Could Your Electric Toothbrush Be Causing Damage?

Electric toothbrushes, as well as manual ones, can be very effective if used correctly. However, if you’re like most people and brush too hard, you could be causing damage to teeth and gums without knowing it. And all the extra power of an electric toothbrush could be making matters worse. In a recent independent study, electric toothbrushes caused the largest amount of damage to tooth surfaces when just 200 grams of pressure was applied (most people apply 200 to 300+).

So how hard should you brush?

According to The Journal of Clinical Periodontology, “Two minutes and 150 grams was the optimum time and pressure for the average person’s brushing regime.” Unfortunately, "It is virtually impossible for the average user to gauge how much pressure they are applying during their brushing regime.” says Dr. Peter Heasman, world renowned dentist and researcher.

There are some expensive electric toothbrushes that beep, light up, or stop when you brush too hard, but none physically prevent overbrushing. An alternative is a toothbrush made by Zent with a pressure sensitive, click-joint that limits brushing pressure to 150 grams.

But Electric Toothbrushes Are Better…Aren’t They?

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.

The Bottom Line

If you’re using good technique, brushing twice a day for about 2 minutes each time, with 150 grams of pressure, then you’re all set regardless of what type of toothbrush you use. But if you think you might be brushing too hard, it may be a good idea to try a toothbrush that dials in the perfect pressure to get a feel for it.

Could Your Electric Toothbrush Be Causing Damage?

Electric toothbrushes, as well as manual ones, can be very effective if used correctly. However, if you’re like most people and brush too hard, you could be causing damage to teeth and gums without knowing it. And all the extra power of an electric toothbrush could be making matters worse. In a recent independent study, electric toothbrushes caused the largest amount of damage to tooth surfaces when just 200 grams of pressure was applied (most people apply 200 to 300+).

So how hard should you brush?

According to The Journal of Clinical Periodontology, “Two minutes and 150 grams was the optimum time and pressure for the average person’s brushing regime.” Unfortunately, "It is virtually impossible for the average user to gauge how much pressure they are applying during their brushing regime.” says Dr. Peter Heasman, world renowned dentist and researcher.

There are some expensive electric toothbrushes that beep, light up, or stop when you brush too hard, but none physically prevent overbrushing. An alternative is a toothbrush made by Zent with a pressure sensitive, click-joint that limits brushing pressure to 150 grams.

But Electric Toothbrushes Are Better…Aren’t They??

The ADA (American Dental Association) says that 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.

The Bottom Line

If you’re using good technique, brushing twice a day for about 2 minutes each time, with 150 grams of pressure, then you’re all set regardless of what type of toothbrush you use. But if you think you might be brushing too hard, it may be a good idea to try a toothbrush that dials in the perfect pressure to get a feel for it.

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!