Using An Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual Toothbrush

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Dentistry, Oral Health

If you are using a regular toothbrush you’ve probably wondered at least once if you should switch to an electric toothbrush. If you’re using an electric brush you’ve probably wondered if you really need one. Both are legitimate questions which we hope to answer in this blog.

Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual Toothbrush

In the most general terms it is probably better to have an electronic toothbrush. A research study shows that a group using electric toothbrushes had 20% less plaque than the control group using a manual toothbrush at the close of the study.

While this study was conducted almost 20 years ago, electric toothbrush technology has only improved in the meantime. Since then, electric toothbrushes have advanced to the point where they get nearly 100% of the plaque buildup on your teeth.

One thing to keep in mind though is that in this specific study, neither group of people was given instructions on how to brush their teeth correctly. It’s important to note that those using a manual brush may have had additional plaque due to bad brushing technique, whereas those using electric toothbrushes were getting a good brush due to the inherent motions of an electric toothbrush.

Which to Use?

Next time you go to your local PLACE dentist ask the hygienist how much plaque your teeth have on them. Should your hygienist says there is hardly any plaque on your teeth then that means your brushing technique is good and you probably don’t need an electronic toothbrush. If the hygienist tells you have a lot of plaque then you might want to switch to an electric toothbrush or ‘brush-up’ on your tooth brushing skills.

If you are already using an electric toothbrush there is no reason to switch to manual unless you are looking for ways to save money. Should you find that switching to a regular toothbrush increases the amount of plaque on your teeth you may want to keep your electric toothbrush, after all, you can’t put a healthy price on teeth!

Still unsure which option is right for you? Schedule a visit with Sirakian Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry for expert advice on toothbrushes and brushing habits.

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