Gum recession occurs when the gums wear away, exposing the roots of the teeth. The more exposed your gums are, the greater the risk of tooth decay, infection, and even teeth loss. Preventing gum recession, therefore, is crucial for your overall oral health.
Some people are concerned that the vigorous action of an electric toothbrush increases the risk of receding gums. It’s led many people to avoid electric and sonic toothbrushes altogether, preferring the manual alternative. But is this true? Do electric toothbrushes cause receding gums? Or might they help the problem? Find out below.
What are Receding Gums?
Receding gums or gum recession refers to the increasing absence of the gum protecting the teeth. The gum might gradually wear away or become pulled or pushed back. Usually, the gum sits tightly over the root of the tooth, keeping it both protected and anchored in place. However, as the gum recedes, the root and other structures are exposed – alongside the “pockets” or “gaps” in the tooth line.
Disease-causing bacteria can enter these spaces, increasing the risk of tooth decay and infection. If the gum recession continues, everything from the tooth to the bone can become damaged, leading to tooth loss.
Symptoms of gum recession typically involve tooth sensitivity. The tooth might appear longer than normal – although this can be hard to detect if the entire gum moves away from the teeth. If you notice any signs of receding gum, you should make an early appointment with your dentist.
Causes of Receding Gums
Gum recession is a common dental condition. Part of the problem is that there are several possible causes of receding gums. These include:
- Gum Disease. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is often the initial cause of gum recession. It occurs due to poor oral hygiene. If left untreated, gingivitis leads to periodontitis, or inflammation and infection of the space between the gums and the teeth. It causes a loss of the connective tissue that holds the gums, teeth, and bones together.
- Insufficient Dental Care. Linked to gum disease, poor dental hygiene – either through minimal brushing or flossing – increases the risk of gum recession. The buildup of plaque and tartar forces the gum back.
- Vigorous Tooth Brushing. Rubbing a brush harshly against the gum can cause your gums to wear away. It may also damage the tooth enamel.
- Tobacco. Smoking and other forms of tobacco usage coat the teeth with a sticky plaque that leads to receding gums.
- Hormone Changes. Changes in female hormone levels – such as in pregnancy, menopause, or puberty – raise the risk of gum recession via increased sensitivity.
- Grinding Teeth or Misaligned Bite. Conditions place greater pressure on the teeth, which can cause the gums to recede.
Can Electric Toothbrushes Cause Receding Gums?
Yes and no. Like any toothbrush, aggressive brushing increases the risk of receding gums. Where sonic electric toothbrushes benefit (in particular) is their rotating and sonic action. Because the brush already revolves, there’s less need to apply too much pressure or brush the teeth vigorously. Simply holding the brush over the tooth’s surface is enough to remove the buildup of food, plaque, and other substances.
That being said, if an electric toothbrush is consistently pressed against the gums, it may cause some gum recession. It’s all about the correct technique. Sonic electric toothbrushes do not directly cause receding gums.
Some people do not like the feeling of an electric toothbrush. The vibrations cause them discomfort. If that’s the case, then the person may reduce their brushing frequency, which can increase the risk of gum recession.
Gum Recession: Electric vs Manual Toothbrushes
Manual and electric toothbrushes appear extremely similar. Electric toothbrushes primarily seem like labour-saving devices, allowing you to simply move the electric toothbrush gently against your teeth. However, in regard to receding gums, there are some crucial differences.
Aggressive Brushing Technique
Electric toothbrushes handle most of the brushing action. This incentivises people to use gentler techniques. On the other hand, people may use a manual toothbrush to scrub their teeth incorrectly, believing that they need a tingling sensation in their gums. This is incorrect. The tingling sensation is a sign that you are damaging the gums.
Hard Bristles
Most electric toothbrushes come with softer bristles. Manual toothbrushes, however, can be soft, medium, or hard. The harder the bristle, the greater the risk of damage to the gum. If you’ve already got a sensitive mouth, it poses an increased risk. If you don’t see any blood when flossing, then blood due to brushing indicates either aggressive brushing or hard bristles.
Using Too Much Pressure
People who are used to manual toothbrushes tend to use electric toothbrushes in the same manner. They might scrub the teeth or apply too much pressure. Given the rotating action of the electric toothbrush, the damage increases compared to that of the manual counterparts. However, this is the wrong technique.
Believing Electric Eliminates Flossing
Using an electric toothbrush isn’t a substitute for flossing. Flossing is the only way to reach between the teeth, removing trapped food, bacterial buildup, and other harmful substances. (Extra points if you use a dental brush.
Electric toothbrushes cannot reach these locations. They are exclusively for cleaning the front and back surfaces of the teeth. No amount of extra pressure or vigorous brushing will clean between the teeth.
Brushing For Too Long
Can you time two minutes in your head? Or do you just guesstimate the right amount of time? Most people brush their teeth for either much less than two minutes or much longer. Even with a gentle brushing technique, rubbing your gums with a toothbrush for 5 minutes will increase the rate of recession.
This is where electric toothbrushes have a clear advantage. With built-in timers, you can ensure that you brush your teeth for precisely 2-3 minutes. You might even get a pressure warning. Thanks to this information, you can ensure your brushing is the right length of time every time.
Correct Brushing Technique to Avoid Gum Recession
The most obvious sign that you’re brushing your teeth wrong isn’t your gums; it’s the brush itself. If you’re going through a toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every few weeks, you’re brushing too hard. You might even be stripping the enamel from your teeth!
For most people, a toothbrush is replaced every 3-4 months. It’s worn out when the bristles are frayed and worn after being used twice per day.
So, how should you use a sonic toothbrush to clean your teeth? Follow these best practices:
- Apply Pea-Sized Toothpaste. Wet your toothbrush and apply a small drop of toothpaste.
- Turn on the Toothbrush. Press the toothbrush gently against your teeth and turn it on.
- Guide the Toothbrush. There’s no need to scrub back and forth. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and move it gently along your teeth.
- Cover the Front and Back. Move in a logical order, covering the front of your teeth and then the back. Next, move from the upper to the lower set of teeth or vice versa.
- Stop After 2-3 Minutes. You shouldn’t brush your teeth for more or less than 2-3 minutes. You want to remove any plaque or bacterial buildup without damaging the gums.
- Always Floss. Remember to floss before you brush your teeth. It gets at the hidden bacteria in the gaps between your teeth. You can then remove these bacteria with brushing.
Best Sonic Toothbrushes to Prevent Receding Gums
Oclean X-Pro Sonic Toothbrush
The Oclean X-Pro Sonic Toothbrush is perfect for gentle yet effective brushing. Due to its maglev motor, it achieves a higher movement rate, reducing the need for aggressive brushing techniques. Moreover, its built-in 6-axis gyroscope detects 8 brushing motions, adjusting the brush head accordingly. It provides a score determining when your teeth are fully clean.
Oclean X-Pro Elite Sonic Toothbrush
The next level up is the Oclean X-Pro Elite Sonic Toothbrush, which comes with 4 modes and 32 intensives for Clean Mode. It harnesses the power of AI to achieve the highest quality of teeth cleaning. Armed with this information, you’re much less likely to overbrush or apply too much pressure. The toothbrushes guide your every action. It’s the gold standard in electric toothbrushes.
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Final Thoughts
So, can electric toothbrushes cause receding gums? They can. However, compared to manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes are much less likely to damage your gums. You do not need to brush as vigorously with an electric toothbrush, nor do you need such hard bristles. Electric toothbrushes are also easier to master, letting you achieve a better clean without damaging your gums. It’s the best way to reduce the risk of gum recession.