Choosing the Best Toothbrush: Manual or Electric?

Regular tooth brushing is the most effective way of preventing the build-up of bacteria-harbouring plaque. The advice we give our patients is to brush twice a day – once before bed and at one other time during the day – and to clean interdentally once a day. We are sometimes asked whether we recommend brushing with a manual or an electric toothbrush. We would always recommend an electric toothbrush.

Advantages of an Electric Toothbrush

Here are some of the benefits that using an electric toothbrush will bestow on your regular oral hygiene routine:

• Rotary Oscillations. Electric toothbrush heads are designed to clean one tooth at a time. The head of the toothbrush is placed in the mouth and the bristles oscillate at between 1300 and 8,800 rotations per minute. The precise number will vary according to model and power setting. Efficient manual brushing will likely only achieve around 300 strokes per minute.
  
• Timer. Our hygienists recommend brushing the whole mouth for two minutes. But do people realise how long a time two minutes is? One study found an average brushing time of just 46 seconds! Many electric toothbrushes feature a timer that lets you know when you have been brushing for two minutes.
  
• Lighter Touch. Scrubbing harder is not cleaning better. Many people make the mistake of brushing too hard with a manual brush which can lead to bleeding gums and gingival recession. Electric toothbrushes inspire a lighter touch and some feature a pressure sensor to limit overbrushing.
  
• Change Heads. The head of an electric toothbrush can be changed. You can, for instance, attach a brush designed for cleaning interdentally or around implants and bridgework. 
  
• Patient Compliance. The investment in a moderately expensive piece of equipment can encourage consistent and careful use of the new gadget.
  

All in the Technique

Of course, brushing with a manual toothbrush is much healthier than not brushing at all. Whatever kind of brush you use, it is vital that you have the correct technique. Our hygienists advise slowing down your brushing speed and looking in a mirror to ensure that your brush is held at the correct angle. Check out the video on our dental hygiene page. If you are still worried that your home teeth cleaning routine may be lacking some finesse, our hygienists can train you in the correct techniques for consistently high levels of oral hygiene.

For more information on toothbrushes and techniques, book an appointment with one of our hygienists by calling our reception on 01603 632525.

What are your experiences with manual and electric toothbrushes? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.