Toothbrush Heads Help Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is a serious problem caused by inflammation of the gums and can lead to tooth loss, bone damage and even systemic health problems like heart attacks. It can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly, including having your teeth professionally cleaned and taking prescribed medications to treat gum disease as recommended by your dentist.

While some people can be prone to gum disease (such as those who lost their teeth as a child or have health conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis) anyone can reduce the risk of gum disease by practicing good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once per day are key to maintaining good oral health. Using an electric toothbrush with special bristle heads can help remove plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach areas of the mouth which can cause gum disease.

Compared to manual toothbrushes, how to use an electric toothbrush heads use oscillating or rotating motions to dislodge plaque from teeth and reach the pockets in between your teeth where food particles can collect. These movements are also gentler on your gums than traditional brushing techniques. In fact, several studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes at reducing dental plaque and gingivitis in the short and long term.

Can Electric Toothbrush Heads Help Prevent Gum Disease?

There are several types of electric toothbrush heads to choose from that are designed to meet your specific oral care needs. For example, some have specialty bristles to target certain dental problems like whitening, sensitive teeth and crooked or misaligned teeth. Other electric toothbrush heads are specialized for removing plaque from the hard-to-reach areas of the teeth and some feature antimicrobial protection to fight against bacteria such as F. nucleatum which causes gum disease.

If you choose to use an electric toothbrush, it’s important to change the brush head every three months to maintain the highest level of cleanliness and efficacy. A survey by sustainable health brand SURI found that nearly half of all electric toothbrush users in the UK fail to replace their toothbrush head regularly, which reduces the effectiveness of their brush.

Gum recession can occur for a number of reasons, including hormone changes during pregnancy or menopause, genetics and ageing. Gum tissue becomes thinner and less elastic with age and can also be affected by medications such as high blood pressure or steroids. Using an electric toothbrush may not cure receding gums, but it can help to prevent the progression and recurrence of gum recession by stimulating blood flow to the gum tissues.

To get the most benefit from your electric toothbrush, we recommend you dispense a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto the bristles and start by brushing with your mouth closed. Then, use the brush to trace around all of your teeth and gum line at a 45-degree angle and continue to brush until you are finished. For best results, brush in a circular motion and be sure to gently massage the gum tissue while you are cleaning your teeth.