Electric Toothbrushes vs Manual Toothbrushes

Electric Toothbrushes vs Manual Toothbrushes.

3rd June 2021

All of us brush our teeth as it is the foundation of good oral care and prevention. Many of us dentists come across the age old debate of whether an electric toothbrush is better than a manual. The truth is both electric and manual toothbrushes have their own benefits, in this blog we’ll go over the pros and cons and hopefully help you decide which one will work best for you.

Electric toothbrush benefits

It has long been documented that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing build up and plaque. A study has shown that after three months of use, plaque can reduce by 21 percent. Electric toothbrushes also make it easier to achieve the ideal result of plaque removal. They also found that oscillating toothbrushes may work better than ones that just vibrate. In addition to this, many electric models are more accessible for people with limited mobility. As they do most of the work for you, they are a great option for people with arthritis or carpal tunnel. Many also enjoy the fact that their electric toothbrush comes with a built-in timer. Not only does this help you improve your focus, it also helps you make sure you’re brushing your teeth for long enough.

Electric toothbrush cons

One of the biggest barriers when it comes to electric toothbrushes is cost. Electric toothbrushes are a lot more expensive than manual ones. With prices ranging anywhere from £25 – £250, it’s understandable that these aren’t attainable for all. Not to mention, the cost of new replacement brushes as well. Some people don’t like the vibrating feeling either!

Manual toothbrush benefits

People have been using manual toothbrushes long before electric ones came along, so they are still an effective tool! Not only are they a more affordable option, they’re an accessible one too. You can buy them pretty much anywhere.

Manual toothbrush cons

Although manual toothbrushes are a more cheaper option, many of us actually brush too hard when using them. This is problematic as you can sometimes end up hurting both your gums and teeth if you brush too hard. The lack of built-in timer can hinder us sometimes too as you may be underbrushing or in some cases overbrushing. Consider using a timer in your bathroom to avoid this.