Oral healthcare has seen remarkable advancements. One such innovation that has gained significant popularity is the electric toothbrush; designed to add a little buzz to your daily dental routine. In the debate around manual versus electric toothbrushes, the latter is revolutionising the way we maintain our oral hygiene.
The merits of electric toothbrushes over manual toothbrushes are worth exploring - for children and adults alike. Dentists are quick to recommend them, and as they become more mainstream and affordable, there are a variety of options to choose from.
A healthier smile at the touch of a button
Electric toothbrushes do a really good job of cleaning your teeth, removing plaque, reducing cavities and gently stimulating your gums.
Operating on a rechargeable battery and utilising oscillating technology and high-frequency vibrations to create rapid brush movements are what set electric toothbrushes apart from their traditional manual counterparts.
There are various types available catering to individual preferences and budgets. (Let's 'brush' up on some of the lingo).
- Rotating head electric toothbrushes have a small, round brush head that rotates in a circular motion. The bristles move in a back-and-forth spinning motion to clean your teeth. They are generally effective at removing plaque and debris.
- Oscillating head toothbrushes have brush heads that rotate in one direction and then reverse to rotate in the opposite direction. This creates a pulsating motion that helps dislodge plaque and food particles from your teeth.
- Sonic brushes use high-speed vibrations to create a dynamic cleaning action, the bristles vibrate at a very high frequency which generates a fluid movement to clean both the teeth and the areas between them. Sonic toothbrushes also create waves in the saliva, which can help disrupt and remove plaque.
- Ultrasonic/Hydrosonic electric toothbrushes take sonic technology a step further by vibrating at an even higher frequency (from 22,000 - 42,000 rotations per minute). These vibrations are typically beyond the range of human hearing and create tiny bubbles in the cleaning fluid (saliva, water, toothpaste), which implode and generate powerful cleaning forces to ensure effective cleaning of interdental spaces and yet are still ultra soft and gentle on teeth and gums.
The industry ‘buzz’ around electric toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes conveniently simplify and optimise your daily oral care routine. They are so easy to use - making them an excellent choice for children, the elderly and those with dexterity issues. There are also those specially designed to be safe and effective for individuals with braces.
Electric toothbrushes include innovative built-in features to enhance the user experience and enable better monitoring of brushing habits.
- Some come with built-in timers that ensure you brush for the recommended duration. You also don’t have to worry too much about your brushing technique as the electric toothbrush’s oscillating technology does that for you.
- Some even have pressure sensors, multiple brushing modes and smart connectivity to smartphone apps.
While this translates to a higher upfront cost, the long-term benefits of an electric toothbrush justify the investment. For added convenience, there are options that come with colour-coded, interchangeable heads, making this the only scenario when ‘sharing’ a toothbrush makes sense. (The recommended time fro replacing your brush head is every 3-4 months).
Get your online ‘buzz’ at Smile Shop
As South Africa’s first online store dedicated to bringing you an ever-growing range of premium home dental care products, Smile Shop is where you can browse our range of electric toothbrushes to suit your and your family's individual needs.
From pretty in pink (with a nifty travel pouch) or rose gold to marble art, electric toothbrushes are having a designer moment.
If you prefer a simple functional option that doesn’t need to make a fashion statement, our range of recommended electric toothbrushes will undoubtedly meet your requirements and budget.
And let's not forget the little ones; they also deserve to get excited about brushing their teeth with our usmile electric toothbrush for kids aged 3-12 years.