How To Use a Sonic Toothbrush
Sonic toothbrushes are the gold standard within the electric toothbrush market. But how do you use one, and is it a more efficient way to clean your teeth?
We take a look at how to get the most out of your sonic toothbrush, and what the benefits of making the switch from manual to sonic can be.
How To Use a Sonic Toothbrush
Sonic toothbrushes are designed to do the hard work for you.
Many sonic toothbrushes also tend to incorporate features that promote better brushing habits, such as built-in timers and sensors.
Follow these steps when using your sonic toothbrush:
Do not wet your brush before use. Water will dilute the toothpaste, rendering it less effective at cleaning your tooth surfaces.
Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Be aware of the sensor. If the sensor buzzes whilst you brush, you are brushing too hard.
Use either a gliding action along your gumline, or small circular movements, making sure you clean each individual tooth. Remember to clean the inside surfaces of your teeth too!
Make sure you have enough charge to brush your teeth day and night. If you’re someone that might forget to regularly charge up, we recommend choosing a sonic toothbrush with good battery life. Higher-end sonic toothbrushes can last for 2-3 weeks on a full charge.
How Do Sonic Toothbrushes Work?
Sonic toothbrushes employ vibrating heads, which vibrate at a high frequency (as many as 31,000 and 40,000 vertical sweeping micro-movements per minute!) These movements allow the brush to remove plaque and surface stains from your enamel (if used properly, observing the steps listed above).
As the densely packed bristles oscillate at speed, this removes the need to turn the brush from side to side when you brush.
Some advantages of using a sonic toothbrush are:
You won’t need to rely on your own dexterity to cover all of your tooth surfaces.
You don’t need to press down hard to achieve a thorough clean.
The fast vibrations efficiently remove plaque from your tooth surfaces.
You won’t risk causing gum recession. Overzealous brushing with manual toothbrushes can cause the gum to pull away from the tooth surface, leaving you susceptible to decay.
Sonic toothbrushes have been clinically proven to reduce plaque accumulation more effectively than their manual counterparts.
How Do I Choose a Sonic Toothbrush?
With the volume of sonic toothbrush models out there, it’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed!
Here are a few things to consider when selecting the right sonic toothbrush for you:
Choose a reputable dentist-backed brand such as Phillips, SURI or Ordo.
Make sure the brush has a built-in sensor and timer.
Look for discounts and offers.
The Takeaway
Just as with any purchase, expensive doesn’t always equate to quality.
Whilst we don’t recommend going for the cheapest option you can find, there’s no real need to choose the most state-of-the-art brush if your budget doesn’t allow it.
When shopping for a sonic toothbrush, the two main features to look for should be:
A pressure sensor to make sure you aren’t compromising your gum health.
A timer to help you brush for the full two minutes each brushing session.
The main factor that will determine the quality of your brushing, is your technique.
Without good technique (manual or sonic), you risk missing out on covering your tooth surfaces and causing gum recession (which is a tricky condition to reverse).
When brushing your teeth with an sonic toothbrush, remember:
Gentle pressure
Brush the gumline
Use a gliding motion or small circular movements
Keep the toothbrush charged
