Is An Electric Toothbrush Essential?
Looking at the pros and cons of different types of toothbrush.
It is a question that comes up time and again. “Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual one?” It is a good question and, increasingly, the fact that more and more people are now using an electric toothbrush would suggest that most people believe this to be true. On the other hand, this might simply be so because electric toothbrushes are more heavily advertised on TV which makes us more aware of them and therefore more likely to buy them.
In today’s SG Dental and Implant Centre blog, we will try to address some of the main issues that are discussed when debating the merits of an electric or manual toothbrush. Needless to say, whichever you choose, using it is the most important thing of all.
The pluses of an electric toothbrush
If we had to come down on one side or the other, most dentists would probably agree that the electric brush option is best. This doesn’t mean that a manual toothbrush is obsolete of course.
The fact is that an electric toothbrush does much of the work for you. The rotating bristles replace much of the physical action you would have to take to achieve a similar effect. This would be especially useful for people such as the elderly or anyone with mobility issues, as well as children who tend towards taking the easy option when cleaning their teeth. Letting the bristles do the work for them is never a bad idea.
Some electric brushes also have a sensor included that causes the brush to cut out if too much pressure is applied. This is useful as a lot of people have the tendency to ‘scrub’ their teeth rather than brush them gently as you should do. Too much pressure can lead to premature enamel erosion and potentially sensitive teeth which can be painful. Cutting the brush off if you do this with an electric toothbrush, helps you to avoid this particular problem.
Manual toothbrushes
The manual toothbrush would probably feel slightly aggrieved if it was capable of doing so. For years, it did a good solid job of keeping our teeth clean, only to be rapidly replaced by a newcomer in the form of the electric brush. The truth is that, although we generally believe an electric one to be better, that doesn’t mean that you can’t keep your teeth and gums clean using a manual toothbrush.
One thing that manual toothbrushes probably have over an electric one is that it is more obvious when bristles are starting to wear out. The larger surface area makes this more noticeable. Given the fact that they are relatively cheap, people are more likely to replace them more often. Electric brush users may keep a worn out head for much longer as it is less noticeable. Using worn bristles to brush your teeth is less effective at removing food particles and plaque from the teeth and gum line and may lead to gum disease.
All about the technique
The fact is that although the electric toothbrush probably has a slight edge, both types of toothbrush can keep your teeth and gums clean. The key is in how you brush your teeth and for how long. Provided that you spend a full two minutes brushing your teeth, angling the bristles so that the gum line is reached into, and making sure to spit but not rinse afterwards, either type of brush should do a solid job of cleaning your teeth. If you feel comfortable using a manual brush but not an electric one, by all means stick with the manual. If you aren’t sure, why not try an electric one for a while and see how you get on. We are always happy to discuss this with you at your local Burton dentist.
Don’t forget to floss
In the debate above, one other important aspect of oral health care can become lost. We are talking about the humble dental floss. This is a cheap and easy way of reaching the area between the teeth that toothbrush bristles often can’t reach. This can lead to decay in this area and also gum disease problems. Some patients claim that using floss is too difficult, but it really isn’t. It just takes a little time and practice and you will soon be doing it quite easily. Doing this every night makes a big difference to your teeth and gums. For those with mobility issues etc, there are alternatives in the form of interdental sticks or water flossers if required. We are happy to discuss these with you.
The bottom line then is that while electric brushes may have the edge, the most important thing is to brush well, whether manual or electric, making sure your bristles aren’t worn. Do this gently with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, spit but don’t rinse and floss as well. If you follow that regime with either type of brush, you really won’t go far wrong.
As part of your oral health care, we also suggest that you see our Burton dental hygienist for a professional clean twice a year. To make an appointment with ours, please call the SG Dental and Implant Centre on 01283 845345.