One of the most common questions we get at Country Club Dental is, “are electric toothbrushes better than manual ones?” We can confidently say, yes!
Think about it: you use a toothbrush twice a day, which means the toothbrush you use is an important tool. When selecting a toothbrush, you want to look for qualities that will help you achieve your brushing goal: to remove plaque. Removing plaque reduces the possibility of developing tooth decay. Electric toothbrushes have multiple advantages over manual ones for a variety of reasons.
Are Electric Toothbrushes More Effective?
A toothbrush’s job is to eliminate plaque and bacteria that has built up on your teeth. A regular toothbrush will do this if you use it properly, but an electric toothbrush has several advantages:
- Scrubs away more plaque. A 2014 study observed 51 patients using manual vs. electric toothbrushes for at least four weeks. Those who used electric toothbrushes saw a greater reduction of plaque as compared with those who used manual ones.
- Prevents gingivitis. The patients mentioned in the study above saw a significant decrease in gum disease symptoms as well.
- Covers more ground. Because of their rotating heads, electric toothbrushes provide powerful plaque-removal to each tooth they touch.
- Fights bad breath. Because electric toothbrushes remove more harmful bacteria and plaque that can cause halitosis, they keep your breath fresher.
Are They Better for Kids?
We find that kids enjoy electric toothbrushes. After all, the fact that they electronically clean your teeth is cool! Also, they’re often marketed with kid-friendly images and characters. They’re a great way to encourage your child to regularly brush.
Are They Easier to Use?
It’s true that electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual ones, but are they easier to use? Overall, they are! They’re easily controlled by any user, including kids and those with mobile disabilities, like arthritis.
In addition, many have an internal timer. You probably know to brush each section of your mouth for 30 seconds each, for a total of 2 minutes. An electric toothbrush’s timer makes this process all the easier, as you no longer have to count in your head.
Why An Electric Toothbrush May Not Be For You
While electric toothbrushes have many advantages, they do have a few drawbacks, as well. Most patients find that they’re worth it despite these small disadvantages, but every patient is different. What matters most is that you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes.
Note that they are a hair more expensive than a regular brush. Also note that, while durable, they will need a head replacement, just as a manual toothbrush needs to be replaced.
As stated earlier, electric toothbrushes have proven effective for patients with various disabilities. But issues like anxiety or fine-motor problems may make manual toothbrushes a better choice.
Family Dentist in Flagstaff
At Country Club Dental in Flagstaff, your family’s oral health is our priority and passion. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush today. But don’t forget, just because it seems like your toothbrush is doing all the work, don’t skip your bi-annual cleanings and exams. When it comes to dental health, we’re on your side!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (2/10/21). Image by Bored Photographer on Unsplash.
