Are Electric Toothbrushes Better?
According to the American Dental Association, which puts its seal of approval on all sorts of dental products, both manual and electric toothbrushes can effectively remove plaque from the teeth and gums. Although both types of toothbrushes are effective, research pretty clearly reveals that one is better than the other.
Manual vs. Electric Toothbrush: Which Is Better?
Manual toothbrushes put the brusher in the driver’s seat. Brushing technique and timing are totally up to you. You control the angle, the pressure, and the speed. While manual toothbrushes can get the job done, electric toothbrushes tend to do it better.
Electric toothbrushes take over almost all of the brushing process. Their oscillating heads move much faster than any human could hope to brush. Plus, most models run even 30 seconds for each quadrant of teeth, ensuring you brush for the recommended two minutes.
Don't Take Our Word for It. The Scientific Skinny on Toothbrushes
According to several scientific studies, electric toothbrushes are much more effective at cleaning teeth and gums than manual toothbrushes.
An 11-years-long study – the longest of its type – followed nearly 3,000 people and found that, compared to those who use manual toothbrushes, people who use electric toothbrushes had healthier teeth, healthier gums, less tooth decay, and kept their natural teeth longer.
A review of 56 studies with over 5,000 participants found that electric toothbrushes decrease plaque and gingivitis effectively. After three months of use, electric toothbrushes decreased plaque by 21% and gingivitis by 11%. The study also found that electric toothbrushes with oscillating heads tend to be more effective.
Can Spending on an Electric Toothbrush Save You Money?
For many, the initial cost of an electric toothbrush and the price of replacing its brush heads monthly presents a barrier to use and keeps them firmly in the manual toothbrush camp.
However, investing in preventive dental care and practicing good oral hygiene habits can actually end up saving you money. When you prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other serious oral health problems from developing, you’ll save money on expensive dental treatments and costly health problems in the future.
Should You Invest in an Electric Toothbrush?
If you’re concerned about the cost of an electric toothbrush, we welcome you to talk with Dr. Mott at Kenmore Smiles Family Dentistry about your individual oral health risks. We can help you determine whether an electric toothbrush could help you or teach you better brushing techniques if you choose to stick with your trusted manual bristles.
