Manual or electric – which toothbrush is best?

Various studies have shown that an electric or battery-operated toothbrush removes more plaque than a manual toothbrush, but your age, the health of your teeth, and whether you’re undergoing any dental treatment are all contributing factors that would help a dentist decide if an electric toothbrush would be best for you.

Manual toothbrush

• Wide variety of options such as large, medium, or small toothbrush heads, with soft, medium, or hard bristles.
• Easy to control the pressure on your teeth which is particularly helpful for people with sensitive teeth and gums.  
• Easy to reduce pressure applied to sensitive teeth and gums.
• When kids first start brushing their own teeth, a manual toothbrush can be a better choice, as they are lighter and easier for a child to control.
• Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months
• Manual toothbrushes are also significantly cheaper than electric toothbrushes.
• As they’re smaller, they are easy to pack (and replace) when travelling.

Electric toothbrush

• Power rotation helps loosen plaque, doing most of the hard work for you.
• They can be a huge benefit for people arthritis or other conditions which can make brushing with a manual toothbrush difficult.
• Some come with variable speeds and even include a warning light when too much pressure is being applied.
• Kids view them as a ‘fun’ way to brush teeth.
• Most have a timer, so you know you’ve brushed your teeth for two minutes. Some even have timers to let you know when it’s time to move to another area in your mouth.
• Brush head needs to be changed every three months.

If you follow a good oral health routine (brushing for two minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste – and flossing regularly) you’ll have a healthy mouth whichever type of toothbrush you use. Ask your dentist whether a manual or electric toothbrush would be best for you.

Source: orthodonticsaustralia.org

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