One of the questions our patients commonly ask us here at Andersen Dental Center is: What type of toothbrush should I use?
It seems like many dentists have preferences. Some believe that electric toothbrushes are the most effective while others don’t mind manual brushing. In this article, we hope to end the great debate. To begin, here are the pros and cons of both types of toothbrushes:
Pros and Cons of an Electric Toothbrush
Pros: An electric toothbrush may encourage you to brush longer and more frequently because they are extremely easy (and fun!) for both children and adults to use. They also encourage you to brush for the proper length of time if you get one with a built-in timer. Finally, an electric toothbrush may give your mouth or gums a cleaner feel than regular toothbrushes.
Cons: There are many brands of electric toothbrushes out there working to convince you that their toothbrush is the only product you will need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This isn’t actually true. As you know, there are many dental tools available for you to keep your mouth looking and feeling great.
Another disadvantage of an electric toothbrush is the expense associated with it. Manual toothbrushes may run between $1.00 to $10.00, while an electric toothbrush could cost up to $150.00. On top of that, you need to maintain your powered toothbrush and replace the head just as often as you would toss out your manual toothbrush. So, there are costs associated with keeping your electric toothbrush going.
Remember, even though electric toothbrushes may make you feel more accomplished, don’t get lulled into a false sense of security. No type of toothbrush will be effective if you don’t brush long enough and don’t brush thoroughly.
Pros and Cons of a Manual Toothbrush
Pros: Manual toothbrushes are generally just as effective as an electric toothbrush if you brush diligently and thoroughly. Your manual toothbrush is also a lot cheaper than the electric option. You don’t need a power source when you brush with a manual toothbrush – and your electric toothbrush becomes manual if the batteries go dead.
Cons: It can be hard to remember to brush for the right amount of time without an automatic timer to help you out. Additionally, manual toothbrushes require more work and manual dexterity than a powered toothbrush.
What Do You Mean By “Brush Thoroughly?”
Here at Andersen Dental Center, we don’t recommend any type of toothbrush over another. Whether you choose to use a manual brush or an electric one, it’s important that you brush thoroughly. Here’s what we mean by that statement:
- Brush for at least two minutes.
- Clean all of the surfaces of your mouth. This includes brushing the outer and inner surfaces of your teeth and cleaning the top (or “chewing surface”) of your teeth.
- Make sure to brush your gums and tongue as well.
While we know you can brush thoroughly with or without an electric toothbrush, we will be running a really fun Sonicare giveaway on our social media. Make sure to “like” and keep an eye on our Facebook page to find out how to enter!