The bristles on an electric toothbrush may vibrate or rotate. Before you use your brush, determine which motion its bristles conduct by reading the package and, if necessary, turning the brush on to watch the bristles move. You may also have to charge some electric toothbrushes before use---this usually involves simply plugging the charger in to a wall socket and placing the toothbrush in the charger---or possibly insert batteries.
Step 1
Apply toothpaste to the electric toothbrush, just as you would with a manual toothbrush.
Step 2
Place the head of the electric toothbrush in your mouth and close your lips around it, then press the button on the handle of your toothbrush to turn it on. Also, check the time on the clock or your wristwatch. You should pace yourself throughout the brushing so that it takes between two and three minutes total.
Step 3
Hold the brush bristles against the outside surface of your upper molars on one side. If the bristles just vibrate, you'll need to perform the brushing motion yourself, just as with a manual toothbrush. If they rotate, however, you simply hold the brush against your teeth and let the brush do the work.
Step 4
Brush---either by holding the rotating bristles against your teeth or manually scrubbing---the outer surfaces of all your upper teeth. Make sure to brush all the way down to and including the line where your gums meet your teeth; some dentists also recommend gently brushing your gums. Also, make sure to brush between your teeth as well as your toothbrush bristles allow.
Step 5
Brush the inner surfaces of your upper teeth, then finally the lower surfaces or "faces" of the teeth. Repeat the same process on your lower teeth: Outer, inner, then upper or "face" surfaces.
Step 6
Check the time. If you haven't brushed for between two and three minutes, continue brushing your teeth, covering all the tooth surfaces again, until the two-minute mark has passed.
Step 7
Press the power button to turn the toothbrush off after two or three minutes of brushing, and return it to the charger. Some electric toothbrushes automatically turn themselves off after two minutes, in which case you won't have to turn it off yourself.
Tips and Warnings
- Use gentle to moderate pressure when brushing your teeth. If you feel sensitivity or pain while brushing, or if your gums bleed, consult a dentist. Flossing is an important part of dental hygiene; try to form a habit of flossing every time after you brush your teeth. Turning on the toothbrush with toothpaste on it, but without the toothbrush in your mouth, may cause toothpaste to splatter all over, creating a big mess.
Things You'll Need
- Toothpaste
