Manual vs Electric – Find the Right Toothbrush

At Forestside Dental Practice, we understand the importance of good dental hygiene and encourage everyone to practise good oral habits every day. You should brush your teeth twice every day to keep your teeth free from plaque and your gums healthy, but what kind of toothbrush should you use? Here, we break down the pros and cons of manual and electric toothbrushes, helping you discover which is the right type of toothbrush for you.

Pros & Cons of Manual Toothbrushes

Most people use manual toothbrushes when they first learn how to brush their teeth. These toothbrushes are often made of hard plastic, though eco-friendly bamboo toothbrushes are growing in popularity. Standard manual toothbrushes have soft plastic bristles and clean teeth that can be moved in various directions.

Pros of manual toothbrushes:

• Cheap to buy - Manual toothbrushes are the most budget friendly option and can be bought for as little as £1.50 in certain shops.

• Easy to find - You can pick up a manual toothbrush in almost any supermarket, convenience shop or pharmacy. If you have forgotten your toothbrush or need a quick replacement, you will have no difficulty finding a place to buy one.

• No need for electricity or batteries - Manual toothbrushes can be used anywhere, as long as you have toothpaste and water. There is no need to worry about batteries running out or an electrical power source for charging when you use a manual toothbrush.

• Perfect for learning brushing techniques - Children should be encouraged to learn how to brush their teeth with a manual toothbrush first. Starting with a standard toothbrush will teach children proper brushing techniques and help them to understand more about how teeth should be cleaned. Once a good brushing technique has been established, it may then be suitable to introduce an electric toothbrush.

Cons of manual toothbrush:

• Too much pressure - It has been found that brushing with a manual toothbrush can result in too much pressure being applied. When you press and scrub too hard, this can cause problems for your teeth, enamel and gums. In comparison, some people do not press hard enough and are unable to remove plaque and dirt from their teeth effectively.

• Inadequate brushing time - Teeth should be brushed for 2 minutes in the morning and another 2 minutes at night. When you use a manual toothbrush, unless you set a timer or count in your head, it is too easy to cut your brushing time short.

• Not user friendly - Not everyone has the mobility or strength in their hands to clean their teeth with a toothbrush correctly. For example, people with arthritis or dexterity issues can find using a manual toothbrush extremely difficult.

Pros & Cons of Electric Toothbrushes

There are hundreds of different electric toothbrushes available on the market today, and their popularity is completely justified. At Forestside, we believe that using an electric toothbrush can give your teeth and gums a perfect clean every single day. Unlike manual toothbrushes, electric varieties do all of the cleaning work for you. Powered by batteries, the bristles on electric toothbrushes rotate, vibrate, pulsate and oscillate to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums and remove maximum amounts of plaque.

Pros of electric toothbrush:

• Simple to use - An electric toothbrush does not require you to move your hand back and forth in a scrubbing motion. The powered bristles do the job by themselves. For people with pain or mobility issues, electric toothbrushes can make daily teeth cleaning easier and pain-free.

• A deeper cleaner - Electric toothbrushes use a combination of different movements to remove plaque and deliver a deeper clean effectively. A good electric toothbrush can restore an attractive brightness to your smile and protect your teeth and gums from bacteria.

• Makes teeth brushing fun - While it is important to teach children good brushing techniques with a manual toothbrush, it is not always easy to keep them engaged in the task. There are many different electric toothbrushes designed specifically for kids, and they sometimes include lights and music to make brushing more exciting.

• 2 minutes every time - Many modern electric toothbrushes include a built-in timer. Keeping track of how long you have been brushing can be tricky, but with 30 second reminders and 2 minute timers, electric toothbrush users know exactly when to swap sides and stop brushing.

Cons of electric toothbrush:

• It can be costly - While there are budget friendly electric toothbrushes available, you will not find one for £1.50 in the pharmacy. If you are on a tight budget, it may be difficult to afford an electric toothbrush for everyone in the family.

• Needs power - A manual toothbrush is good to go at any moment, but the same can’t be said for electric toothbrushes. You will need to keep your toothbrush charged to avoid running out of power mid-clean. Also, if an electric toothbrush is out of charge, it can be all too easy to skip brushing altogether.

• Upkeep - Electric toothbrushes generally do not last forever, and you will need replacement heads to extend their life. Finding the right replacement head for your toothbrush can be difficult, especially if you are on holiday abroad. Also, if you lose or forget your charger, you may not be able to use your toothbrush until you buy a replacement properly.

Electric Toothbrush vs Manual - What Do Our Dentists Recommend?

Our experts at Forestside Dental believe the best way to get whiter and cleaner teeth is to use an electric toothbrush. In our opinion, the best electric toothbrushes are those that do the following:

• Rotate
• Oscillate
• Pulsate

Toothbrushes using these types of movements can provide a deep clean and are superior to cheap, vibrating toothbrushes. Your electric toothbrush should be rechargeable and ideally have a built-in timer function.

Studies show that electric toothbrushes have many amazing benefits, including greater plaque removal and improved overall oral health. Keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy by using one of the dentist recommended electric toothbrushes.

For best brushing results, our experts trust the following brands:

• Oral B
• Phillips Sonicare

Keep Your Teeth Clean & Healthy With Forestside Dental Practice!

Brushing your teeth twice a day is just one of the important things you need to do to keep your teeth and gums in top condition. Good oral hygiene is also maintained by visiting your dentist regularly and having dental treatment when needed.

Forestside Dental is a leading dental practice serving residents across Hampshire. To keep your teeth healthy and clean, book an appointment to see our hygienist or visit us for a 12 point routine check. Book your consultation with our friendly dentists today, or get in touch via our online contact form.