“How hard should you press with an electric toothbrush?”
I am a 45 year old male. I want to know how hard should you press with an electric toothbrush?
7 Answers
Hello,
Just a light pressure because you want the electric toothbrush to be effective and in control without hurting yourself. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation that usually comes with the appliance.
Just a light pressure because you want the electric toothbrush to be effective and in control without hurting yourself. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation that usually comes with the appliance.
Assuming no decay is present or severe decalcification of the enamel... the pressure can be firm if you have a soft or extra soft bristle head.
Always use a lite touch, you’re just removing plaque- that whitish filmy stuff. Stain and tarter is for the Hygienist.
Hello,
Most electric toothbrushes work one of a couple different ways so it depends on the type of electric toothbrush being used. Sonicare has a toothbrush that vibrate the bristles. It does this because so that it will help the tooth paste flow between the teeth into those hard to reach areas. The commercials can be seen with it looking like an ordinary toothbrush, but when it is put into a glass of water it is vibrates the water. This means that a light touch for this toothbrush is going to give it the maximum benefit. Anything harder than a light touch will decrease the benefit because the force of the bristles on the teeth are dampening the vibrations. The other major class of electric toothbrushes are the ones that have an oscillating/rotating head while the body of the bristles slides back and forth. This brush is typically more forgiving when it comes to pressure as its cleaning action is a physical movement that can be heard and felt by the user. Adding more then a light touch with this type of toothbrush will yield results similar to a heavy handed manual toothbrush (gum or gingiva issues). Since these toothbrushes are electric, a heavy hand is not needed to get a good cleaning. The idea is to let the toothbrush do the work while you guide it around the mouth.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Most electric toothbrushes work one of a couple different ways so it depends on the type of electric toothbrush being used. Sonicare has a toothbrush that vibrate the bristles. It does this because so that it will help the tooth paste flow between the teeth into those hard to reach areas. The commercials can be seen with it looking like an ordinary toothbrush, but when it is put into a glass of water it is vibrates the water. This means that a light touch for this toothbrush is going to give it the maximum benefit. Anything harder than a light touch will decrease the benefit because the force of the bristles on the teeth are dampening the vibrations. The other major class of electric toothbrushes are the ones that have an oscillating/rotating head while the body of the bristles slides back and forth. This brush is typically more forgiving when it comes to pressure as its cleaning action is a physical movement that can be heard and felt by the user. Adding more then a light touch with this type of toothbrush will yield results similar to a heavy handed manual toothbrush (gum or gingiva issues). Since these toothbrushes are electric, a heavy hand is not needed to get a good cleaning. The idea is to let the toothbrush do the work while you guide it around the mouth.
Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Hi,
You shouldn’t. Use a very light touch and let the toothbrush do the work.
Scott M. Dubowsky, DMD
You shouldn’t. Use a very light touch and let the toothbrush do the work.
Scott M. Dubowsky, DMD
Light pressure only.
Not at all. It is programmed to do its work.
