As a registered Cardiff based dental practice we have our own recommendations as to what we advise our clients however, from an unbiased point of view here are some arguments for and against the use of manual and electric toothbrushes.
Manual
The positives
Manual toothbrushes come in a bigger variety compared with electric toothbrushes. You can choose from small, medium, large heads and you often have a range of bristle types. Some people prefer harsher bristles for a deeper clean whereas others prefer soft to prevent scraping of the gums.
The price
There’s no denying that manual toothbrushes are a lot cheaper than electric brushes with some professionals arguing that they do the same job. With a huge variety and a noticeably lower price the manual is the obvious choice when it comes to affordability.
The brush
Manual toothbrushes are usually physically a lot gentler than electric toothbrushes as you only brush using your hand. You are able to control how fast and slow you go. For example, if your gums are hurting you can brush lightly – you may not get that flexibility with an electric toothbrush.
Electric
The positives
Electric toothbrushes offer more features than a manual. Some toothbrushes come built in with a timer allowing you to time yourself which makes for more effective brushing. Most come with speed variants, pulsating and oscillating heads.
With certain products you can select your ‘mode’ for example; cleaning, whitening and polish.
The heads of the brush can be replaced at any time whereas when a manual reaches its ‘sell-by-date’ then it’s time to throw it away and invest in a new one.
In short, electric toothbrushes are a lot less effort!
The brush
Most electric toothbrushes come with an ‘instruction manual’ directing you on how best to use the product. They tend to provide a more thorough cleaning ritual as the speed and shape of most brushes allow you to reach into the gaps of your teeth. Electric toothbrushes provide deep cleaner and their speed usually makes for a more intense cleaning experience.
The price
You can’t put a price on a good smile. When you buy an expensive toothbrush you are making an investment in your oral health. Most electric toothbrushes have been tried and tested and thus provide great results.
As a dental practice we advise our clients based on their circumstances. The decision with ultimately be with yourselves and it will depend on your current oral hygiene.
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