How do I care for my sonic toothbrush?
A sonic toothbrush can successfully serve you for many years, but only if it is properly used and maintained. Unfortunately, our experience shows that most problems with the devices that customers encounter are the result of improper, incompetent use of the equipment. That’s why in today’s article we’ve decided to outline how sonic toothbrushes should be handled.
What should a sonic toothbrush brushing technique look like?
Let’s start with the actual method of cleaning your teeth with a sonic toothbrush, because it, too, can give many users problems. Anyone who switches from a manual toothbrush to a sonic toothbrush initially feels a little… strange. These devices operate in a completely different manner than a classic toothbrush. The main difference is that you don’t have to make any additional movements to clean your teeth, as there is no need to follow a proper brushing technique or even press the bristle of the toothbrush against the enamel. The most important thing about brushing with a sonic toothbrush is simply… let it do its job.
So, if you want to brush your teeth with a sonic toothbrush, all you have to do is turn the device on and gently press its bristles against your teeth. This type of toothbrush should not be pressed firmly against your enamel for two main reasons:
- this practice could cause irritation and damage to your teeth,
- against all appearances, pressing the toothbrush too firmly against the enamel does not guarantee a more effective cleaning; on the contrary, the bristle of the toothbrush that is pressed against the enamel often begins to spread and slide along the teeth, causing it to lose contact with their surface.
As you brush your teeth with a sonic toothbrush, focus on guiding the bristles slowly and gently at about a 45-degree angle across the arch. Also, pay attention to the timer built into the handle of your toothbrush; keep brushing until the timer automatically turns off.
Replacing and Maintaining Cleaning Heads
The cleaning heads of sonic toothbrushes wear over time. As they wear, the bristles become deformed and twisted, and harmful bacteria begin to collect on them. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly replace the cleaning heads in sonic toothbrushes. How often should this be done?
Of course, this depends on the manufacturer of your toothbrush. In the case of the vast majority of sonic toothbrushes, we recommend replacing the cleaning head at least every three months. This is the expiration date for Smilesonic sonic toothbrush tips, among others.
Make sure that you only use the manufacturer’s recommended sonic brush heads on your toothbrush because using a “replacement” can damage your toothbrush and will not provide the cleaning results you want.
Daily maintenance
Of course, the handle of your sonic toothbrush also needs proper maintenance. To keep it in working order for as long as possible, you need to keep it clean and free of bacteria. Besides, it’s much more fun to brush your teeth with a neat and tidy toothbrush, right?
There are a few rules that you should follow to keep your toothbrush clean and ready to use. Every time you use a sonic toothbrush, remember to:
- Rinse the bristles of the cleaning tip from bacteria and toothpaste residue. This should be done immediately after brushing under running, preferably lukewarm, water.
- Clean the handle of the equipment from dirt. For example, you can use a damp cloth to do this. Special attention should be paid to paste residues on the equipment. Remember that the device should be dried before storing it in the docking station.
- Check the battery charge level. Try not to let your sonic toothbrush run down completely (this practice may reduce the efficiency of its battery operation). Plug in the toothbrush whenever the low battery light begins to flash. Keep recharging your toothbrush until the charge indicator light comes back on in a steady state (this indicates that the battery is fully charged). Smilesonic sonic toothbrushes take 5 to 16 hours to recharge.
These are the mistakes to beware of!
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, mishandling your sonic toothbrush can cause it to wear out, stop working properly or simply break down. That’s why it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and to put into practice the care instructions you’ve already learned.
Most people make the same mistakes when using a sonic toothbrush. Here’s a list of them. As a summary, study it carefully so you are aware of what NOT to do.
- Using the same brush head for too long.
- Pressing the bristles of your toothbrush against your teeth.
- Brushing your teeth at an improper angle (you should guide your toothbrush along your dental arch maintaining a 45-degree angle at all times).
- Using non-original brush heads.
- Failure to observe the recommended cleaning time.
- Failure to clean toothpaste residue and debris from handles and tips.
- Keeping toothbrush handles and tips where they are susceptible to bacterial build-up (preferably the handle on the docking station and the tips in the storage compartments).
- Allowing your equipment to discharge completely.
- Charging the battery too often (you should only charge the battery when the light on the handle tells you to).
- Washing the toothbrush handles and brush heads in dishwashers (do not under any circumstances as this can damage the equipment).
