toothbrushes-225x300If you are trying to determine whether you should buy an electric toothbrush or just stick with the traditional kind that you have been using your whole life, you are probably going to find a lot of varying opinions about it.

Taking care of your teeth is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health and well-being in your life. A healthy mouth will generally equate to a wonderful smile. The more that a person smiles, the more self-confidence he/she tends to have. So the next time you are wondering how much you should invest in your oral health, realize that it can have a direct influence on the rest of your life.

Regular, manual toothbrushes have been in use for generations. However, if you do not use the proper brushing technique, your teeth may be not be getting as clean as they could be.

The best type of manual toothbrush to use is a soft or medium bristled one. People who believe that a hard bristle brush is the best because it’s the strongest and can scrub the teeth the best are mistaken. Hard bristles can actually wear down the enamel on your teeth.

If you struggle with proper technique for brushing your teeth, an electric toothbrush may be an ideal solution for you. Electric toothbrushes, especially those with smaller heads, will generally spin, helping to clean in between your teeth and gums.

If you use an electric toothbrush, you want to be sure that you clean each portion of your teeth equally. That means the upper left side of your teeth all the way to the front should be cleaned thoroughly for at least 30 seconds before moving to the other half. That includes the outside, inside, and surface areas.

Even if you use an electric toothbrush, you should also have a manual one. This you would use to massage your gums as well as brush your tongue. Brushing your tongue can help remove a lot of bacteria that is associated with bad breath.