What Are the Benefits of Sonic Electric Toothbrushes?

Toothbrushes have evolved over the years to make brushing easier, more convenient and more productive. Some form of a toothbrush for manual brushing has been around for decades, followed by the electric toothbrush and most recently the sonic electric toothbrush. The capabilities of the brushes have changed with each new development. Users of the sonic electric toothbrush see a number of benefits.

Strokes

• One benefit of a sonic electric toothbrush that sets it apart from other electric toothbrushes and manual brushing is the high number of brush strokes per minute that it is capable. A sonic toothbrush produces from 30,000 to 40,000 brush strokes per minute. According to WebMD, a non-sonic electric toothbrush achieves between 3,000 and 7,500 strokes per minute and a typical person is able to generate around 300 strokes per minute.

Plaque Removal

• Due to the high rate of strokes per minute, a sonic toothbrush is very successful at removing plaque. The speed creates pressure waves, which produce bubbles, which dislodge the plaque on the tooth. The sonic toothbrush generates so much pressure it can work effectively even at 4 millimeters from your tooth. The high rate of vibration also creates energy in the fluids surrounding the teeth, such as saliva. This energy and motion dislodges the plaque beyond just the area the bristles of the sonic toothbrush touch. Removing plaque is important because the acid in plaque destroys tooth enamel and can result in tooth decay over time.

Toxin/Gingivitis Reduction

• The fluid movement generated by the high number of brush strokes per minute also lessens and washes away toxins produced by bacteria that live in plaque. It removes plaque from hard to reach areas, such as between the teeth and below the gum line. Removing plaque and toxins from below the gum line lessens the risk of gingivitis, which can cause irritation, redness and swelling in your gums. Gingivitis can lead to serious gum disease and eventually to tooth loss.

Ease of Use

• Electric toothbrushes like the sonic toothbrush are also easier and more convenient to use than brushing manually. Professor Gary D. Hack, cited on WebMD, says sonic toothbrushes are easier for people with dexterity problems such as arthritis to use. Sonic toothbrushes also require less work than manual brushing and may help ensure people brush on a more regular basis. Rather than having to provide most of the brushing action, sonic toothbrush users just have to guide the brush along the surface of the teeth while the brush's vibrations do the work.