Electric Toothbrush vs Manual: Which Is The Best

Without a soft-bristled brush, you are at risk of your gums receding and possibly damaging the enamel and surrounding tissue.

Brushing your teeth at a 45-degree angle ensures that the gum line is being cleaned effectively, and if not, you are at risk of infection or disease in your gums.

Every time you brush your teeth, the clock should be running for two minutes. This is vital in ensuring every area is cleaned, and your teeth are correctly cared for. There are many electric toothbrushes with built-in timers to ensure you brush for 2-minutes.

Brushing twice a day helps prevent the build-up of tartar caused by plaque.

Plaque is soft and, if quick enough, can be brushed and flossed off your teeth.

Once plaque hardens, the only way to remove it is by scraping it off at a dental cleaning.

Excessive or forceful brushing can lead to receding and damaged gums.

If you use an electric toothbrush, you will need to change the brush head every three months. If you are using a manual toothbrush, you will need to change the entire brush every three months.

Brushing your teeth is vital to maintaining dental health but don’t forget about all other parts of a dental routine. For example, flossing must be done at least once a day as it cleans an added 40% of the tooth’s surface that brushing alone can not get. In addition, mouthwash is necessary for cleaning the entire mouth.

Almost all kinds of toothpaste in the store will get the job done, but you want to make sure you are using toothpaste that uses fluoride. Fluoride helps to strengthen your tooth’s enamel.

Because the bristles on an electric toothbrush move on their own, there is no reason for the user to push too hard and risk damage to the enamel or gums. In addition, an electric toothbrush does more work than a manual toothbrush which helps the user get a more effective clean.

Oscillating (rotating) brush heads and vibrating ones help remove plaque and prevent periodontal disease. These micro-movements from rotating and vibrating give your teeth a better clean, which helps in removing stains and giving you a whiter and brighter smile.

A study in 2015 showed that electric toothbrushes remove 21% more plaque than manual brushes and help reduce the risk of gingivitis by 11%.

While both appliances remove plaque and help with gingivitis, electric brushes remove more due to their sonic technology.

It is essential to brush your teeth for 2-minutes each time you go to brush. An electric brush has a built-in timer to turn off when the 2-minutes are up. This way, you don’t have to set a timer on your phone or keep track by staring at a clock.

Most electric toothbrushes come with a tiny head. Because it is so small, it is better for reaching the back molars and cleaning around orthodontic fixtures.

If you use an electric toothbrush with a charging port, you will seldom need to get a new brush handle. Of course, you will need to switch out the heads every three months, but you won’t have to throw everything away like a manual.

People are often more focused when using an electric toothbrush, and the experience is understood to be more enjoyable. This is because of the little work that goes into using an electric toothbrush.

Kids also find it rather fun to use these brushes.

People with arthritis, carpal tunnel, developmental disabilities, or other movement conditions should always use an electric toothbrush. They are more user-friendly and accessible for those who cannot use a lot of hand or arm motions which makes them the better choice.

Because of the oscillating movement and the small brush head, the electric toothbrush is terrific for those who have braces or other orthodontic appliances to get a better clean.

The entire brush can range from $15 to $250, and replacement heads can vary from $10 to $45, depending on the type and the amount in a pack.

Single-use electric toothbrushes can be anywhere from $5 to $8.

You will need to ensure you have extra batteries or a charging port in your bathroom to keep the toothbrush running.

In addition, if you are going to be traveling or travel a lot, you will need to consistently pack the charger, heads, brush handle, and batteries if necessary.

Because an electric toothbrush rotates and vibrates, some people may find the base vibrating off-putting since they need to hold it in their hand for so long.

Manual brushes can be found anywhere for purchase or are given to you by your dentist at your 6-month dental checkup. They also usually cost no more than $1-3 dollars, which is less expensive than an electric brush.

A manual toothbrush can fit into a drawer or toothbrush holder with ease which means it can be out of your way as much as need be. Also, without a charging port or extra batteries, your manual toothbrush is less invasive in your space.

There are many manual brushes to choose from: colors, sizes, cheap, pricey, etc. It is crucial to find one that fits your mouth perfectly; select the soft-bristled brushes.

Never choose medium or hard bristles.

Because there is no built-in movement, you have to put more effort when brushing to get those circular and back-and-forth movements you automatically get from an electric toothbrush.

When using a manual toothbrush, it is difficult to tell how hard to press, and it often results in causing issues to the teeth and gums.

You will need to track how long you are brushing your teeth to hit the 2-minute mark. You can do this by using your phone alarm or staring at the clock because a manual toothbrush will not be able to tell you when it’s time to stop.

Unlike an electric toothbrush, the head of a manual is much bigger, making it more challenging to reach the back areas of the teeth like the molars. In addition, the larger head and lack of internal movement make getting a deeper clean on orthodontic fixtures like braces challenging.

If you are not brushing at a 45-degree angle, brushing gently, or using a soft-bristled brush, you won’t receive the proper clean. An electric toothbrush eliminates the need to think about these things, but a manual does not. Therefore, to get the best clean, you will need to be conscious of these aspects of brushing.