If you are serious about your oral health, then the debate about an electric vs manual toothbrush is probably a question you’d like answered. Brushing and flossing twice a day is your first line of defense against tooth decay but does an electric toothbrush do a better job if your manual technique is good? We have the answers..
Does An Electric Toothbrush Do A Better Job At Keeping Your Mouth Clean?
Perhaps the biggest benefit to an electric toothbrush is its ability to vibrate – enabling it to remove more plaque than you can do with manual toothbrushes. That’s because the bristles of your toothbrush rotate independently of your own movement. Some research studies suggest that electric toothbrushes with rotating heads remove more plaque than the electric toothbrushes that just vibrate.
The Benefits Of Electric Toothbrushes
An Electric Toothbrush Works Harder
Essentially an electric toothbrush is capable of doing more work, making it easier for the user. This means that patients who may experience developmental disabilities or problems such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome can clean their teeth more effectively if they use electric toothbrushes.
Electric Toothbrushes Have Built-in Timers
Most dentists recommend that you brush for at least two minutes and if you use an electric toothbrush, you have the added advantage of a built-in timer to ensure that you achieve that every time you brush. This is especially useful to children who may not time their brushing correctly otherwise.
Clean Your Orthodontics Correctly
Electric toothbrushes give people who wear braces a much easier time when it comes to dental hygiene. This is largely because the electric toothbrush does much of the work for you. The rotating movements allow electric toothbrushes to get into the small spaces that are formed when you wear orthodontics. It’s very important to have good dental hygiene when you wear braces or have orthodontic treatment because tooth decay can occur if food and other debris is trapped between the orthodontics and your teeth.
Electric Toothbrushes Do Not Cause Damage To Enamel And Gums
One of the dangers of using manual toothbrushes is that you can brush too hard. It often comes from a good place – i.e. the intention of removing plaque effectively, but if you do brush too hard you can cause the gums to recede away from your teeth. Studies suggest that patients are more likely to brush too hard if they use manual toothbrushes.
Some electric toothbrushes have pressure sensors and will alert you if you brush too hard.
Of course, the flip side of using manual toothbrushes is that not brushing hard enough will not clean your teeth correctly. Using an electric toothbrush will ensure that the correct amount of pressure is applied to teeth and gums, without causing damage.
Electric Vs Manual Toothbrush: What’s Best For The Environment?
Manual toothbrushes should be replaced every three months and after a period of illness. When it’s time to replace an electric toothbrush, you only need to replace the head and not the entire thing. Some electric toothbrushes also have reminders to let you know when it’s time to replace the head.
Electric Toothbrushes Are Better For Kids
An electric toothbrush is probably a safer investment than a manual toothbrush for children who are still learning about good dental hygiene practices. Electric toothbrushes ensure that each tooth is cleaned correctly and for the correct period of time, minimising your child’s chances of developing tooth decay. Using an electric brush can give parents peace of mind that the job is being done correctly.
Electric Vs Manual Toothbrush: How To Ensure A Thorough Clean
Regardless of whether you opt for a manual or electric brush, there are some cardinal rules you should follow to ensure you remove all the plaque from the surfaces of your teeth. These include:
Make Sure You Brush Twice A Day
Using an electric toothbrush is no substitute for missing out on a cleaning session. Make sure you brush and floss twice every day.
Brush For Two Minutes At A Time
You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes per session to ensure you remove the plaque from your teeth.
Use A Soft Bristled Brush
Using a soft bristled brush is important, whether you have a manual or electric toothbrush. Anything harder carries the risk of causing damage to your tooth enamel and gums.
Angle Your Toothbrush Correctly
Plaque build up tends to occur more at the gum line so you need to hold your brush at an angle to your gums.
Don’t Forget To Floss And Brush Your Tongue
Flossing removes plaque and other debris from between your teeth and needs to be done every time you brush. Brushing your tongue is equally important as your tongue can harbour lots of bacteria too. Not cleaning your tongue is a common cause of bad breath, and it’s easily avoidable.
Visit Your Dentist Twice A Year
No toothbrush can remove every trace of plaque from your teeth and, in order to prevent it from turning into tartar, you must visit your dentist every six months. Your dentist will remove any plaque and calculus from the surface of your teeth and inspect your teeth for any signs of tooth decay. He or she will also check up on the health of your gums and soft tissue so don’t forget to go.
The Cons Of Electric Brushes
An electric toothbrush is more expensive than a manual brush but it won’t need to be replaced as often. When you do need to replace, it will just be the head and not the entire brush. You also need to consider the power source – some electric brushes are rechargeable while others need batteries to work. Rechargeable toothbrushes are usually more expensive than battery-operated brushes.
If you still have questions about the benefits of an electric vs manual toothbrush you should ask a professional. Please contact us for an appointment: (02) 8806 3799
