04 February 2024 , 08:00
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A dentist has warned that a frequent mistake people make when using an electric toothbrush can result in tooth loss.
Electric toothbrushes have risen in popularity dramatically thanks to their superior cleaning capabilities. They remove plaque, which can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss, more efficiently than a manual brush and long term use has been proven to slow down these oral issues.
However we need to be careful how we are using them and a dentist has warned that a common mistake people make when brushing can actually cause all the problems we hope to overcome.
Chief Orthodontist of Impress, Dr Khaled Kasem, urges caution over the technique you use when brushing with an electric toothbrush and he says that we should never use it in the same way as the manual variety.
"Electric toothbrushes are there to do the job for you, so using it like a manual toothbrush and brushing too hard will cause damage to your gums," he says. He reveals that if used in the same way as a manual, it can actually damage your gums which can lead to catastrophic results.
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"It can also cause your gums to recede, resulting in tooth loss," he says. But it's easy to ensure you aren't making this mistake, which involves much less effort too. He explains: "When using an electric toothbrush you should place it on each tooth, at a 45 degree angle, hold it for three to five seconds and move on to the next one."
Other errors people make with their oral health include when they are brushing. Everyone knows it's recommended to brush twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, but when you choose to do that is also important. Most people brush before or after breakfast and although it's fine to do that, there's a vital thing to remember.
Dr Kasem advises: "If you're brushing after breakfast then it's important that you wait at least half an hour. This is because the breakfast you consume will contain acid and will most likely wear down the enamel if you brush straight away. Waiting half an hour allows the enamel to build itself back up, reducing the risk of causing any damage to your teeth."
He also says changing your toothbrush head every three to four months is essential because the bristles wear down, making it less efficient and possibly causing damage to gums. Make sure you rinse the head thoroughly after brushing too as bacteria can build up.
Lastly Dr Kasem wants to remind people how beneficial flossing once a day is because it can reach parts of the mouth the toothbrush can’t. Ideally you should floss at night just before you brush.
Have you been using an electric toothbrush like a manual? Let us know in the comments below.