Toothbrushes: Regular vs. Electric

Toothbrushes: Regular vs. Electric
Posted on 01/01/2018

electric vs. manual toothbrushThe key to a beautiful smile is a great oral hygiene routine that keeps your mouth in top condition every day. At the core of that routine is your toothbrush, the tool of choice for that crucial first step in cleaning away all of that bacteria and food that has built up on your teeth throughout the day.  Toothbrushes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but there are two types of toothbrushes that are always compared and battle for the title of being the best. We’re talking about electric toothbrushes versus your trusty manual toothbrushes.  


While they both do their job of keeping your teeth clean, determining which one does that job better is a common debate. Today, your local experts here at Myers Orthodontics are going to look at the advantages of each, so you can decide which one you think is better.  


The Electric Brush Advantage


There’s a wide variety when it comes to electric toothbrush options, from the single-use battery powered brushes to the rechargeable ones with interchangeable brush heads. Whichever kind you choose, all electric brushes are designed to do the hard work for you. Many studies have shown that the vibrating or rotating heads of electric brushes are more effective at removing plaque, getting bristles deeper between your teeth and massage your gums for a flat-out better cleaning.  While manual brushes require proper brushing form to get the most out of them, which many people struggle to execute perfectly, electric brushes automate that technique, leaving you with a healthier mouth.


Adding on to their general increased effectiveness, there are even some electric brushes that come equipped with other tools and capabilities such as a built-in timer or integration with an app that can tell you where you have plaque buildup or what teeth you didn’t brush enough.  These features not only help people maintain better oral health, but also make brushing more fun and accessible for kids and adults alike.


The only downsides to electric toothbrushes are their inherent lack of portability for those who travel and the fact that they can potentially damage braces. Since the electric toothbrush heads are usually made of a hard material, if it makes contact with a bracket or archwire when vibrating or rotating, it can cause damage to the braces that would need to be repaired. However, if used properly, electric brushes can be more effective at clearing away food particles and bacteria from hard to reach places in among the braces.


The Unrivaled Convenience Of Manual Brushes


Looking at your trusty manual brush, while it may not be as fancy and riddled with technology like its electric counterpart, it does the job just fine. However, the key to that brush working effectively falls entirely upon you and your brushing technique. Without proper technique, you could be missing bacteria and food particles that can quickly turn into plaque and eat away at your teeth.  While the results may not be immediately apparent, you will probably have to deal with tooth decay a bit more often.  


Where manual brushes truly shine is in their simplicity. If you’re traveling regularly or simply taking a vacation, you can just grab your toothbrush and be done, without having to pack up additional charging equipment, head replacements and more.  If the bristles on your brush are starting to fray or you lose your brush and need a replacement, you can take a quick trip to the store and pick up a new one for a couple dollars. Compare that to having to replace a $50+ machine that broke or had some sort of electronic issue. Electric toothbrushes cannot compete with the convenience that manual brushes offer.


In the end, manual brushes give you complete control over your brushing routine, which is its greatest strength in the right hands, and its greatest weakness in the wrong ones. The quality of cleaning that you get, and in turn, your likelihood of developing things like tooth decay or gum disease, is all tied to your ability to brush your teeth using proper technique.


Use The Brush That You Prefer


Unfortunately, there’s no clear winner in this debate, since both manual and electric brushes have their own advantages and disadvantages. Which is better will come down to what your personal preferences and needs are. If you want a better brushing at home, go electric, but if you want something cheap and simple, go manual.  Of course, if you need any recommendations on what kind of brush you can use, you can always contact us at Myers Orthodontics and we would be happy to help you out. Also, don’t forget to schedule your regular checkups with both us and your dentist to make sure that you’re keeping your mouth as healthy as can be!