When it comes to your gum health and overall oral hygiene, your toothbrush is an important tool! With the rising popularity of electric toothbrushes, there’s many choices out there for you.
Let’s debate whether a powered toothbrush is better for you than a manual!
First things first, let’s talk about tooth brushing techniques!
A tool is only good if used properly! It’s a good idea to evaluate your current toothbrushing habits to see if there’s room for improvement. Here’s the toothbrushing technique recommended by the ADA for clean, healthy teeth and gums:
- Brush at a 45-degree angle (pointed to your gums)
- Gently brush back and forth over each individual tooth.
- Brush the outer surfaces, the inner surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
- Hint: to clean the inside of your front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and brush up-and-down.
Is an electric toothbrush worth the hype?
An electric toothbrush is only worth it if you use it regularly! While many prefer the control of a manual toothbrush, there’s quite a few benefits and advantages to opting for an electric, oscillating toothbrush, such as:
- Improve dexterity while brushing. Those with diminished hand strength, rheumatoid arthritis, and Parkinson’s find brushing with a powered toothbrush easier as it requires reduced use of fine-motor skills.
- Many useful built-in features. Most electric toothbrushes on the market have timers, pressure sensors, and different cleaning modes.
- More effective at plaque removal. Electric toothbrushes have soft-bristles that oscillate to complete 40,000 to 60,000 brush movements per minute.
What are the disadvantages of an electric toothbrush?
As with every benefit, there is a potential disadvantage to choosing a manual toothbrush, including:
- Cost. Electric toothbrushes are more costly than manual toothbrushes. The average electric toothbrush can be $20 to $50+ while a manual toothbrush costs about $2 to $10.
- Maintenance. Electric toothbrushes have interchangeable heads that must be replaced every 3 to 4 months (or when the bristles show signs of wear and tear).
- Requires charging. Electric toothbrushes are battery-powered (although all come with a simple charging base).
Is an electric toothbrush better for receding gums?
If gum disease is not in play, brushing too aggressively can be the reason behind gum recession. Your gum tissue is a soft tissue and can be irritated by hard bristles or rough brushing. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor light can help you learn the right pressure to use to remove plaque without causing unnecessary wear and tear on your gums and teeth enamel.
Are manual toothbrushes good?
We’re not trying to sell manual toothbrushes short! In fact, manual toothbrushes in the right circumstances can be incredibly effective. Here’s a few pros to choosing manual toothbrushes
- Affordable.
- Low maintenance.
- Travel-friendly.
Still have more questions about electric toothbrushes vs manual toothbrushes?
Choose the toothbrush that fits best into your oral hygiene routine and lifestyle! Having the right tools for you can make oral care all that much easier for you, while improving your oral health.
Looking for help on improving your gum health or a dental implant specialist? Schedule an exam with our experienced periodontists and implantologists!
Come meet with us in Tampa or New Port Richey/Trinity, we’d love to help support your journey to a happier, healthier mouth!
