Electric Vs. Manual Toothbrush

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manual vs electric toothbrushesBrushing your teeth is the foundation for good oral care and prevention. Dental professionals agree that brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day is the most effective step you can take to get rid of bacteria that causes plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to your teeth. When plaque builds up and becomes hard, it turns into tartar which causes tooth decay as well as gum disease. However, with the invention of the electric powered toothbrush, many are having a hard time deciding what is best for the overall health of their teeth.

The Benefits of Electric Toothbrush

  • Rechargeable electric power toothbrushes (or “power” toothbrush) provide superior plaque removal as opposed to regular manual toothbrushes. Because electric powered toothbrushes provide the brushing action for you, many people find using power toothbrushes easier than using regular manual brushes. Additionally, with so many different types and features available in electric toothbrushes, it’s easy to find one that suits your specific oral health needs.
  • Aside from the major benefit of electric toothbrushes doing the manual work for you, they can be a huge benefit for people with arthritis or other conditions with limits to dexterity. The range of variable speeds can also be helpful for people with sensitive teeth and gums. Some of the higher-range power driven toothbrushes even provide a warning light to alert the person when they are applying too much pressure to their teeth. Too much pressure will jump start gum recession which can make the person susceptible to sensitivity and decay.
  • Electric toothbrushes can be great for kids too. Kids can often times be reluctant to brush their teeth, so electric toothbrushes can seem more fun for them to use. Most electric toothbrushes also include a built-in timer to make sure you are brushing your teeth for at least two minutes. Some toothbrushes even come with downloadable apps to better guide children or even adults with informal techniques for brushing, schedules, and timers.

The Takeaway

Both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at cleaning your teeth if you use proper technique and brush often enough. Overall, the electric toothbrush is going to make your overall brushing experience better, resulting in plaque removal. If you have any questions about which toothbrush might be best for you, give us a call at Smile Sarasota!