I had a similar experience when I switched to electric. Initially, I thought the stronger vibrations meant it was cleaning better, but my gums definitely disagreed—they felt sore and irritated for days. Switching to a softer brush head helped somewhat, but honestly, what made the biggest difference for me was adjusting the pressure. Turns out, I was pressing way too hard without realizing it. Once I eased up, things improved significantly. It does take some trial and error though...
I totally get what you're saying about pressure—I was guilty of scrubbing my teeth like they owed me money, lol. But honestly, even after adjusting the pressure and switching heads, my gums still weren't thrilled. My dentist suggested switching brands, and surprisingly, that helped a ton. Turns out some brushes are just gentler overall. Might be worth experimenting with another model if you're still feeling irritation... everyone's mouth seems picky in its own special way.
Funny you mention the brand thing—I went through something similar. My dentist swore by one brand, but it felt like a mini jackhammer on my gums no matter how gentle I tried to be. Ended up switching to a totally different model on a whim (it was on sale, ha!), and suddenly brushing became way less of a battle. Makes me wonder, though, is it more about the brush head shape or the vibration intensity that makes the real difference?
Totally relate to your experience—I think vibration intensity plays a bigger role than most realize. Brush head shape matters too, but I've noticed even the gentlest heads can feel harsh if the vibration's too intense. Finding that sweet spot really makes all the difference...
