Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of dental hygiene revelations—from learning I need to floss deeper than I thought to realizing that I should wait at least 30 minutes after using mouthwash before eating or drinking. And I once found out that floss picks, which I’d relied on for ages, are far less effective than the string kind. But nothing quite shocked me like discovering that I’ve been using my electric toothbrush all wrong for years—something I’m sure many others can relate to as well.
The Correct Way to Use an Electric Toothbrush
It turns out, folks, the key to using an electric toothbrush isn’t scrubbing. In fact, you shouldn’t be moving the brush back and forth at all. According to Oral-B, the proper technique is to simply place the brush head against your teeth at a 45-degree angle and let it sit there for about three seconds on each surface of the tooth. No up-and-down, side-to-side, or circular motions—just allow the brush head to do its job.
This advice isn’t limited to just Oral-B users. Dental hygienist Krysta Ambruson confirmed the same on TikTok, explaining that many people treat their electric toothbrush like a manual one, which can actually do more harm than good. “Angle it at a 45-degree angle towards your gums,” Ambruson advises, “and drag the head along each tooth across the four quadrants of your mouth. Please do not scrub with your electric toothbrush.”
Why Scrubbing With an Electric Toothbrush Is Harmful
If you’ve been scrubbing away with your electric toothbrush (like I have for years), you might be surprised to learn that this method could actually be doing more harm than good. According to a Reddit thread on r/Dentistry, scrubbing too aggressively can wear away both your enamel and gums. A comment on the thread suggests that using too much pressure with your brush can “mash” the bristles, rendering them less effective at cleaning between your teeth.
Philips, another well-known toothbrush manufacturer, agrees. They warn against aggressive scrubbing, stating that pressing too hard can cause “gum irritation” and potentially lead to “permanent damage.” Their advice? “Do not scrub!”
The Bottom Line
If you’ve been scrubbing away with your electric toothbrush, it’s time to stop. Simply place the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums, let it rest there for a few seconds, and allow the oscillating or sonic motion to do the cleaning for you. By following this technique, you’ll preserve your enamel and gums while achieving a more thorough clean. Your toothbrush has the power to do the work—no scrubbing needed!
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