Electric toothbrushes have been on the market for years, and you may still be thinking if they really work better or if we’ve all been duped. Dr. Motiwala Dental Clinic & Implant Centre is here to clear up some of the confusion about electric vs. manual toothbrushes by separating fact from fiction.
What’s Wrong With the Old One?
Nothing… really. People have been brushing their teeth by hand since the middle ages, and manual toothbrushes still work well today. So why try to make a wheel that doesn’t already roll? Simple: We move forward because of technology and new ideas. Wheels aren’t made of stone anymore; they’re made of high-tech metals and rubber because we’ve found better materials and shapes that fit our needs today. Yes, they both get to the same place, but it’s clear that one is much better at it.
So, the question isn’t what’s wrong with hand toothbrushes, but what’s wrong with how we use them. Most of the time, all you need to avoid tooth decay and gum disease is a manual toothbrush, floss, and the right way to use them. The trouble is that most of us don’t brush long enough or in the right way to clean our teeth and gums well. This is called “drive-by brushing.”
Don’t Fight the Power
People are urged to stand up and speak out for social justice, and the power of electric toothbrushes is one cause you might want to join. Electric toothbrushes can clean at up to 30,000 strokes per minute, while hand brushes can only clean at up to 200 strokes per minute. More brush sweeps mean more plaque is removed, so that fact alone should be enough to convince you that an electric brush is worth the extra money.
After three months of use, electric toothbrushes get rid of 21% more plaque and 11% more gingivitis than manual ones, according to an analysis of 56 studies done by the international group Cochrane in 2014.
Don’t Work So Hard
Do you ever find it hard to get up the energy to brush your teeth and floss before bed? No… just us? Ok. Well, if you did, you might be interested to hear that electric toothbrushes are not only better than manual ones, but they also take less work. Manual brushes require you to use your own strength to move the brush in small rounds instead of up and down. But with electric ones, you can just sit back and let the brush do the work. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do anything. You still have to move the brush along each tooth surface and get the bristles between teeth and under the gum line. So, even if your technique isn’t great (like most of us), you can be sure you’re still getting a good clean every time.
The right way to brush your teeth takes some dexterity, which can be hard for kids, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Electric brushes are great for everyone, but they can be especially helpful for these groups of people who may have trouble brushing their teeth well on their own.
But They Cost So Much!
Not as bad as a dental crown or care for gum disease! We know that an electric brush can cost more than three times as much as a manual one, and that you often get a manual brush for free after going to the doctor, but if you look at the lifetime value and return on your investment, electric is the way to go. Electric brushes can cost anywhere from $30 to $200 or more, but since they can clean up to 150 times better, the money is well spent.
If you know how to brush and floss perfectly and have never had tooth rot or gingivitis, then a manual toothbrush might be fine for you. If you’re like the rest of us, though, you should get an electric toothbrush. We’d be happy to give you a suggestion that fits your wants and budget. Use light pressure, a 45-degree angle, and small circle motions for at least two minutes, twice a day, no matter what brush you use, for the best results.
Call us today if you want to talk to your doctor about toothbrushes.
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