Is Your Electric Toothbrush Really Better? Experts Weigh In.

One of the big divides when it comes to oral care is this:  should you use an electric or a manual toothbrush?  Which one is better for your teeth and gums, and which one is really more convenient?  The answer to these questions may not be what you expect.

From The Experts

The ADA (American Dental Association) says unless you have trouble using your hands, a manual toothbrush is just as effective as an electric.

Consumer Reports dental adviser Jay W. Friedman, D.D.S., M.P.H. says, “it really doesn’t matter which brush you use.” Just don’t get carried away. “Excessive brushing with manual or electric has its risks,” Friedman says. “Too much pressure and too frequent brushing can abrade enamel, or the root if the gum has receded.” This abrasion, he says, can cause teeth to become hypersensitive to hot and/or cold.

So Why All The Hype?

First and foremost, electric toothbrushes are cool (and heavily marketed that way). We agree that an electric toothbrush can be easier to use than a manual one for those with arthritis or a dexterity problem that makes thorough brushing difficult. Between the wide handle and the motor, an electric toothbrush is particularly helpful for people with limited mobility in their hands.

Effectiveness

With a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, the technique is much more important than design.  If you can get your brush into all the gaps between your teeth and if you brush correctly - at a 45 degree angle and with the right pressure (150 grams) for around two minutes, then there’s virtually no difference between the two. Studies have shown, time and again that electric and manual toothbrushes are equally effective.

According to Consumer Reports dental adviser Jay W. Friedman, D.D.S., M.P.H., “it really doesn’t matter which brush you use.” And in terms of plaque, “we really don’t know that it matters if a little more or less plaque is removed,” he says.

Overbrushing Risk

When using either a manual or an electric brush, it’s easy to overbrush and cause damage to enamel and gums. And the extra energy an electric toothbrush delivers can may make matters worse. An electric toothbrush can be perfectly safe if you use it correctly, but many people have trouble doing so. 

The Bottom Line

While electric toothbrushes are “cool” and have been heavily marketed as superior, the truth is that manual toothbrushes are cheaper, travel better, and are just as effective. Unless you have trouble using your hands, there’s no difference in effectiveness according to the independent experts.

The real risk regardless of what type of toothbrush you choose are the dangers of aggressive brushing on enamel and gums. ZentFlex is the only toothbrush with a patented click-joint that snaps back when you apply too much pressure (more than 150 grams), so you’ll always know when you’re brushing right and when you need to back off.

The Evolution of the Toothbrush: The First Real Innovation to the Toothbrush in Decades

The toothbrush serves as the first line of defense for our oral health, yet why hasn’t there been any real innovation in recent years? Does the toothbrush really need to be improved? A quick look at history suggests that the search  for the perfect toothbrush has been an ongoing goal for centuries. The question is, are we there yet?

The very first toothbrush dates as far back as 3,500 B.C.E. Our native ancestors used  “chew sticks" as a way to clean and sterilize their teeth and gums. Um, no thank you.

When we fast forward a few millennia to 1498,  we arrive at human history’s first bristled toothbrush. Sure, the bristles were made from the hair of wild boar, but it was at least a start. Small innovations to the type of bristles were tested ranging from horse hair to linens. These toothbrushes were certainly an improvement to the "chew stick," but it could be argued that “teeth were being mopped rather than brushed.”

Another time hop to 1960 and we have the first American-made electric toothbrush. First introduced to us by GE, the electric toothbrush has seen improvements made most popular by companies like Philips Sonicare and Quip. Even touted by some companies such as Quip as the "perfect toothbrush", the electric toothbrush has seen little improvement to the actual toothbrush itself. Rather, electric toothbrush innovation has been centered around safety, battery life, and brushing speed- none of which actually improve oral health outcomes. According to an exhaustive joint study completed by Witten/Herdecke University and the University of Texas, electric toothbrushes cause the largest amount of abrasive damage to your teeth.

Enter 2020 and we have the first real innovation to the toothbrush since 1960! ZentFlex’s patented, click-joint technology ensures that the perfect pressure is applied to your teeth and gums every time you brush. By gently snapping back when too much pressure is applied, the ZentFlex toothbrush protects your mouth from the harmful side effects of brushing too hard. Don’t just take our word for it. Gene Romo, DDS, a Chicago-based dentist and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association (ADA) had this to say about brushing too hard:

“Brushing too hard — or using the wrong toothbrush — can damage your teeth and gums, leading to problems like enamel wear and receding gums, which can in turn lead to tooth sensitivity. People tend to brush aggressively, thinking it’s the only way they can get their teeth to feel clean and look whiter. Not only does it cause recession of your gums, but you're also wearing away the white, glossy enamel on your teeth, making them look yellow and darker.” 

So, are we there yet? If you’re looking for the perfect toothbrush to best take care of your gums and teeth, then yes, yes we are. Check us out at ZentFlex to see what brushing with the perfect pressure can do for your oral health!

3 Effective Tips For Better And Healthier Tooth Brushing

While this small but important part of our daily routine may seem like one of the easiest things to do, brushing your teeth properly is vital to maintaining a strong and healthy set of pearly whites. Though tooth brushing may not seem all too complicated for most of us, there’s actually a wrong way to do it. We owe it to ourselves to make a conscious effort to maintain our oral health. After all, we only have one set of adult teeth to take care of for the rest of our lives. From brushing techniques to picking out a soft toothbrush, we’ll list down three helpful tips you need to remember for better and healthier tooth brushing.

Don’t Brush Too Hard

Yes, there can be too much of a very good thing. Known as “brush abrasion”, brushing your teeth with too much pressure can do you a lot more harm than good. Brushing too hard can wear down the natural enamel on your teeth and damage your gums little by little. Consistently brushing your teeth too hard, which most people do without realizing it, will eventually lead to serious dental issues such as periodontal disease. To avoid brushing too hard, equip yourself with a soft toothbrush that can guide you to using the right amount of pressure. You can also employ a better brushing technique by positioning your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and brushing with soft, circular strokes.

Show Your Gums Some Love

A large percentage of the bacteria in your mouth is actually in your gumline. Gently brushing your gumline is an effective way to reduce the bad bacteria in your mouth and protect your teeth from plaque buildup. Plaque is a sticky white substance that builds up in between where your teeth meet your gums and is able to cause bad breath, tooth decay, and bad breath if you continue to neglect your gums. Your gums are an extremely sensitive part of your mouth, tend to it by brushing with a soft toothbrush to avoid any tearing or bleeding. Soft and gentle strokes against your gums will do the trick.

Pick The Right Toothbrush For You

The overwhelming amount of toothbrushes available for you to choose from on the market can definitely cause some serious choice paralysis. Remember, not all toothbrushes are created equal! Put some thought into your oral health and do some research on what toothbrush works best for you and your needs. Hard toothbrush bristles aren’t able to bend and reach the nooks and crannies deep in between your teeth, steer clear from them as much as you can. Always choose a toothbrush with soft bristles so you won’t apply too much pressure to your teeth and gums. This little detail will make the difference in how clean your mouth will be, and how healthy it will be in the long-run.

If you’re on the search for the best toothbrush there is for you out there, designed to dial in the perfect pressure to avoid damage to gums and teeth, then you might want to try a ZentFlex. It’s the only toothbrush on the market featuring a patent-pending flex joint which limits brushing pressure to 150 grams so you can get your teeth clean without causing damage. Equipped with the highest quality soft bristles for optimal brushing, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier and happier set of pearly whites in no time.

4 Steps To Take When You Have Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a serious infection of the gums that surround your teeth.  This disease can lead to gum recession, loose teeth, bone loss, cavities, bad breath, and even worse possibilities if the infection spreads into the rest of your body.  Periodontitis is not something you should ignore or treat lightly, and instead, you should take the following steps to make sure you’ll be able to keep your teeth and keep that infection from entering your bloodstream.

1.     Visit Your Dentist

If you suspect you have a serious case of gingivitis or periodontitis, don’t wait for the six-month checkup to visit your dentist.  And if you haven’t been visiting your dentist as often as you should, then now is definitely the right time to go back.  Your dentist will be able to give your mouth a thorough examination and scrape away the plaque and tartar that have built up, and they’ll know what sort of medication and other treatments you should use to cure the disease.

2.     Floss Thoroughly

Flossing does more than just remove the food stuck between your teeth, it also clears out the plaque that builds up in those spaces and along your gum line.  Gingivitis and periodontitis often begin because the bacteria that cause plaque to build up along and under your gum line, and as they get in your gums become red, swollen, and infected.  Flossing might not feel pleasant, but the worst of the pain goes away after the first couple days and it helps protect both your teeth and gums.

3.     Use A Mouth Rinse

A good mouthwash can kill bacteria in places where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach, and that’s always a good thing when you have a bacterial infection in your mouth.  In fact, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse as part of the basic treatment plan.  Still, whether it’s recommended or not you should be careful about which type of mouthwash you use and for how long.  Alcohol-based mouthwashes tend to dry the mouth out, and that can make a bacterial infection worse instead of better.

4.     Keep Brushing

Brushing can become harder when it doesn’t take much for your gums to start bleeding.  However, you shouldn’t let something like that stop you, especially since regular brushing will keep your teeth healthy and reduce the bacteria population in your mouth.  Instead, you should switch to a periodontal toothbrush with soft bristles designed to go easy on your gums and teeth.  With a periodontal toothbrush, you can continue to brush and keep any bleeding from your gums to a minimum.

One option when you’re choosing the right toothbrush is ZentFlex.  ZentFlex features a set of soft bristles that will keep your teeth and gums safe from over-brushing, and it also has a special handle that snaps back if you try to apply too much pressure.  This toothbrush can help you or your children learn how to brush the right way, and it’ll go easy on your gums when you’re dealing with periodontitis.

3 Tips For Dealing With Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a condition where the gums around your teeth have become infected with bacteria.  Bacteria is always living and growing in your mouth, but when you brush and floss properly it usually stays on the surface of your teeth and gums.  If it manages to get caught in between your teeth and gums it can lead to gingivitis and eventually periodontitis, and at that stage, it can eat away at your teeth gums, and jawbone.

The best thing to do when you notice symptoms of periodontitis is to see your dentist, but even after you’ve done that it can take a while for the condition to clear up.  Until it does, there are things you can do at home to improve your condition or at least prevent things from getting worse.  So if you’re suffering from gingivitis or periodontitis right now, be sure you follow this advice at least until the disease clears up.

1. Use An Antibacterial Mouthwash

Mouthwashes can have some issues, which is why not all dentists recommend using it.  However, when you’re currently suffering from periodontitis it’s a good idea to do what you can to cut down on the number of bacteria in your mouth.  Antibacterial mouthwash is a great way of doing that, especially since it can reach parts of your mouth that a brush and floss can’t.  However, you should also keep in mind that alcohol-based mouthwash can cause dry mouth if you use it too much, and dry mouth can make a mouth infection worse.

2. Brush Carefully

If you don’t brush, you aren’t removing the layer of plaque and bacteria that builds up on your teeth over time.  However, it’s also possible that you might be brushing too hard.  Brushing too hard can damage your gums, especially if they’re swollen and inflamed from a bacterial infection.  Fortunately, you can find a special toothbrush for gum disease that bends back so that you always know when you’re applying the right amount of pressure.

3. Floss Thoroughly

While mouthwash can reach small spaces, you need something like floss to push the plaque and bacteria out of these spaces.  Many people don’t get much benefit from flossing, but that’s only because they aren’t as thorough as they need to be.  Good flossing technique should involve rubbing against the base of both teeth when you push it into a gap and be sure to keep flossing until you get rid of all the food trapped in those spaces.  If you have trouble with regular floss, floss picks are much easier to use and convenient enough to carry around.

Periodontitis is a serious condition that can lead to permanent damage to your teeth or lost teeth.  If you leave it untreated for too long the infection can even spread into the rest of your body.  That’s why it’s important to visit a dentist when you notice symptoms like bad breath and puffy, red gums.  You should also get a good toothbrush for gum disease like the Zent Flex, and you can use it for regular brushing and teaching kids.