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Electric Toothbrushes

Cleaning your teeth is important, and while manual toothbrushes can work well if used carefully, electric toothbrushes have some advantages. They use a motor to make more brush strokes, which helps remove more bacteria from your teeth. This can make it less likely for you to have tooth decay or gum disease.

Some electric toothbrushes also create sound waves that can kill bacteria, even in areas where the bristles might miss. They may also tell you when it’s time to switch areas of your mouth, and when you can stop brushing.

Electric toothbrushes are especially helpful for people with arthritis or other conditions that make it hard to use a manual toothbrush.

Ask your dentist if an electric toothbrush would be good for you. And remember, even if you brush well, you still need to floss every day to prevent gum disease and tooth decay between your teeth.

Author: Thomas J. Greany, D.D.S. / Editor: Ken Lambrecht

This page was last updated on May 8, 2023.