Some electric toothbrush users could be at risk of gum disease, warns expert

With a promise to effectively sweep plaque away one tooth at a time, electric toothbrushes have seen a recent boom in popularity.

While the small gadgets offer superior cleaning abilities, you might not be using them correctly.

A sustainable wellness brand SURI has found that over one-third of electric toothbrush users were actually at a higher risk of gum disease. 

Looking at more than 1,000 electric toothbrush owners in the UK, the survey found that around 42 percent don’t change their toothbrush heads regularly.

Dental professionals advise switching the heads every three months to avoid ineffective cleaning and deterioration to oral health.

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Worryingly, old toothbrush heads can hike your risk of oral health problems, such as plaque build-up.

And the trouble doesn’t stop there as this could lay the groundwork for gum disease and tooth decay.

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said: “Worn-out toothbrushes cannot clean your teeth properly and may damage your gums. 

“This is also true about the brush heads on electric toothbrushes. 

“It is important to change your toothbrush or toothbrush head, every three months, or sooner if the filaments become worn.”

One of the problems of not changing your toothbrush head comes down to bristles becoming splayed, leaving them unable to clean your smile properly.

Dr Davinder Raju, Dentist and Founder of Green Dentistry, said: “Unfortunately, over time, bristles that become frayed or worn out on a toothbrush become less effective at removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. 

“Therefore, changing toothbrush heads every three months or sooner is advisable to ensure all-around health.”

What’s worse, your oral health can have repercussions beyond your mouth. 

A growing body of evidence keeps suggesting that gum disease could be linked to serious health problems, ranging from heart disease to dementia.

“So, cleaning your teeth and gums is essential to help keep your beautiful smile and ensure you remain healthy and vital for life,” Dr Raju added.

SURI conducted the survey in order to understand the potential positive impact of its new subscription head service, where customers can purchase two or more heads shipped directly to their door every six months.