In order to practice good oral care and prevention, you need to brush your teeth. Thankfully, both manual and electric toothbrushes can be effective at removing oral plaque that can cause disease and decay.
When it comes to manual vs electric toothbrushes, each kind comes with its own set of benefits. Any toothbrush, manual or electric, that is proven to be effective and safe will come with the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Acceptance.
If you’re still trying to figure out if a manual or electric toothbrush is going to be best for you, then don’t worry. We have you covered.
So keep on reading and we will walk you through everything that you’re going to want to know!
Electric Toothbrush Benefits
The bristles on an electric toothbrush rotate or vibrate to help get rid of the buildup of plaque from your gums and teeth. The vibration means that there are more micro-movements each time you move the toothbrush across your teeth.
More Effective at Removing Plaque
Electric toothbrushes tend to be better at decreasing the amount of gingivitis and plaque when compared to manual toothbrushes. And rotating electric toothbrushes are better at this than ones that just vibrate.
Easier for People with Limited Mobility
An electric toothbrush is going to do most of the work for you. They can be especially helpful for people who experience limited mobility. If you have arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or developmental disabilities, then an electric toothbrush is likely a good pick.
Built-In Timers
Some electric toothbrushes come with timers built into them. This can help you brush your teeth for long enough to properly remove any plaque from your gums and teeth.
Might Cause Less Waste
You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you use a manual toothbrush, then you’re going to have to throw the whole thing out every couple of months. With an electric toothbrush, you can usually just replace the head and keep the rest of the device.
If you happen to use a single-use electric toothbrush, then you will have to totally replace the toothbrush when the time comes.
Might Improve Your Focus While You Brush
Using an electric toothbrush could help your focus more when you brush your teeth. This means that you can more effectively clean your teeth.
Might Improve Oral Health in People with Orthodontic Appliances
People who have orthodontic appliances, such as braces, might find electric toothbrushes to be more effective. This is because electric toothbrushes tend to make it easier to brush.
Fun for Kids
A lot of kids don’t really like brushing their teeth all that much. And unfortunately, the same can be said for adults.
However, giving your child an electric toothbrush could help them become more engaged with the practice. This can allow them to have fun while also making sure that their teeth get properly cleaned.
Safe for Gums
An electric toothbrush, when used properly, shouldn’t hurt your enamel or gums. Instead, it should promote overall oral health.
Electric Toothbrush Cons
First off, an electric toothbrush is going to cost more money than a manual toothbrush. New replacement heads tend to cost a good amount of money too. You also need to think about the cost of disposable batteries, if your toothbrush takes them.
It is also not always convenient to find the right replacement brush heads and not all stores carry them. There are also knockoff brand heads that could be cheaper but they might not be as effective.
If you travel, it could be fairly cumbersome to bring a bulky electric toothbrush and charger with you. It’s usually a good idea to travel with a light manual one instead.
Manual Toothbrush Benefits
Manual toothbrushes have been around for a very long time. While they won’t have the bells and whistles that come with electric toothbrushes, they’re still very effective tools when it comes to preventing gingivitis and cleaning your teeth.
If you are comfortable using a manual toothbrush, then just make sure that you use it every day, twice a day.
Accessible
You can find a manual toothbrush at just about any pharmacy, dollar store, gas station, and grocery store. You also don’t need to charge these brushes to get them to work.
You can use a manual toothbrush at any place at any time.
Affordable
Manual toothbrushes are very cost-effective. You can find a good manual toothbrush for just a couple of dollars.
Manual Toothbrush Cons
You are more likely to brush too hard if you use a manual toothbrush instead of an electric one. This can hurt your teeth and gums.
Also, because there isn’t a built-in timer, you might not know for sure if you are brushing your teeth for a long enough period of time. Think about placing a kitchen time in the bathroom for when you brush your teeth.
The Importance of Knowing About the Differences When It Comes to Manual vs Electric Toothbrushes
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of what the differences are when it comes to manual vs electric toothbrushes. As we can see, both kinds of brushes can be useful ways to clean your teeth. The important thing is to brush frequently and thoroughly, no matter which tool you use.
It is also important that you visit your dentist for regular check-ups to make sure that your teeth are strong and healthy. If you’re looking for experienced and reputable dentists, then contact us today and see what we can do for you!