Manual or Electric Toothbrush? Which is the Best Alternative?

Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush? Nowadays we have a wide variety of toothbrushes and thanks to this diversity we can choose the one that best suits our needs.

In this sense, it is common for many patients to ask us about the different toothbrushes on the market and one of the most common doubts is whether an electric toothbrush is the best option, and the first thing you should bear in mind is that what really matters is the constant brushing of our teeth.

Throughout this article we will explain the main characteristics of these toothbrushes, being important to emphasize that more than finding a better toothbrush, we should opt for the one that best suits our oral needs.

Advantages of electric toothbrushes

The main advantage of electric toothbrushes is that they have a greater capacity to remove bacterial plaque, making them an ideal alternative for preventing the appearance of diseases such as caries or gingivitis.

Another reason why this type of toothbrush is recommended is because the risk of abrasion will be lower compared to a manual toothbrush. This is because this type of toothbrush has a mechanism that will warn us if we exert too much pressure on the tooth or gum.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the electric toothbrush is functionally more convenient, and provides a longer and more optimal cleaning experience.

It is clear that the electric toothbrush has some very interesting advantages that make it the best alternative on the market, especially if we take into account the significant improvement that this sector has undergone in recent years, where we have the latest generation models that have all kinds of added details such as, for example:

Timer
Smart memory

Perhaps the main drawback of these brushes is their cost (compared to manual brushes). high price (compared to manual brushes), although it should be noted that we have simple models at an affordable price for everyone.

Remember that in order to maintain optimal dental hygiene it is advisable to visit your dentist twice a year for a check-up and of course a professional cleaning.

Everything We Need to Know About a Dental Cleaning

Some of the common dental diseases caused by poor hygiene are:

Pyorrhoea or periodontitis

Dental caries

In which cases is the use of manual brushes recommended?

After learning about the advantages of electric toothbrushes, it must be said that the manual toothbrush is still an interesting alternative in our daily oral hygiene routine.

In fact, this format is still widely used and is expected to remain on the market for many years to come.

Advantages of manual brushes

On the other hand, it should be noted that in certain situations the use of manual toothbrushes is recommended. We now know the situations where these brushes are recommended:

After a surgical operation, such as after the insertion of an implant, it is preferable to use a manual brush (with soft bristles), as this will allow greater control of the situation and avoid damaging the affected area.
During the orthodontic process, the use of manual toothbrushes is also recommended, as electric models can cause detachment of the brackets or wires used in this dental alignment process.
Although children can use an electric toothbrush, it may be advisable for them to start with manual toothbrushes. This way, they can learn the correct brushing technique as well as having a wide range of child-specific toothbrushes available (which is not the case with electric toothbrushes).

Simple tips for the use of manual brushes

In order to obtain the best results when brushing our mouths, there are a number of tips to consider.

First of all, it is essential to change the manual toothbrush every two or three months, because the passage of time makes it possible for the toothbrush to lose its performance and its ability to remove bacterial plaque and food debris.
Another important tip for those who use a manual toothbrush is to choose a model that suits your needs, especially when it comes to the bristles, which can be hard or soft.

The latter option is indicated for patients suffering from tooth sensitivity or inflammation of the gums.

Finally, it is important to mention the importance of thorough cleaning, which requires a minimum of two minutes of brushing.

Oh, and don’t forget to brush your tongue, a detail that many forget.

Agenta tu primera cita con el dentista en Mexicali, México.

Smilers Dental Clinic es una clínica de especialidades dentales. Agenda tu primera cita y recibe un diagnóstico y presupuesto completo.

This post is purely informational and does not replace a consultation with the dentist in any way. Contact the smile agents team to schedule an appointment with one of the dentists at Smilers Dental Clinic.