Electric vs. Manual- Which is Better?

With everything this day and age moving towards electronic, are they really worth the extra expense?

Benefits of Manual 

“Usually an electric toothbrush like an Oral-B electric or a Sonicare toothbrush is highly recommended by me.  Let the brush do the work and healthier teeth and gums will result at your next dental check-up,” Dr. Cirka says.  But there are times where a traditional, manual brush is best.  Here are the reasons and for whom:

Child Friendly

Manual toothbrushes are not only safe for children, but easy to use.  When teaching children how to brush for the first time, many manual ones are created even softer to not hurt or discourage them from brushing.  Just the noise and vibration of an electric brush can intimidate beginners.

Less Pressure

Placing too much pressure on your teeth can lead to hyper sensitivity, reduced tooth enamel, pain and even higher risk of tooth decay.

Easily Mobile

Not only are electric toothbrushes bulkier/heavier than manual ones, you also have to travel with their charger to ensure you’re getting the maximum cleaning possible from them.

Availability and Price

For years people have been getting the cleaning they need from common simple brushes in all stores, just like the ones given at the dental visits.

Recommended Electric:  When and Why?

In some cases, electric toothbrushes are suggested to increase oral hygiene for certain situations.  Those who can not do the best job cleaning manually include elderly, those who have arthritis or any others who have limited mobility or poor grip strength.

Choosing the Right Electric Toothbrush for You

Electric toothbrushes today come with tons of features that aren’t necessary essential. Although it sounds great to have a toothbrush that has a timer or pressure sensors that tell you when you are brushing too hard, studies show that those features do not always lead to increase oral health among users.

The Common Question

When it is time to replace my toothbrush?

Toothbrushes, manual or electric, need to be replaced every 3 months or when the bristles are no longer firm and effective.  “It is especially important for you to replace your brush more frequently if you had a recent illness, as you don’t to reinfect yourself!”, Cirka says.

For more information on brushing and oral care, schedule a consult today! 215-568-6222