Oral health and personal hygiene is one of the most important aspects of everyday life and the state of our teeth and gums can tell a lot about our overall health.
Dentists recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes to keep the teeth and gums clean and strong, but how you brush your teeth is just as important as how often you do it.
So, when it comes to deciding whether you should brush with an electric toothbrush or a traditional manual toothbrush which is better for your oral health?
The short answer is that neither a manual or electric toothbrush is a “better” option, despite what the marketing materials for these products may tell you. In fact, a manual toothbrush may actually be a slightly better option for maintaining your oral health, while an electric toothbrush may have a slight advantage in terms of reducing plaque and other soft deposits on teeth. The fact is, both manual and electric toothbrushes have their own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to know what each one offers so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you.
A 30 day clinical trial comparing electric and manual toothbrushes as a method of removing plaque from dental work proved that those using the electric brush experienced a greater reduction in plaque than those using the manual brush, but all participants received similar feedback from their dentists with regard to gum health.
So after sharing this information with one another, participants were told to stick to what has been working for them. That is, many of my clients who had been using manual brushes for several decades had learnt great routine and technique by brushing their teeth daily. As such I recommended they remain faithful to what made sense to them; unless they spotted any signs of gum disease over time.
MANUAL TOOTHBRUSHES
One method of brushing your teeth is with a manual toothbrush. These brushes are made of bristles instead of hard plastic, usually nylon, and they typically come in soft or medium textures. While they may take more skill to use than some options, like electric ones for example, by using good technique you’ll be able to brush your teeth in a way that achieves great results! To help you decide if a manually-powered toothbrush is best for you, we have outlined the details below.
ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES
The electric brushes do most of the work for you. You just need to move the brush head over the teeth and let the brush take care of removing plaque buildup. And this is why you don’t have to worry about developing tartar because the electric brush removes it before it even has a chance to form, so you’re less reliant on correct brushing technique. We also find that the smaller heads of an electric toothbrush means it can reach tight spots, like right at the back molar, which is part of why people develop tartar buildups there in the first place.
We’ve received a lot of clients from mid-recession, and they all have been coming in with the same concerns. These concerns revolve mostly around recession-related health issues, which also affect their smile . In order to help these patients regain their smile, I highly recommend investing in an electric toothbrush that will ultimately do most of your scrubbing for you! The best part is, if you tend to overdo it when it comes to cleaning your teeth – the brush will stop! Electric toothbrushes also come equipped with a lightweight feature that makes them easy to handle for those who might have arthritis or other conditions. And instead of a buzzing sound from your old manual brush, these brushes come with fadetimers that let you know exactly when to swap out between top and bottom brushing sets.
YOUR CHOICE AND THE IMPACT
Whatever toothbrush you choose, try to maintain a daily oral hygiene schedule. Flossing your teeth at least once a day and brushing twice a day prevents plaque from building up. Every six months, make sure you go in for a check-up and clean to ensure your oral health is on track.
ARE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES SAFE FOR CHILDREN?
The best toothbrushes for your child is one they love and enjoy using for them to maintain good dental hygiene. The sort of toothbrush that will work best is actually dependent on what your child prefers and enjoys the most. Some kids like the fun and friendly brushes that come with characters they like, while some prefer electric toothbrushes because they figure it makes their teeth cleaning easier.
While it’s unlikely any good dentist would steer you away from an electric toothbrush, you should keep in mind that an adult or older child might find the back-and-forth action of a manual toothbrush preferable because it helps ensure optimal plaque removal.
The flashiest electric tooth brushes may steals the spotlight, but don’t be fooled. There are a wide range of manual options out there that your child will enjoy brushing their teeth with, and that might even lead to a lifetime of good oral health. Your kid is more likely to develop good dental hygiene habits when he or she enjoys brushing his or her teeth.
SUMMARY
Manual and electric brushes are both equally effective at removing plaque, as long as you use the correct brushing technique. However, it is encouraged to switch to an electric toothbrush with oscillating head for a superior clean and better protection from gum disease. Particularly if one has a condition that stops them from using a manual brush.
And the best way to stop ones teeth from decaying is by brushing twice a day – preferably morning and night. However, for those who are experiencing gingivitis, one may wish to consider looking into electric toothbrushes with oscillating heads as their primary source of teeth cleaning.
Bright Smiles Dentistry can advise you on the best suited toothbrush, traditional or electric, that suits your mouth, age and general needs.