toothbrush
You might think the harder you brush your teeth, the more plaque you’ll remove and the cleaner your teeth will be. However, you should avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth when you brush (whether using a manual or electric toothbrush), or you could be causing irreversible damage.
When brushing your teeth, allow the toothbrush to guide your hand and do all of the work. You shouldn’t be pushing the toothbrush against your teeth but merely guiding it along and softly massaging your teeth. And with an electric toothbrush, you don’t need to scrub up and down because the brush’s vibrations will do that for you — making your job even easier!
You mustn’t be too rough on your teeth as you brush them. If you are, you might find yourself with scratched or damaged enamel on your teeth. This can be detrimental to your oral hygiene because once the enamel is worn away, it’s unable to be restored, which leads to significant problems and sensitivity for your teeth down the line.
Look for an electric toothbrush that helps you prevent putting too much pressure on your teeth and minimizes the risk of damaging your enamel. Some electric toothbrushes feature a sensor that notifies you when too much pressure is being applied so you can lighten up your movements and brush more gently.
Call Dr. Rath for Cosmetic Dentistry in Billings Montana
Have you been applying too much pressure with your electric toothbrush and suspect you’ve caused irreversible damage to your teeth? The Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team can examine your smile and determine the best course of treatment to reverse or halt any of the tooth damage. In more severe cases, porcelain veneers and crowns might be the best treatment option to restore your smile.
If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile, Dr. Rath and her staff can help you determine if porcelain veneers and crowns are the right solutions for you. Contact our team to schedule a free smile design consultation, during which you can sit down with Dr. Rath and have her answer any questions you might have.
