Should I Be Brushing With An Electric Toothbrush?

It’s a fairly common rule that brushing twice a day is crucial for preserving optimal oral health but have you ever thought much about the tools you are using to keep your smile clean? Electric toothbrushes have flooded the market in the past few years and have begun to offer so many additional options that it really begs the question. Should I be brushing with an electric toothbrush?

In this article we will outline the pros and cons of each so you can decide which option is best for you!

Manual Toothbrushes

The first nylon bristle toothbrush went on sale in 1938 and have evolved considerably since that time. The evolution has come so far that even when we consider the manual toothbrush we should certainly understand that not all manual toothbrushes are alike.

Pros of Manual Toothbrushes

Affordable: For the individual or family on a budget this often is the inciting factor for using the manual toothbrush. Costs typical range from $1 for a very basic no frills toothbrush to $3 for the top of the line.

Easily Accessible: It is very easy to find a toothbrush. Nearly every grocery store, pharmacy and even most gas stations carry them making it nearly impossible to go for too long without access.

Effective: With proper technique, manual toothbrushes can be very effective at removing both food debris and plaque

Cons of Manual Toothbrushes

Brush Too Hard: The vast majority of people tend to brush too vigorously when using manual toothbrushes which can cause damage to your teeth and gums.

No Timer: It’s more difficult to know if you’re brushing long enough if you don’t have a built in timer. Do a test on yourself where you time how long you typically brush. The vast majority of people never approach that two minute time frame that is suggested by the American Dental Association.

Electric Toothbrushes

Many people swear by their electric toothbrushes and feel they do a superior job at keeping their teeth clean.

Pros of Electric Toothbrushes

Easier to Use: if you have limited mobility due to carpel tunnel, arthritis developmental disabilities, or other conditions, electric toothbrushes make it much easier to thoroughly brush your teeth

Better at Cleaning: According to multiple studies, electric toothbrushes tend to do a more thorough job at removing plaque and preventing gingivitis than manual ones. This is for a number of reasons including built in timers, pressure sensors that alert you if you are applying too little or too much pressure, Bluetooth connectivity to our phones which can scan the alignment of the toothbrush in real time and show you which areas of the mouth might need additional attention.

Less Waste: After being done with a manual toothbrush, you typically just throw it away. With the electric toothbrushes you just need to replace the head which can lead to less waste and being a little more green.

Cons of Electric Toothbrushes

More Expensive: Even though they last much longer, the higher end electric toothbrushes can cost significantly more than their manual counterparts.

Difficult for Travel: Electric toothbrushes take up more space than a manual toothbrush, making them a little less ideal for traveling, particularly if you don’t have much room for packing. The newer electric toothbrushes do come with travel packs which are more convenient but you are still going to need about four times more space than packing one manual brush.

We hope this outline of the pros and cons of the manual vs. electric toothbrush can help you make a more informed decision about which option is right for you and your family. If you are concerned about your oral health and would like to schedule an appointment please reach out to our office!

Call Edgewater Dental Today to schedule your appointment!