What kind of toothbrush should I use?

You know how important it is to brush twice a day to keep your pearly whites healthy and strong. But when it comes to choosing what kind of toothbrush to use, which is better: a manual or an electric toothbrush?

Manual toothbrushes, when used properly, can certainly be an effective tool in helping to keep teeth and gums healthy. Manual toothbrushes are relatively inexpensive to buy, and they take up very little space, whether at home or on the road. The biggest downside to a manual toothbrush is that you need excellent brushing techniques and the determination to spend the time it takes to cover every tooth surface when you brush.

For people who struggle with range of motion or dexterity issues due to arthritis or other physical challenges, proper brushing techniques may be very difficult to achieve using a manual toothbrush.

Another consideration is that people tend to underestimate the amount of time they actually spend brushing manually, and often fall short of brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day. This means you can be in the danger zone for cavities and gingivitis.

Electric toothbrushes offer a host of advantages to help you clean your teeth effectively. With rotating heads and several thousand movements per minute, an electric brush can properly clean your tooth surfaces in less time than it takes with a manual brush. Many electric models come with timers and variable speed features, as well, so you don’t have to guess how long you’ve actually been brushing, and you can adjust the speed to accommodate your preference. If you wear braces, an electric toothbrush can more easily clean in and around the tight spaces between wires and the teeth.

The downside of electric toothbrushes is that they are bulkier than a manual brush, and are more expensive to purchase and maintain than a manual brush. Some people also find that the ultra-rapid motions of an electric toothbrush head can be a strange or annoying sensation at first.

Here’s the takeaway: If you’re disciplined enough to use excellent and consistent brushing techniques, a manual toothbrush can be a good tool for maintaining good oral health. However, if you have dexterity issues, or you’re not scrupulous in using proper manual brushing techniques, then an electric toothbrush is probably the better choice for you. A chat with your dentist can help you decide the best tools to help keep your teeth and gums healthy and happy!