When you think of the word toothbrush, you probably think of the standard plastic manual toothbrush that most people use daily. It’s important to know that these are not the only kinds of toothbrushes out there for you to use. There are also electric toothbrushes which make quick automatic brushing oscillations to clean your teeth. You may even know someone who uses an electric toothbrush and have asked yourself if it’s a better brushing alternative.
Here are the pros and cons of both manual and electric toothbrushes so you can decide whether or not to switch over to an electric brush:
Electric Toothbrush
- PROS:
- Easy to use: Electric toothbrushes tend to be easier to use than manual brushes since the brush does most of the work. These brushes are also easier to use for people who find it difficult to hold and brush using a manual toothbrush.
- Fun for kids: These brushes tend to be more fun to use for children than manual brushes. This is great because it instill good oral hygiene habits at a younger age since they will actually enjoy brushing with an electric toothbrush.
- Built in timer: As your dentist has probably told you before, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. While using a manual brush, you may rush the process and find yourself brushing for less than two minutes. Many electric toothbrushes have built in timers that will automatically turn off the brush after two minutes. This ensures that you are brushing for the proper amount of time in order to keep your teeth, gums and mouth clean.
- CONS:
- Expensive: Electric toothbrushes are generally pretty expensive and definitely cost more than the manual brushes. Since these brushes aren’t very cost effective, it may not be the best option for everyone.
- Bulky: These brushes are also much larger and more bulky than a manual brush. This makes them a little more inconvenient to travel with.
- Can break easily: Unlike a manual toothbrush, an electric brush is pretty fragile and can easily break if it is dropped. If it breaks you then have to pay a pretty penny to buy a new one.
- Have to be charged: Another hassle associated with the electric toothbrush is the need to be charged. For many people this can be seen as an inconvenience especially if they are forgetful and often forget to charge their brush. This is also a hassle for traveling and now having to pack your bulky toothbrush and the charger as well.
Manual Toothbrush
- PROS:
- More control: with a manual toothbrush, you’ll have much more control over your brushing and how you’re brushing. This is beneficial if you have sensitive areas in your mouth that are irritated when using an electric toothbrush.
- Smaller: These brushes are significantly smaller than an electric brush making them more travel friendly and easier to pack anywhere without having a charger to worry about either.
- Inexpensive: Manual toothbrushes are much less expensive than electric brushes. This makes them more cost effective and easier to replace when it is time.
- Clean just as well: While many people think that your mouth can only be cleaned properly by using an electric brush, if you use a proper brushing technique and brush at least twice a day for two minutes with a manual brush, your teeth will be just fine.
- CONS:
- Rely on the user: A manual brush completely relies on the user to get the mouth clean. Since it requires a bit more work than an electric brush, some people may not be getting the best clean.
- Challenging for some to use: Some people such as elderly people and people with motor difficulties may find it harder to hold and use a manual brush and therefore are not brushing as well as they should be.
- No timer: Finally, a manual brush does not come equipped with a built in timer like some electric brushes do. An easy solution for this is to bring a kitchen timer in the bathroom when you brush your teeth and set it for two minutes so that you know how long to brush for to ensure the deepest clean for your teeth.
Filed Under: Best Way To Floss
