Brushing your teeth may seem like a mindless activity during which you can daydream or scroll on your phone, but not paying attention to what you're doing can affect your dental health. Especially compared to a manual toothbrush, many assume that they simply need to run an electric toothbrush over their teeth and call it a day. But if you use it incorrectly, it can hurt your teeth instead of helping them.

Even if you've been a long-time electric toothbrush user, it's always a good idea to refresh your memory on how to correctly use one.

How to correctly use an electric toothbrush

Ready to make the switch to a powered toothbrush? Or, are you ready to learn how to use yours correctly? Fortunately, using one of these brushes is relatively simple and requires no more effort than using a manual toothbrush. 

1. Charge your toothbrush: Your electric toothbrush should have an indicator that lights when it is charged. 
   
2. Outside surfaces: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and begin brushing the outside surfaces of your teeth. Hold the brush's rotating heads against each tooth for 2 to 5 seconds before moving on to the next one. 
   
3. Inner surfaces: After brushing the outer surfaces of your teeth, move to the inner surfaces, holding the brush's rotating heads against them for 2 to 5 seconds before moving on to the next tooth. 
   
4. Chewing surfaces: Next, hold your brush's head against the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Hold your brush against each surface for a few seconds before moving on to the next. 
   
5. Get the gums: You're not done yet. Run the rotating heads of your electric toothbrush along your gum line and on your gums. This will remove any remaining plaque in your mouth. 
   
6. Brush your tongue: As a final step, gently brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue. This is a good way to remove stubborn food particles, and brushing these areas of your mouth can also help freshen your breath.
   

Common but harmful electric toothbrush mistakes

While it's easy to use an electric toothbrush, there are still mistakes you should avoid when brushing your teeth. Here are the most common: 

1. Not brushing long enough

Don't rush your brush. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Rushing this makes it more likely that you won't scrub away enough plaque from your teeth. 

2. Not replacing a worn toothbrush head

Don't overuse the heads of your electric toothbrush. The ADA recommends changing these heads every 3 to 4 months. If the bristles on these heads are frayed or matted, replace them immediately, even if you've used them for less than 3 months.

3. Brushing too hard

You might be tempted to push down hard when you brush your teeth, but this can harm your teeth and gums. Brushing too hard can wear down your gums and teeth. That could wear down your enamel, making your teeth overly sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. Brushing too hard could also cause your gums to recede. 

4. Using the wrong toothbrush

You can effectively brush your teeth with either an electric or a manual toothbrush. You will need to use the right brush. The ADA recommends using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a long handle to reach the back of your mouth.

Do you want to make sure your toothbrush is up to snuff? Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Brushes approved by the American Dental Association feature a seal on their packaging.

Electric toothbrush benefits to consider

There are several advantages to using an electric toothbrush, like manageability and effectiveness. Here are some of the most important: 

Electric toothbrushes might be more effective

Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes may more efficiently prevent tooth decay. 

In 2014, the Cochrane Collaboration reviewed 56 clinical trials of unsupervised toothbrushing involving more than 5,000 subjects of adults and children. Researchers found that individuals who used an electric toothbrush for one to three months experienced an 11% reduction in plaque compared to those who used a manual toothbrush for the same period.

Another study that followed adults for 11 years also found that participants who used an electric toothbrush had healthier teeth. The 2019 study, conducted by researchers at the University of Greifswald in Germany found that those who used electric toothbrushes had healthier gums and kept 19% more teeth throughout the study than those who used manual brushes.

A better choice for young children

Children often struggle to clean their teeth properly with a manual toothbrush. They might get bored before finishing the recommended 2 minutes of brushing, which can make it easier for plaque to build up on their teeth. An electric toothbrush can help. Because the heads of such brushes rotate in different directions, they provide greater brushing power and can more effectively remove plaque in less time.

Some electric toothbrushes have built-in timers, allowing younger children to know when they've reached the 2-minute mark. 

More effective at removing plaque if you have braces

Do you have braces? If so, an electric toothbrush might be the better choice for your dental health. A study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that participants who used a manual toothbrush after getting braces were more likely to accumulate plaque and to have an increased risk of gingivitis than those who used electric toothbrushes.

Better at removing plaque in general

Your goal when brushing your teeth is to remove as much plaque as possible. That's because the bacteria in plaque eat away at your teeth's protective enamel. Your teeth are more likely to suffer decay and you're more likely to experience painful cavities if you don't remove this plaque. 

Easier to use for some

An electric toothbrush might be easier to use for people with chronic pain or disabilities. That's because the brushes' rotating heads do most of the cleaning. With manual toothbrushes, you have to do the brushing work yourself.