The electric toothbrush was developed in the 1990s as an alternative to its manual predecessor. Twenty years later, there are many dentists that will promote the use of electric toothbrushes, however there is still a high percentage of people that would choose to stick to their manual brush despite this advice. This continued use of the humble manual toothbrush begs the question of whether electric toothbrushes are better than manual toothbrushes. To answer this question, we need to look at the pros and cons of each.
Manual Toothbrush
Pros
- It is possible to clean teeth thoroughly with a manual toothbrush, however it is important that the proper brushing technique be used.
- The manual toothbrush comes in many different styles. It is possible to choose a brush that suits the individual needs of your teeth and gums. For example if you have sensitive gums you can choose a brush with soft bristles, or a brush with a small head if you have a smaller mouth.
- Travelling with a manual toothbrush is simple, as there is no need to worry about carrying batteries or chargers, or whether there will be somewhere to charge your brush when you reach your destination.
- Manual brushes are easy to come by and are relatively cheap. It is even possible to purchase them in a combo pack which is extremely convenient for families.
Cons
- You have to do all the leg work yourself. Your teeth will only be in good condition and clean if your brushing technique is up to scratch.
- You will need to guess how long your brushing sessions lasts unless you have the foresight to set a two-minute
- It can be difficult for people with dexterity issues or a condition like arthritis to properly manoeuvre the brush.
Electric Toothbrush
Pros
- Electric toothbrushes are extremely easy to use. The brush should be placed at a 45-degree angle and slowly moved along each tooth. The brush will do the rest of the work.
- Many studies have shown that electric toothbrushes can clean teeth better and remove a lot more plaque than a manual brush.
- Many electric toothbrushes come with a built-in timer, the brush will automatically stop once the two minutes are up which is extremely convenient.
- The heads are replaceable, so the device itself last a lot longer than a manual toothbrush which must be replaced monthly.
- A whole family can share one electric toothbrush, needing only to switch out the replaceable heads.
Cons
- Electric toothbrushes are a lot more expensive than manual ones, however they should last a lot longer.
- You will need to charge your electric toothbrush or regularly replace the batteries depending on the model.
- Electric toothbrushes are fragile and easy to break.
- They can be cumbersome to travel with or for people on the go.
Talk to your dentist at Carlingwood Dental Centre to explore whether an electric or manual toothbrush is more appropriate for your dental care strategy.
