To avoid constant trips to the dentist, you need to brush your teeth correctly. One of the questions our clients ask a lot is whether manual or electric toothbrushes are better. So, to settle the score once and for all, we introduce the pros and cons of each type of toothbrush to help you decide which is best for you.
Electric toothbrush
Pros
Easy to use: Providing you get the technique right, an electric toothbrush is super easy to use. It also gives you a much better chance of reaching all of your teeth and getting to stubborn plaque in harder-to-access areas of your mouth.
Tackles plaque: Research shows that using an electric toothbrush enables you to remove up to 21% more plaque than using a manual brush. Given that a build-up of plaque causes significant issues for your teeth, this is worth thinking about.
Better timing: Lots of electric toothbrushes come with a timer that vibrates when it’s time to move to another part of your mouth. This ensures you cover all your teeth and don’t spend too much time on one section.
Cons
Expense: An electric toothbrush can cost anywhere between £20 – £200, depending on the model you opt for. You also have to buy replacement heads, and you also need to think about the cost of charging it up.
Need replacing: Just like all electronics, your electric toothbrush won’t last forever. The time will come when you need to replace it with a newer model.
Cumbersome: If you have limited space in your bathroom or if you travel a lot, electric toothbrushes aren’t particularly portable. It’s ideal to have a manual toothbrush as a backup if you’re a frequent traveller, as packing your electric toothbrush and its associated gadgets is far from ideal.
Manual toothbrush
Pros
Cheap & widely available: You can pick up a manual toothbrush for a few pounds from supermarkets, chemists, and various other shops.
Gimmick free: While electric toothbrushes seem to have all the latest gimmicks to make your life so much easier, manual toothbrushes get the job done without the technology. If you’re looking for something simple, a manual toothbrush is for you.
Lots of choices: There are so many different types of manual toothbrushes out there, with different designs and bristles to choose from, depending on your budget.
Cons
More work: Scrubbing your teeth with a manual toothbrush requires a little more elbow grease! While it’s not really hard work, it’s certainly not as easy as holding an electric toothbrush in your mouth.
Cheap options are ineffective: Because there are so many manual toothbrushes out there, if you opt for the cheapest options, they might not get the job done.
Brushing too hard/too soft: Finally, when you’re using a manual toothbrush, you’re in charge of the pressure. This can cause you to brush too hard or too soft, which can both be bad for your teeth.
The verdict
Ultimately, choosing a manual or electric toothbrush is down to personal choice, as they both get the job done. The most important thing is to brush your teeth twice a day and maintain good oral hygiene.
If you’re planning a trip to the dentist or hygienist, get in touch with us today, and we’d be delighted to schedule you in for an appointment.
