Manual or Electric Toothbrush?

While manual toothbrushes are still popular nowadays, some people have already been upgrading to electric toothbrushes. There are certain reasons why people choose to use electric toothbrushes. These fancy toothbrushes will not replace the traditional one, so there should be no hype. A quality manual toothbrush can still surpass even the best electric toothbrush in terms of convenience and cost. Any toothbrush will function well if the person knows how to use it properly.

Do you really need an electric toothbrush?

The manual toothbrush cannot be easily replaced by its electric counterpart, because it has performed very well since the time it became commercially available.

The cost of the usual toothbrush is its biggest advantage. For most people, it is absurd to spend too much for a toothbrush. There is something that you could use every day that costs only a few dollars and is effective in cleaning your teeth, so why go for the more expensive one when the cheaper one is good enough? At the same time, manual toothbrushes are available everywhere.

Another disadvantage of electric ones is their bulkiness. The usual one can be conveniently stuffed into even a small bag of toiletries when you travel.

Your dexterity plays a key role when you are brushing your teeth. When you hold your toothbrush you automatically determine how much pressure you need to apply on your teeth when brushing. This is something you would work a little bit harder with on electric toothbrushes. Chances are you could place too much pressure on your teeth. Too much pressure on teeth causes fast erosion of the tooth enamel. This is why the usual toothbrush is the safer option.

When can you use an electric one?

Just because manual toothbrushes have more plus factors, does not mean that electric ones are completely useless. For people who cannot manually brush their teeth for some reason, the electric type is the better option. People with disabilities, arm injuries, and other conditions that affect their ability to use their hands may benefit from electric toothbrushes.

Electric toothbrushes have diverse features. Some only have the basic rotating feature, while others have pressure sensors and timers. But regardless of the features, the most important thing is the bristles. They should be soft enough to not damage the gums or erode the tooth enamel. They should also be properly arranged for effective cleaning. There are special types that have been designed to reach difficult areas.

Certain types of electric toothbrushes are better at cleaning teeth than other kinds. The ability to remove plaque and prevent gum problems depends basically on the motion of the bristles. Some electric ones have bristles that move in one direction only. The best electric toothbrush is one whose bristles move in alternate directions where the bristles move first in one direction and then rotate in the opposite direction. This alternating clockwise and counterclockwise rotation cleans the teeth better than a one-direction rotation.

Unless you have a fractured arm, it's probably better to stick with the manual toothbrush and learn how to brush properly. You also need to floss your teeth to remove debris in-between teeth. Brush your tongue and the insides of the cheek too. Follow every dentist's advice: brush your teeth at least twice daily. Also, you must replace your toothbrushes once the bristles have worn out, which usually would be every two months.