Expert Reviews

03 April 2024

Expert Reviews

Do dentists recommend ultrasonic tooth cleaners?

This would be from a consumer/customer standpoint, so readers of the article would be considering purchasing items for use at home.

Dentists do not recommend using ultrasonic tooth cleaners at home. Ultrasonic cleaners carry the risk of damage and trauma to your teeth and gums, and dental professionals tend to use these types of machines and certified products in clinic under strict guidelines and following many years of extensive training. Purchasing and using products which are readily available can lead to damaging the enamel, which can sometimes result in patients needing restorative care or further treatment. Although this may not be the case for every scenario, the risk factors associated with at-home ultrasonic tooth cleaners is quite large, and it is important to reiterate and consider these risks when using at home dentistry tools.

Are water flossers good?

Dental professionals do recommend patients incorporating water flossers into their dental hygiene routine, as they can help with incidental cleaning between the teeth. Cleaning with just a toothbrush solely is not an effective method of protecting and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Using other oral tools such as floss, incidental brushes, water flossers, and other products which your dentist suggests, will help keep teeth and gums in good condition and prevent issues in the future.

Why do gums bleed when brushing teeth?

There are many reasons why your gums might bleed when brushing your teeth. One of these reasons is this could be a sign of gingivitis; this is where gums are inflamed and are reacting to the brushing like trauma causing them to bleed.

Other causes including brushing too hard, or your toothbrush isn’t soft enough, you’ve just started a flossing routine and your gums haven’t adjusted yet, or you are taking certain medications, such as blood thinners.

If you are noticing blood when you brush your teeth, whether occasionally or frequently, you should never ignore bleeding gums, and consult with your dentist as soon as possible.

Why are electric toothbrushes so expensive?

I’d be keen on any dentist-approved reasoning for why electric toothbrushes are better than manual.

Whilst electric toothbrushes can come with a bigger price tag when compared to manual options, I highly recommend my patients make this investment for their oral health. Years of research and development have gone into the development of electric toothbrushes, making them the safest and most effective method of protecting teeth and gums. Electric toothbrushes are a highly effective tool for cleaning your teeth by covering more areas for plaque removal and preventing abrasion, which can cause irreversible enamel damage when compared to a manual toothbrush.