4 Mistakes You're Likely Making When Brushing With an Electric Toothbrush

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When you brush your teeth in the morning and at night, does your mind tend to wander? If the answer is yes, you may not be paying close enough attention to what you're doing, which can lead to mistakes -- especially if you're using an electric toothbrush. While opting for an electric toothbrush instead of a manual version can make your life easier and provide various benefits, it can be easy to use one incorrectly.

To ensure you're getting your pearly whites as clean as possible, these are the steps you should follow when brushing with an electric toothbrush, along with common mistakes you might be making.

How to use an electric toothbrush correctly

Ready to make the switch to a powered toothbrush? Or, are you ready to learn how to use yours correctly? Fortunately, using one of these brushes is relatively simple and requires no more effort than using a manual toothbrush. 

1. Make sure your toothbrush is charged. Your electric toothbrush should have an indicator that lights when it is charged. 
   
2. Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and begin brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Hold the brush's rotating heads against each tooth for 2 to 5 seconds before moving on to the next one. 
   
3. After brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth, move to the inside surfaces, holding your brush's rotating heads against these surfaces for two to five seconds before moving on to the next. 
   
4. Next, hold your brush's head against the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Hold your brush against these surfaces for a few seconds each before moving on to the next tooth. 
   
5. You're not done yet. Run the rotating heads of your electric toothbrush along your gum line and on your gums. This will remove any remaining plaque in your mouth. 
   
6. As a final step, gently brush the roof of your mouth and tongue. This is a good way to remove stubborn food particles, and brushing these areas of your mouth can also help freshen your breath.
   

Brushing with an electric toothbrush is just as easy as using a manual one -- with the right instructions.

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Common mistakes made when using an electric toothbrush

While it's easy to use an electric toothbrush, there are still mistakes you should avoid when brushing your teeth. Here are the most common: 

1. Not brushing long enough

Don't rush your brush. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a brush with soft bristles. Rushing this makes it more likely that you won't scrub away enough of the plaque that builds on your teeth. 

2. Not replacing a worn toothbrush head

Don't overuse the heads of your electric toothbrush. The ADA recommends you change these heads every three to four months. If the bristles on these heads are frayed or matted, you should replace them immediately, even if you've used them for less than three months.

3. Brushing too hard

You might be tempted to push down hard when you brush your teeth, but this can have detrimental effects on your teeth and gums. Brushing too hard can wear down your gums and teeth. That could reduce the enamel on your teeth, making them overly sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Brushing too hard could also cause your gums to recede. 

4. Using the wrong toothbrush

You can effectively brush your teeth with either an electric or a manual toothbrush. You will need to use the right brush. The ADA recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a long handle that allows you to reach the back of your mouth.

Do you want to make sure your toothbrush is up to snuff? Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Brushes approved by the American Dental Association feature a seal on their packaging.

An electric toothbrush can be easier for kids to use because of the built-in timers.

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Electric toothbrush benefits

There are several advantages to using an electric toothbrush, like manageability and effectiveness. Here are some of the most important: 

Electric toothbrushes might be more effective

Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes may more efficiently prevent tooth decay. 

In 2014, the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed 56 clinical trials of unsupervised toothbrushing involving more than 5,000 subjects, including both adults and children. Researchers found that individuals who used an electric toothbrush for one to three months experienced an 11% reduction in plaque compared to those who used a manual toothbrush for the same period.

Another study that followed adults for 11 years also found that participants who used an electric toothbrush had healthier teeth. The 2019 study, conducted by researchers at the University of Greifswald in Germany, found that those who used electric toothbrushes had healthier gums and kept 19% more teeth throughout the study than those who used manual brushes.

A better choice for young children

Children often struggle to clean their teeth properly with a manual toothbrush. They might get bored before finishing the recommended 2 minutes of brushing, making it easier for plaque to build up on their teeth. An electric toothbrush can help. Because the heads of such brushes rotate in different directions, they provide more brushing power and can more effectively remove plaque in a shorter time. Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers, allowing younger children to know when they've reached the 2-minute mark. 

More effective at removing plaque if you have braces

Do you have braces? If so, an electric toothbrush might be the better choice for your dental health. A study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that participants who used a manual toothbrush after getting braces were more likely to accumulate more plaque and an increased risk of gingivitis than those who used electric toothbrushes.

Better at removing plaque in general

Your goal when brushing your teeth is to remove as much plaque as possible. That's because the bacteria in plaque eat away at your teeth's protective enamel. Your teeth are more likely to suffer decay, and you're more likely to experience painful cavities if you don't remove this plaque. 

Easier to use for some

An electric toothbrush might be easier to use for people with chronic pain or disabilities. That's because the brushes' rotating heads do most of the brushing. With manual toothbrushes, you have to do the brushing work yourself.