Smart technology has found its way into just about everything these days, including oral care products. You can now buy a smart toothbrush that syncs with your smartphone to track your habits and improve plaque removal. But do smart toothbrushes really help oral health?
Some smart technologies offer game-changing features that can improve your everyday life, but others can feel more like a novelty or gimmick. This easy guide from Babylon Dental Care will help you understand exactly where the smart toothbrush falls on that spectrum.
What Is a Smart Toothbrush?
A smart toothbrush is an electric toothbrush that uses smart technology to improve brushing habits and oral health. It can track usage, analyze technique, and offer suggestions for improvement. This information is typically shared through a mobile app.
Some common features in smart toothbrushes include:
- Timers and Pressure Sensors: Brushing timers detect how long you brush, and brushing pressure sensors detect how hard you press while brushing. These tools can help you avoid over-brushing, which can wear down enamel, and they can keep you accountable for brushing long enough to clean every surface of your teeth.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Many smart toothbrushes offer dental app integration so you can track your data through your smartphone. Apps often provide a visual map of brushing patterns to easily see when you miss spots. Over time, this feedback can help you improve your brushing technique and make your routine as effective as possible.
- Real-Time Feedback: Some smart brushes vibrate or pause briefly to let you know you’ve adequately brushed a certain area, and it’s time to move on to another. This can help you optimize your oral care and ensure that every area of your mouth gets the attention it needs.
- Game Features: Motivate kids to stick to their oral hygiene routines by making a game out of it. These interactive features can keep score or provide fun animations that engage kids and help them protect their smiles.
Do Smart Toothbrushes Actually Improve Oral Health?
Studies have shown that when it comes to electric vs. manual, the electric toothbrush is significantly more effective at plaque removal. The improvement comes mainly from the electric brush scrubbing for you and encouraging longer brushing. Smart toothbrushes take this idea a step or two further.
While the electric toothbrush is a fantastic piece of oral care technology, it can’t tell you where or how to brush. The dental hygiene tracking technology on smart toothbrushes can do that. For example, if you tend to skip the back molars or apply too much pressure on your gums, the app can point that out to you. This can make a significant difference in cavity prevention and gum health.
However, while knowing the proper brushing duration and spots to hit can help tremendously, it won’t magically solve all your oral health problems. You still need consistent, healthy oral care habits. That means brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and seeing your dentist every six months for preventative care.
Who Can Benefit Most from a Smart Toothbrush?
Anyone can use and enjoy a smart toothbrush, but the following groups stand to gain even more than the average person:
- Children and Teens: Kids often struggle with brushing long enough or covering every surface. Smart brushes gamify oral hygiene, helping kids to create healthy habits.
- Adults with Orthodontics: Orthodontic appliances create many hard-to-reach spots. A smart toothbrush can show you what spots need more attention.
- People with Gum Issues: If you have sensitive or receding gums, you must brush carefully. The pressure sensors on a smart brush can tell you when you’re brushing too hard to prevent further damage.
Are There Any Downsides?
Like any technology, smart toothbrushes come with some potential drawbacks, including:
- Cost: Smart brushes are typically more expensive than other options, which can be a significant hurdle for many. It’s not a one-time purchase, either. You will have to replace brush heads regularly.
- Durability: The more moving parts and electronics a product has, the more prone it can be to malfunction. While a standard toothbrush may seem primitive in comparison to a smart brush, you usually don’t have to worry about one breaking on you.
- Technology Fatigue: With smart technology everywhere you turn today, some feel overwhelmed. Not everyone needs all the extra features, or another reason to be tied to their smartphone.
Contact Babylon Dental Care Today
Innovative technology can transform your oral hygiene routine, but you still need to see your dentist for regular checkups if you want to protect your smile. Contact Babylon Dental Care by calling (631) 983-6665 or online to schedule your appointment.
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