Peter A. Pate, DDSMost of our patients know we advocate excellent home hygiene habits. We also believe that proper tools will help you at home, just like the best professional dental technology helps us in the office. Battery-powered toothbrushes remove bacteria on and between teeth, and even below the gum line. An electric toothbrush will remove 92 percent of your plaque in just one minute, and it’s safe for cosmetic and restorative dentistry, as well as for braces.
Remember that your mouth is continually supplied with oral bacteria. Bacteria deposit plaque on your teeth that, left untouched, hardens into calculus or tartar. Tartar irritates the gums, initiating the process of gum disease. While regular brushing techniques seldom reach plaque's favorite hiding places, like just below the gumline and between the teeth, power toothbrushes have been clinically proven to reduce plaque and thereby minimize both calculus build up and gingivitis. They're designed to provide simple, effective, consistent access to even the hardest-to-reach places, including around orthodontics, appliances, and restorations without scrubbing, special toothpastes, or fancy techniques.
In fact, power toothbrushes require less pressure than non-powered toothbrushes, because their rotary action brush tips clean effectively with just a touch to the tooth surface. Simply hold the brush tip so that it meets the gum line and tooth surface at a 90-degree angle, move it slowly across all tooth surfaces, and then rinse your mouth thoroughly. Some patients notice a slight tingling sensation or even mild bleeding initially, due to stimulation of slightly diseased or sensitive tissues. However, this will pass with consistent use.
Power toothbrushes come with several different brush heads designed to accommodate various dentitions, orthodontics, and gum conditions. Do you travel often? A power toothbrush can be packed easily into a suitcase, or you can order a specially-designed travel case to keep it clean and safe during transport.