We're often asked by patients, which is better for them, a manual or electric toothbrush? This week, we're going to explore the answer to that question for all those of you out there who are curious.
The simple answer is that people-powered toothbrushes can be just as effective as any fancy electric toothbrush, but each have pros and cons depending on oral hygiene habits and preference. A manual toothbrush may be easier to travel with, for example, while an electric toothbrush may use a brushing timer to help you establish a better oral hygiene routine. If you need recommendations of styles or brands, your dentist should be more than happy to share some with you.
If you regularly brush for the American Dental Association's recommend amount of time (2-3 minutes, 2 times per day) and floss at least once per day, there's no need for you to rush out and buy an electric toothbrush. It will look cool sitting on your bathroom sink counter, but it likely won't bring you any significant additional oral health benefits, despite what's written all over the box. Some people, however, enjoy the sensation, feel, and ease of an electric toothbrush. If that's you, we recommend using whatever tools you need to achieve your best oral health.
Research and statistics tell us that children experience way too high of a rate of dental decay. In addition to many other factors, this is an indicator that many children may not have strong enough oral health habits. Because of this, we sometimes recommend to parents that they try out an electric toothbrush to see if it fosters any motivation for their kids to brush more often or for the appropriate amount of time.
Some toothbrush makers, such as Braun Oral B, have conducted marketing research studies that claim the majority of people who use their mechanical products report better oral health, perhaps for some of the reasons above, but there's not much strong objective evidence to support significant health gains with an electric toothbrush for any specific reason.
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If you're on the fence about buying an electric toothbrush, talk to your dentist first and ask what they'd recommend for your specific oral health conditions. If you enjoy our blog, please consider liking our Facebook page to see when we make new posts!