Toothbrushes : Electric Vs Manual, which one is better?

Electric or Manual toothbrushes? This is one of our most frequently asked questions! Our answer? It’s not the brush that matters, it’s who’s doing the brushing. Let’s break that down. The goal of tooth brushing is to remove plaque from your teeth on a consistent (after-every-meal- daily!) basis, so that we prevent the buildup of sugar bugs and plaque then hard rough tartar which leads to tooth decay and gum diseases such as gingivitis (severe redness on your gum) and periodontitis (severe redness on your gum and bone loss and bad severe smelly bad breaths or HALITOSIS).

A manual toothbrush is a great and inexpensive tool that helps us do just that. Try to brush with soft bristles. Make sure to brush two minutes per day, twice a day. Gently brush ALL surfaces and make sure to reach those back molars. Remember to replace the manual toothbrush every 1-2 months if the bristles are visibly frayed. For some people, it can be difficult to brush properly with a manual toothbrush.

Use fine flour-like texture toothpaste so it will not wear out your teeth enamel and dentin. It is about your taste of the toothpaste such as Sensodyne, Crest or Colgate. Any paste works well as long as it is fine and non-abrasive. Use just a small pea size or tip of your pinky is enough. Don’t waste too much paste since you really don’t need that much.

Those with some form of motor disability or arthritis may benefit from using an electric toothbrush. An electric brush can also be helpful for kids or anyone with braces. The same tooth brushing rules apply – two times per day, two minutes at a time. One advantage of an electric toothbrush is that some have a built-in timer. If you’re one of those quick brushers who has a hard time making it to two minutes, consider using a timed electric brush. At your next dental visit, ask us whether we think you would do better with a manual or electric brush! As always, don’t forget to floss!