Use Power Toothbrushes for Cleaner Teeth

As a dental hygienist, I am asked often if power toothbrushes are better than "regular" or manual toothbrushes. My answer is always "Yes." There are situations that make them even more beneficial to a large portion of the population as well. But everyone who asks wants to know what makes them work so well, and just who will benefit the most from a power toothbrush.

When I clean a patient's teeth, I use an ultrasonic scaler, called a cavitron, to loosen calculus (tartar) and plaque buildup from around the teeth and gums. Power toothbrushes work in much the same way. The mechanical action of power toothbrushes can loosen plaque before it has a chance to adhere firmly to the surface of the tooth. While proper brushing with a manual toothbrush can do this too, a power toothbrush rotates or vibrates up to hundreds of times per second, depending on the brand and model, much faster than the human hand can move.

Power toothbrushes are especially helpful for persons with limited motor skills. The elderly and the disabled often have a difficult time gripping a manual toothbrush and may lack muscle control to hold it firmly enough to remove a significant amount of the plaque and bacteria that is coating their teeth. A power toothbrush, however, does the work for them. The large handle is usually easy to grip for hands stricken with arthritis or poor muscle tone, making a power toothbrush an integral part of a healthy dental routine.

People who have sensitive teeth due to gum recession can also benefit from using a power toothbrush. Gum recession is most often caused by a scrubbing motion when using a manual toothbrush. The gums are, in effect, brushed away, exposing the delicate root surface of the teeth. This root surface, in turn, begins to wear away, creating a notched effect above the enamel of the teeth. Many dental patients think this is a cavity caused from decay in their teeth, and we have to explain that it is actually long-term damage caused from vigorous brushing. Much of the time this area is very sensitive to hot, cold, and even to touch. Brushing can be uncomfortable and eating ice cream is unbearable. Using a power toothbrush, however, will stop the destructive behavior since no amount of friction is required to operate it, as it is with the manual toothbrush. Usually the sensitivity decreases, especially when sensitivity toothpaste, fluoride, or other products are used to decrease the sensitive areas.

Power toothbrushes are also beneficial to those who wear braces and people who tend to collect a heavy amount of stain from smoking, coffee, or other habits. Braces are especially difficult to keep clean, and require a significant daily time commitment to maintain a healthy, plaque-free mouth. Power toothbrushes can increase the amount of plaque that is removed under the wires and in between brackets, helping prevent the bleeding gums and decay that are common, especially in teens who may not pay a great deal of attention to their oral health anyway. The sonic power toothbrushes (Sonicare, Oral-B Sonic) are especially beneficial in cleaning around braces because the oscillating brushes will not effectively clean under the wires. Stains are also kept under control better with power toothbrushes. Because the teeth are more effectively cleaned, stains can't adhere as well to the smooth, clean enamel surface, thereby keeping the surface of teeth whiter and brighter.

All things considered, power toothbrushes benefit everyone who use them. They do a better job than we can with a manual toothbrush, so I recommend them to everyone who asks. Though the cost is sometimes a deterrent (they can cost $90 and up), Oral-B has recently introduced the Oral-B Vitality, a model that is under $20. So, shop around, ask your dentist or dental hygienist, and start "power brushing" for a cleaner mouth today.