Does Using a Power Toothbrush Save Money?
A Rechargeable Toothbrush Costs Less than a Manual Toothbrush
Oct 30, 2009
Checking out toothbrushes in the dental products aisle might lead a person to initially believe a power toothbrush is not worth it at up to $159.00 for the package, while a simple, manual toothbrush can cost as little as $0.99.
How can a Power Toothbrush Save Money?
A manual toothbrush is so cheap to buy, that it's hard to imagine a power toothbrush can pay for itself in the long run. But it can.
Electric Toothbrushes are Easier to Use
Electric rechargeable toothbrushes are easier to operate than a manual toothbrush because the toothbrush does all the work for the user. The user only gently guides the toothbrush to each tooth. With the manual toothbrush, the user has to move the brush back and forth across the teeth and gauge the amount of pressure the brush pushes against the teeth. According to Dr. Robert Hohenstein, DDS and this author's personal experience, people with certain physical disabilities, like arthritis, find power toothbrushes to be ergonomic, so much easier to use and less painful for their hands.
When toothbrushes are easy to use, people are more likely to brush teeth twice a day, as dentists recommend. If people brush properly twice daily, their twice-a-year dental check-ups are more likely to be cavity-free, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
Built-in Two Minute Toothbrushing Timer
When toothbrushes are easier to use, people are more likely to brush teeth for the full two minutes, which dentists recommend. Most electric toothbrushes made today offer automatic timers which pulse a soft signal at each 30 second interval. This signal tells users it’s time to move the brush on to the next quadrant of the teeth.
When people brush teeth properly and for the recommended amount of time at each quadrant, those twice-a-year dental check-ups are more likely to be free of cavities and gum disease, according to the ADA. This leads to the likelihood of overall dental costs to the patient being limited, because of lower risk for procedures like fillings, crowns, and treatment for periodontal disease.
Ergonomic Accessories
Most rechargeable power toothbrushes include ergonomic accessories in the start-up package, such as travel cases and chargers, as well as toothbrush holders and bathroom counter-top chargers. Each of these generally is designed to accommodate small spaces and travel bags. Again, having these conveniences provided in the start-up package make the toothbrush more likely to be used, because it’s easy. Everything is ready to go when users need any of it. There is no frustrating rush to the store to search for a compatible necessary accessory.
High-Tech Features
Not only do power toothbrushes often come with built-in timers to let users know when to move on to another section of teeth when brushing, they can have a digital, wireless pressure sensor which notes when users are pressing too hard on the teeth or gums.
Some rechargeable power toothbrushes also include a digital reminder to replace the toothbrush head. People forget that toothbrushes need regular replacement about every 3 months, or after any infection like a cold or flu, according to the ADA, not just when the dentist hands them the freebie in the dental chair at the check-up once or twice each year. With a self-reminding toothbrush, the brush heads can be replaced before the heads are too worn out or embedded with too many personal bacteria.
Multiple Brush Options
For rechargeable toothbrushes, as stated on the Oral-B brand dental products website, the models can have several different brushing actions, including those for sensitive teeth, whitening, flossing action, or gum massage. Various interchangeable brush heads can also be used with many models interchangeably, such as flossing action, orthodontics, tongue sweeper, whitener, cleaner, sensitive teeth, and more.
Easy snap-in and -out ability for power toothbrush brush heads makes changing the brush heads painless. The Oral-B dental products website shares statements by its health and safety department that users enjoy a stress-free brushing experience, compared to using the manual brush, which just has one head type and brushing action. With all the probable brush head features to use at any given time, users save money at dental visits. The added choices in toothbrush head accessories helps users make better use of tooth brushing time. Their teeth and gums are cleaner. Plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease are less likely to occur when dental practices at home are easier to do.
When people have better dental check-ups, costs are less. No paying for fillings, crowns, root canals, or periodontal disease. The teeth and gums are healthy and so are bank accounts of the people who take care of those teeth.
Disclaimer
This or any other online article content cannot replace dental health advice from licensed professionals. Content is for informational purposes only. Please seek counsel from a licensed dental health professional for this or any dental health issue.
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